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 Oā€™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.Ā 

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.Ā 

Click here to read about the outcomes of the research.Ā 
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.Ā 
2019
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The Moko Foundation

1 week ago

The Moko Foundation

Before we sign off for the year we want to introduce an exciting project we have coming up in 2025.

We are partnering with ESR, Te Niwha & Otago University to carry out a research study that tracts how infectious diseases such as Meningitis & Pneumonia spread among whānau & households in Te Tai Tokerau.

This study aims to provide insight on how we can prevent these deadly diseases that affect whānau.

Keep an eye out in the new year for our information sessions, & Whānau evenings to discuss more about the study & how you can be a part of it.

If this is something you would be interested in being a part of or want to know more about, sign up with the QR code or visit our website to find out more.

www.themokofoundation.com/research-collaborations/ ... See MoreSee Less

Before we sign off for the year we want to introduce an exciting project we have coming up in 2025. We are partnering with ESR, Te Niwha & Otago University to carry out a research study that tracts how infectious diseases such as Meningitis & Pneumonia spread among whānau & households in Te Tai Tokerau. This study aims to provide insight on how we can prevent these deadly diseases that affect whānau. Keep an eye out in the new year for our information sessions, & Whānau evenings to discuss more about the study & how you can be a part of it. If this is something you would be interested in being a part of or want to know more about, sign up with the QR code or visit our website to find out more. https://www.themokofoundation.com/research-collaborations/
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MAHI TIKA ANA!!!!!! This one is close to home. Can’t wait to see this kaupapa come to life in 2025 šŸ„¹

The Moko Foundation

2 weeks ago

The Moko Foundation

šŸŒŸ Exciting Job Opportunities for 2025! šŸŒŸ

We have three new positions at MOKO opening up in the New Year:

āž”ļø Programme Lead for our Health and Science Schools Based Programme

āž”ļø Community Engagement Facilitator

āž”ļø Community Research Facilitator

Take a look at the jobs up on offer, and stay tuned for more details on how and where to apply and join us in making a difference! šŸ’”āœØ #JobOps #joinmoko #healtheducation #rangatahi #research ... See MoreSee Less

šŸŒŸ Exciting Job Opportunities for 2025! šŸŒŸ We have three new positions at MOKO opening up in the New Year: āž”ļø Programme Lead for our Health and Science Schools Based Programme āž”ļø Community Engagement Facilitator āž”ļø Community Research Facilitator Take a look at the jobs up on offer, and stay tuned for more details on how and where to apply and join us in making a difference! šŸ’”āœØ #JobOps #JoinMOKO #HealthEducation #Rangatahi #Research
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Waitangi Piripi

The Moko Foundation

1 month ago

The Moko Foundation

šŸ§¬ MOKO SCHOLARSHIP šŸ§¬
ā³ KOTAHI WIKI E TOE ANA ā³

Kia ora e te iwi, only 1 week left to apply for the MOKO Foundation's Te Manu Kai Mātauranga Scholarship for 2025!

Weā€™re offering 5 scholarships, each worth $2,000, to rangatahi Māori with links to Te Hiku pursuing health or sciences at the tertiary level in 2025. This opportunity is in partnership with the Maurice Wilkins Centre, as part of our Nōna Te Ao health science programme.

šŸ“ To apply, complete the form here:
forms.gle/iYTgbGmHzGdAWpDa7

Applications close on 1 December 2024 at 6 PM.

Please share this message across your networks and to any whānau who may be interested.

#MOKOFoundation #TeManuKaiMātauranga #ScholarshipOpportunity #RangatahiMāori #HealthSciences #MauriceWilkinsCentre ... See MoreSee Less

šŸ§¬ MOKO SCHOLARSHIP šŸ§¬ ā³ KOTAHI WIKI E TOE ANA ā³ Kia ora e te iwi, only 1 week left to apply for the MOKO Foundations Te Manu Kai Mātauranga Scholarship for 2025! Weā€™re offering 5 scholarships, each worth $2,000, to rangatahi Māori with links to Te Hiku pursuing health or sciences at the tertiary level in 2025. This opportunity is in partnership with the Maurice Wilkins Centre, as part of our Nōna Te Ao health science programme. šŸ“ To apply, complete the form here: https://forms.gle/iYTgbGmHzGdAWpDa7 Applications close on 1 December 2024 at 6 PM. Please share this message across your networks and to any whānau who may be interested. #MOKOFoundation #TeManuKaiMātauranga #ScholarshipOpportunity #RangatahiMāori #HealthSciences #MauriceWilkinsCentre
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