Delivering better outcomes for First Nations and Māori communities will require governments to transform the way they work, and build long-term relationships based on sharing power.
ANZSOG’s 2025 First Nations Conference – Leave a Legacy Be a Transformer, held in Meanjin/Brisbane from 26-28 November, explored what governments need to do better, and why progress has been slow despite good intentions.
The Conference was a remarkable gathering of like-minded public servants, academics and community representatives. Over 480 attendees listened and learned, sparked conversations, connected with each other and built their knowledge of First Nations policy.
As part of the legacy of the Conference, the post-conference summary report, and 20 videos of all key and panel sessions are now available for free through the ANZSOG website, to share the messages of the conference and inspire public services to work differently.
We overcomplicate the questions of working with First Nations. Basically, you work with them by talking to them, and changing your policies based on what they said.Lil AndersonPrincipal Consultant, Te Amokura, Aotearoa New Zealand
The report is a great summary of the wide-ranging discussions and conversations that we had and features key quotes and ideas from each of the 23 speakers.
The videos deliver a deeper understanding of the issues discussed, and the varied perspectives of the conference speakers. They are also a great resource for professional development sessions, or to inform your thinking on development of a policy, proposal or project that requires building power-sharing relationships with First Nations communities, to achieve lasting positive change.
The Conference focused on Priority Reform Three of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap – Transforming Government Organisations – with sessions exploring: ‘What does structural and system change look like?’, ‘How do we support First Nations and Māori-led development?’ ‘What do we need to do to change the way we work?’ and ‘How can governments effectively monitor transformation and be accountable?’
Some of the key themes that emerged from three days of diverse and challenging discussions were:
Governments must transform themselves and the way they work with First Nations and Māori by taking a long-term relational approach to build trust and connections with communities that go beyond the transactional and open the way for community-led policies and solutions.
Indigenous governance and knowledge must be embedded in policies that use the strengths of Indigenous culture and recognise that communities know their own circumstances best.
Governments must change their internal structures, funding mechanisms and accountabilities so they can move to genuine power-sharing with First Nations and Māori.
First Nations and Māori must be able to set their own goals and visions for the futures, with government there to act as an effective enabler.
True accountability requires mechanisms that endure beyond election cycles, are monitored independently and are embedded in law.
Decisions on how to measure transformation should be shaped by those most impacted - children, families, and communities – not by bureaucratic processes, structures and KPIs.
The Conference resources cover all keynote addresses and panel discussions held over the three days, as well as capture the views of 23 speakers from across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, 21 of whom were Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or Māori.
Leave a Legacy: Be a Transformer was the fifth ANZSOG First Nations Public Administration Conference, an event which has now become a unique gathering for public servants who are passionate about working with First Nations and Māori to deliver better policy and want to build their knowledge and connections.
Public servants can’t build relationships from behind desks. Engaging with the community isn’t a task, it’s a responsibility – and the relationship you build should outlast individual programs.Councillor Mark SutherlandTamworth Regional Council, NSW