29-30th March 2025 Gathering

Psychedelic Therapy in Aotearoa: A National Discussion

Date: 29th – 30th March, 2025

Location: Level 0, Owen G Glenn Building, Waipapa Taumata Rau/The University of Auckland, 12 Grafton Road, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.

This 2-day gathering was the main event of the project, intended to discuss what psychedelic therapy in Aotearoa could and should look like. All stakeholders were welcome, including healthcare practitioners, psychedelic advocates and researchers, and attendance was free.

Reflections form

If you attended the gathering and have more reflections, consider adding them to this form. This is a way for you to continue to participate in our ongoing discussions. We’re grateful for your whakāro, reflections, ideas, and questions as we continue on this journey together.

Final Programme (with keynote recordings linked)

Saturday 29th March

8.15 - 9 Registration

9 - 9.45 Mihi Whakatau - Welcome

9.45 - 10.30 Keynote: Cameron Lacey (Ōtautahi | Christchurch); Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for Depression – Research & Clinical Use

10.30 - 11 Wā Whakatā - Break

11 - 11.45 Keynote: Tehseen Noorani (Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland); Global Challenges, Local Contexts: Psychedelics in Aotearoa

11.45 - 12.30 Panel: On Training Psychedelic Practitioners: What’s happening & what’s needed? Fi Darracott-Cankovic, Ashlyn Hornsby, Jem Stone, Margaret Goldsmith. Moderated by Niiji Chapman.

12.30 - 1.30 Wā Kai - Lunch

1.30 - 2.15 Keynote: Jody Toroa, Anna-Leigh Hodge & Tu Wairua (Te Tairāwhiti | Gisborne); An Indigenous Rongoā Approach to Healing with Psilocybin-Containing Mushrooms

2.15 - 3 Panel: On Policy Change & Legal Reform. Manu Caddie, Julie Anne Genter, Jacek Kolodziej, Tom Paterson. Moderated by Suresh Muthukumaraswamy.

3 - 3.30 Wā Whakatā - Afternoon break

3.30 - 4.30 Breakout sessions, Round I*

4.30 - 5 Feeding back

5 - 6 Karakia Whakamutunga | Wā Kai - Drinks & Nibbles

Sunday 30th March

9 - 9.15 Karakia | Whakatau - Welcome

9.15 - 10 Keynote: Helena Aicher (Online, Switzerland); The Possibilities & Complexities of Groupwork in the Swiss Experience

10 - 10.45 Panel: Reflections from Lived Experience. Trish Dribnenki, Jor’el McQueen, Jamie Larnach, Crea Land, Sheree Veysey. Moderated by Magdel Hammond.

10.45 - 11.15 Wā Whakatā  - Morning break

11.15 - 12 Keynote: Jai Whelan (Otago); Reducing Harm, Together

12 - 1 Breakout sessions, Round II*

1 - 2 Wā Kai - Lunch

2 - 3 Breakout sessions, Round III*

3 - 3.30 Wā Whakatā - Afternoon break

3.30 - 4.15 Feeding back / Wrapping up

4.15 Poroporoaki – Close

*For the breakout session rounds, activities were facilitated in five breakout rooms, covering the following topics:

  • Te Ao Tuhono: Psychedelic Regulation & Models of Care

  • Te Ara Kaitiaki: Harm Reduction

  • Te Aka Matua: Kaupapa Māori & Indigenous Wisdom

  • Te Ao Rangahau: Research Designs

  • Te Ao Oro: Sound Space

Resource list

The following are a list of resources that we consider valuable and timely on relevant topics for conversation at the gathering: