Hardship, hope and the systems that create poverty in Aotearoa
4 December 2025, 5:50pm at Auckland University, Architecture Building, Room 423-300L1, 22 Symonds Street. Poverty is a thief. It steals human potential, health, education, security and productivity. Poverty is a product of systems that have been designed, and which can – and must – be redesigned.
Registration closes 03 Dec 2025, 8:00 pm
Time & Location
04 Dec 2025, 5:50 pm – 8:20 pm
Auckland University - Room 423-300L1, 22 Symonds Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
About the event
Hardship, hope and the systems that create poverty in Aotearoa
4 December 2025, 5:50pm to 8:20pm | Auckland University, Architecture Building, Room 423-300L1, 22 Symonds Street, Auckland City
Poverty is a thief. It steals human potential, health, education, security and productivity. Poverty is a product of systems that have been designed, and which can – and must – be redesigned. Two new books – Hardship and Hope: Stories of Resistance in the Fight Against Poverty in Aotearoa and Pakukore: Poverty, By Design – bring fresh analysis to our crisis of poverty, its appalling human and economic cost, and pathways to equity.
Hear from some of the voices behind these two powerful books at the Tāmaki Makaurau launch held at Auckland University, Architecture Building - Room 423-300L1. The event will be facilitated by Rebecca Kaukau, who features in Hardship and Hope, and warmly welcomed by Professor Christine Woods, Dame Theresa Gattung Chair for Women and Entrepreneurship and Director of the Aotearoa Centre for Enterprising Women at the University of Auckland Business School.
The evening will open with an introduction from Sarah Corson of Painga Project, whose work is featured in Hardship and Hope, followed by a panel discussion with Rebecca Macfie, Jin Russell, Sarah-Jane Paine, and Leslynne Jackson, with economist Shamubeel Eaqub adding his insights to the kōrero.
Sarah Corson: Co-founder and CEO of Painga Project, focused on equity at the school gate - ensuring tamariki receive the hearing, vision and essential support they need. Painga Project’s work features in Hardship and Hope.
Rebecca Macfie: Journalist and author of Hardship & Hope: Stories of Resistance in the Fight Against Poverty in Aotearoa. Her earlier work includes Helen Kelly: Her Life (2021), and Tragedy at Pike River Mine: How and why 29 men died (2013).
Sarah-Jane Paine (Ngāi Tūhoe): Kaupapa Māori epidemiologist, associate professor in Māori Health, research director for the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal cohort study, and contributor to Pakukore: Poverty, By Design.
Jin Russell: Community and developmental paediatrician at Starship Child Health, and contributor to Pakukore: Poverty, By Design. In her clinical practice, she has cared for hundreds of children with developmental difficulties and their families.
Leslynne Jackson: Project lead at Manaaki Tairāwhiti, an iwi-led initiative guided by whānau voice and evidence to achieve equity and whānau wellbeing. Manaaki Tairāwhiti’s work features in Hardship and Hope.
Shamubeel Eaqub: Economist and commentator. Currently, he serves as the Chief Economist at Simplicity, bringing over two decades of experience.
Painga Project are proud to bring you the Auckland launch of these books and this important kōrero. Spaces are limited so be sure to book your spot.
Registration closes 03 Dec 2025, 8:00 pm