About us

The Moko Foundation is a non-profit charitable trust established to build a better Aotearoa New Zealand through health, leadership and education.

The Moko Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the well-being of New Zealand (Aotearoa) through health, leadership, and education initiatives. Founded in 2011 by Dr. Lance O’Sullivan and Tracy MacFarlane, it works to improve lives and foster positive change across communities.

With a holistic focus on health, leadership, and education, the foundation empowers individuals and promotes a brighter future for Aotearoa.

The Moko Foundation has a growing impact, with many rangatahi benefiting from its leadership programs and mentor network, helping them develop skills to uplift their communities.

Waharoa ki te Toi, a research center in Kaitaia, advances health outcomes by generating new knowledge. This unique partnership between the Moko Foundation and the Maurice Wilkins Centre unites over 150 top scientists and clinicians to drive impactful health research.

The foundation’s success is fueled by its dedicated staff, whose passion and hard work drive positive change in health, leadership, and education across Aotearoa.

Learn more

Our past projects

2015

Hawea Vercoe Leadership Academy

The Hawea Vercoe Leadership Programme was the rangatahi engagement arm of the Moko Foundation and focuses on empowering rangatahi to explore opportunities to build a better Aotearoa New Zealand.

Click to read more
2015

2017

Fructose in Schools Study (FISS)

The Fructose in Schools Study (FISS) was initiated by the MOKO Foundation in 2017 to rural schools within the Far North. This research is trying to understand more about the rates of absorption of the sugar fructose across the New Zealand population and the effects this has on metabolic health outcomes. The MOKO Foundations role in this program is delivering this initiative to Far North schools as a means to educate students about the science of sugar and importance of health whilst capturing relevant data. 

Click to read more.
2017

2018

CrebRF

We carried out a study here in the Far North that looked at Gene variants in Māori men & its association with height, BMI & type 2 diabetes. 

Click here to read about the outcomes of the research. 
2018

2019

iMOKO

iMOKO was a virtual health initiative established by The Moko Foundation & Dr Lance O’Sullivan, that was used to treat children in local schools for strep throat & basic skin infections. The aim of this initiative was to provide equitable access to children who require basic health care. 
2019
Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

The Moko Foundation

1 day ago

The Moko Foundation

Keep your eyes peeled e hoa mā 👀

We'll be sharing more about our study, what it means for our Māori community, and how we're contributing to an exciting kaupapa Māori biomedical research space in the coming months.

But first, a reminder about what we're gearing up to do next month and what's involved for our Te Hiku tāngata...

🤒 We're looking at how Pneumococcal and Meningococcal is spread in our Te Hiku community
👥 We need 700 Māori tāngata who live in Te Hiku o Te Ika to participate
🏠We want to include everyone in your household to understand how it's being spread amongst whānau members
👩‍⚕️Involvement includes a nose and throat swab. You'll also answer survey questions
🚗We can do home visits or you can come to us - whatever's easiest for you
🎁 A koha of $50 per whānau member participant will be provided to acknowledge your time and help with the study

Want in or want to know more? Get in contact with us - we'd love to hear from you and register your interest.

Nāku noa, Liz - Carriage Study Research Facilitator ... See MoreSee Less

Keep your eyes peeled e hoa mā 👀 Well be sharing more about our study, what it means for our Māori community, and how were contributing to an exciting kaupapa Māori biomedical research space in the coming months. But first, a reminder about what were gearing up to do next month and whats involved for our Te Hiku tāngata... 🤒 Were looking at how Pneumococcal and Meningococcal is spread in our Te Hiku community 👥 We need 700 Māori tāngata who live in Te Hiku o Te Ika to participate 🏠We want to include everyone in your household to understand how its being spread amongst whānau members 👩‍⚕️Involvement includes a nose and throat swab. Youll also answer survey questions 🚗We can do home visits or you can come to us - whatevers easiest for you 🎁 A koha of $50 per whānau member participant will be provided to acknowledge your time and help with the study Want in or want to know more? Get in contact with us - wed love to hear from you and register your interest. Nāku noa, Liz - Carriage Study Research Facilitator
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

View Comments
  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 4
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

The Moko Foundation

3 weeks ago

The Moko Foundation

He Takere Waka Nui | Intro Wānanga Rā ✌🏽

A closer look at what the launch of this kaupapa looked like here in Te Hiku o te Ika.

Inspired by the words of our tupuna Kupe - “We will never be lost; we are the hull of a great canoe.

”A collaboration between The Moko Foundation & Nōna Te Ao Charitable Trust 🤝 to empower our rangatahi to chase their dreams and support them along the way! ... See MoreSee Less

PlayHe Takere Waka Nui | Intro Wānanga Rā ✌🏽
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

View Comments
  • Likes: 21
  • Shares: 7
  • Comments: 2

Comment on Facebook

Rawe to koutou hawaaikihou te hapainga nga wawata o nga rangatahi Maori i te hiku o te ika

Cortnie Pineaha Murray

Scroll to Top