Intervention Study

We have developed an anti-bias training for teachers (Hāpaitia te ngākau aroha – Elevate empathy) that integrates a virtual reality experience. The anti-bias training, developed and delivered by Dr Hana O’Regan (ONZM) and Professor Christine Rubie-Davies (MNZM), and the innovative use of technology that enables teachers to ‘walk in the shoes of their students’, has been designed to address the bias and racism that children can and do experience at school. Now that the training has been developed, we are recruiting schools, teachers and their students to assess the efficacy of the training.

We have successfully recruited teachers from nine schools who are currently participating in the anti-bias training during Term 2, 2025. The training is comprised of two in-person hui (3 hours duration) and three Zoom sessions (2 hours duration). Each hui and Zoom session is offered twice to enhance the accessibility of the training. The Zoom sessions are also recorded. The training is delivered free of charge by Dr Hana O’Regan (ONZM) and Professor Christine Rubie-Davies (MNZM). The VR experience has been incorporated into the first in-person hui. Both in-person hui include a catered meal and teachers are entered into a prize draw for each survey they complete. 

The first training sessions have been a success, leading the team to organise another offering of the anti-bias training in 2026. We are looking to recruit whole primary, intermediate, and secondary schools. Teachers from each school will be split into two groups, with one group completing the training in Term 2, 2026 and the other completing it in Term 3, 2026 to reduce the burden on schools. We will collect data from teachers and students at three timepoints throughout the year to help us assess the impact of the training.

Expression of interest applications for the 2026 anti-bias training have now closed. Please contact us for further information.