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

6 days ago

The Moko Foundation

Kia ora!

We're heading to Panguru tomorrow to kōrero about how whānau can protect themselves against Meningococcal and Pnuemococcal.

These illnesses have real impacts on our whānau at home and we understand that those living with extra challenges to accessing healthcare are more likely to be affected.

If you're in Panguru, feel free to come and have a friendly chat with us about how to protect your whānau, what symptoms you should keep a lookout for and what you can do if you have symptoms. We'll bring kai, free stuff and good chats.

Hope to see you there - Liz and The Moko Foundation ... See MoreSee Less

Kia ora! Were heading to Panguru tomorrow to kōrero about how whānau can protect themselves against Meningococcal and Pnuemococcal. These illnesses have real impacts on our whānau at home and we understand that those living with extra challenges to accessing healthcare are more likely to be affected. If youre in Panguru, feel free to come and have a friendly chat with us about how to protect your whānau, what symptoms you should keep a lookout for and what you can do if you have symptoms. Well bring kai, free stuff and good chats. Hope to see you there - Liz and The Moko Foundation
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The Moko Foundation

2 weeks ago

The Moko Foundation

Kia Ora e te whānau,

Haere Mai ki Parapara Marae!

The MOKO Foundation team are here until 2pm today alongside many other amazing kaupapa hauora!

Our team are focused today on educating whānau on Meningococcal & Pneumococcal Illnesses. Specifically how they prominently effect whānau Maori in our hapori (Te Hiku O Te Ika), how it spreads and how we can do the best we can to protect ourselves and our whānau!

This leads us into our carriage study starting May this year ! ... See MoreSee Less

Kia Ora e te whānau, Haere Mai ki Parapara Marae! The MOKO Foundation team are here until 2pm today alongside many other amazing kaupapa hauora! Our team are focused today on educating whānau on Meningococcal & Pneumococcal Illnesses. Specifically how they prominently effect whānau Maori in our hapori (Te Hiku O Te Ika), how it spreads and how we can do the best we can to protect ourselves and our whānau! This leads us into our carriage study starting May this year !
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The Moko Foundation

2 weeks ago

The Moko Foundation

šŸŒŸ Kia ora, whānau! šŸŒŸ

Weā€™re excited to introduce our new Community Research Facilitator, Elizabeth Williams! Elizabeth recently completed a Māori data analyst apprenticeship with Te Kāhui Raraunga and is passionate about Māori data rights. She brings valuable experience from her work in various Māori research projects.

When we asked Elizabeth what sheā€™s most eager to achieve in her new role, she shared: "Iā€™m excited to gain hands-on community research experience that has tangible benefits for my hapori and is grounded in local tikanga."

Elizabeth is also a proud parent to five tamariki, ranging from 3-year-old twins to a 16-year-old. In her free time, she loves going to the beach with her kids, playing guitar, and practicing yoga.

Please join us in welcoming Elizabeth to the team! We canā€™t wait to see the positive impact sheā€™ll have in our hapori! šŸ’™āœØ ... See MoreSee Less

šŸŒŸ Kia ora, whānau! šŸŒŸ Weā€™re excited to introduce our new Community Research Facilitator, Elizabeth Williams! Elizabeth recently completed a Māori data analyst apprenticeship with Te Kāhui Raraunga and is passionate about Māori data rights. She brings valuable experience from her work in various Māori research projects. When we asked Elizabeth what sheā€™s most eager to achieve in her new role, she shared: Iā€™m excited to gain hands-on community research experience that has tangible benefits for my hapori and is grounded in local tikanga. Elizabeth is also a proud parent to five tamariki, ranging from 3-year-old twins to a 16-year-old. In her free time, she loves going to the beach with her kids, playing guitar, and practicing yoga. Please join us in welcoming Elizabeth to the team! We canā€™t wait to see the positive impact sheā€™ll have in our hapori! šŸ’™āœØ
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Brilliant update!!

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