Come and join Burnett Foundation Aotearoa, Wheako Pōneke, the Positive Speakers Bureau, Body Positive and The Dowse Art Museum to remember the HIV/AIDS crisis, those we lost, and the impact it had and still has on so many people and communities in Aotearoa and the world, on this 1st of December 2024 - World AIDS Day.

We invite you to a panel discussion on HIV stigma, sharing the lived experiences of people living
with HIV in Aotearoa in 2024. 

Following the discussion a fabric panel of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display, on loan from Te Papa. These panels exist as memorials to those who have died of HIV-related illnesses. Each fabric panel is lovingly created by family, friends, partners, or co-workers and is as unique as the person it remembers and those who created it.

Confirmed Speakers:

Abby Leota (Chair)
Project Lead Ageing with HIV – Positive Speakers Bureau, Positive Women

With a career in both the not-for-profit and private sectors, Abby brings her knowledge and experience of building organisational capability, project management, and advocacy for sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Judith Mukakayange (Speaker)
Community Support and Health Coordinator – Positive Speakers Bureau, Positive Women

Judith is both a mother and grandmother. She was given an HIV diagnoses when she arrived in Aotearoa in 1998 from Rwanda. Judith has a Bachelor's Degree in Health Promotion. She has worked with people living with HIV and communities affected by HIV in Aotearoa since 2014. Judith has worked with several communities, including hard to reach communities such as MSM.

Ciomarah Afele (Speaker)
HIV testing coordinator at Toitū Te Ao

With a deep commitment to providing support to people living with HIV and their Aiga / Whānau, her work as the Testing Coordinator involves testing and finding innovative ways to reach Māori and Pasifika communities to encourage them to get tested.

Ryan Falck (Speaker)
Member of Body Positive Inc.

Body Positive Inc. a peer support organisation founded and run for all, by people living with HIV. Together with Positive Speakers Bureau, City Gallery would like to invite Ryan to join the panel to speak from the perspective of the younger demographic of HIV Positive gay men.