The Australian Academy of Science is leading a delegation of experts to Aotearoa New Zealand for Taikura, the second summit of the Tri-Academy Partnership on Indigenous Engagement from 24 to 26 November 2025.
This year's gathering builds on the inaugural summit held in Vancouver, Canada, in November 2024, which centred on cultural heritage in an era of reconciliation.
Participants will focus on leading and shaping Indigenous-led international research agendas and transforming academia for Indigenous knowledge holders.
Tri-Academy Partnership
The partnership brings together the Australian Academy of Science, the Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi and the Royal Society of Canada to deliver annual summits in each country.
This year, the partnership has been expanded to enable contributions from all areas of research and innovation and includes Indigenous delegates nominated by Australia's five Learned Academies.
Through these gatherings, Australia's Learned Academies continue their commitment to advancing reconciliation and celebrating Indigenous knowledge.
Emeritus Professor Tom Calma AO, leader of the Australian delegation, emphasised the importance of global collaboration.
"We are building and strengthening Indigenous participation and inclusion of Indigenous knowledge year on year and learning from each other. We are looking forward to building on this in New Zealand and then Australia in 2026," Professor Calma said.
Knowledge-sharing platform
The summits provide a platform where Indigenous scholars from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and Canada connect and share knowledge with non-Indigenous allies and stakeholders.
The three-day event will showcase panel discussions and keynote addresses from leading knowledge holders from the three nations.
Australian delegation
The Australian delegation to Aotearoa New Zealand includes:
Australian Academy of Science
- Emeritus Professor Tom Calma AO FAA FASSA FAHA, University of Sydney Senate
- Dr Katrina Wruck, Queensland University of Technology, 2025 Young Australian of the Year
- Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC PresAA FRS FREng FTSE, President of the Academy
- Anna-Maria Arabia OAM, Chief Executive of the Academy
Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences
- Professor James Ward FAHMS, Director, UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, The University of Queensland
- Professor Dawn Bessarab FAHMS, Director, Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health, University of Western Australia
Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
- Professor Jason Sharples FTSE, Director, UNSW Bushfire Research Group
- Professor Chris Matthews FTSE, CEO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance, University of Technology Sydney
Academy of Social Sciences in Australia
- Distinguished Emerita Professor Maggie Walter FASSA, School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania and former Yoorrook Justice Commissioner
- Professor Yin Paradies FASSA FAHA, Alfred Deakin Professor and Chair in Race Relations, Deakin University
Australian Academy of the Humanities
- Associate Professor Shino Konishi FAHA, AAH Head of Section for Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia
- Professor Clint Bracknell FAHA, University of Western Australia
The Australian Academy of Science will host the third summit in Australia in November 2026.
