"I think Northland does it really well. Social services here are so busy, so it's a chance to bring in experts from outside of Northland in one space to talk about what they're doing and what works."
The event hosted a range of speakers including the Minister for Whanau Ora and the Minister for Maori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell, and the Minister of Social Development, Anne Tolley. During the conference, Mr Flavell talked about the importance of a Whanau Ora and tikanga Maori.
"Maori Youth Court works on the principle of happening on the marae. It happens with both parties, everybody being there, their whanau are there and it brings everything under that tikanga so you have responsibility. There's got to be something in that recipe. That ancestral line is critical to understanding Whanau Ora.
"It is key for Aotearoa, thereby for social services, businesses, the economy and our communities to understand."
Mr Flavell said a whanau-centred approach was needed to address social issues.
"A whanau-centred approach requires a major shift in thinking and structures, it is achievable. It's going to take time and requires a better way to join up services for whanau who have multiple needs," he said.
The conference also featured workshops exploring how rhythm connects people, presentations about resilience and viewing organisations through a child-friendly lens. The Raid Movement - a Northland youth suicide awareness initiative - used spoken word (rap poetry) to convey eye-opening messages on issues faced by youth, such as bullying, depression and mental health.