Oamaru hosts Ripple Effect 5 Conference

Published on 17 September 2025

Fifth family and sexual violence conference for field professionals.

Waitaki District Council through Stronger Waitaki will be hosting the fifth Ripple Effect Conference on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 of September, at the Oamaru Opera House.

Focusing on addressing issues of family and sexual violence, the conference will be attended by 180 professionals from around the country, with a large number coming from the Otago Region.

Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, The Hon. Karen Chhour will be speaking to the conference, and offering a Q&A session for attendees. This is just one of many workshops being held across the two days.

While the conference is for those working to reduce the harm of family and sexual violence, there is a public workshop – Beyond The Screen: Parenting In The Digital Era – with therapist and TEDx speaker Jo Robertson.

The workshop will be held at the Oamaru Opera House between 7pm and 8:30pm on Thursday 25 September. It is free to attend, but registration is required - Beyond the Screen: Parenting in the Digital Era Tickets, Thu, Sep 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite

Conference organiser Ali McIntyre, of Waitaki District Council’s Stronger Waitaki, says:

“We’re proud to host the fifth Ripple Effect, focusing on an issue which resonates with our community. We have attendees from around the country, and are pleased the Minister will be attending. By offering this public workshop, we hope to help inform and support families in Waitaki to have important conversations with their children, and create a safer environment”

The Ripple Effect Conference is organised by Stronger Waitaki, but is fully funded by the Ministry of Social Development.

ENDS

media@waitaki.govt.nz