On Being Human - The Stories We Carry: Identity, Belonging & the Human Journey

On 16 July 2026, the S R Nathan School of Human Development welcomed Neil Wallace, Kaiwhakahuri Hurihanga and Arts and Justice Advisor with Arts Access Aotearoa, for the inaugural On Being Human conversation on Identity, Belonging and the Human Journey.

Neil opened not with a résumé, but with his pepeha—naming his mountain, his river and his marae. In doing so, he offered a simple yet profound reminder: we all speak from a particular place, shaped by the landscapes, communities and stories that have formed us.

He then shared his own journey with remarkable honesty. Conceived in a sprayed rural landscape, born with a disability that led to more than 20 surgeries, and homeless by his early teens, Neil's story was one of hardship—but also of hope.

The turning point came when an elderly artist named Pippa welcomed him into her home. More than shelter, she offered dignity through responsibility and opened the door to a creative life. That act of generosity changed the course of Neil's life, setting him on a path that has since led him to work across New Zealand's prisons, where he now helps others navigate change, healing and transformation through the arts.

Throughout the conversation, Neil gently invited the audience to become participants rather than spectators.





At several points, he asked us simply to pause and reflect:

• What creative practices have made me who I am?
• What has been entrusted to me to carry forward?
• What is mine to pass on?

In a world that rarely slows down, those moments of stillness became some of the most meaningful of the afternoon.

One idea echoed long after the conversation had ended: "Identity is not discovered. It is continually formed." Rather than something fixed, identity is shaped through our relationships, our choices and the stories we continue to carry. And perhaps the simplest truth Neil left us with was this: love can be greater than fear.

As the inaugural conversation in the On Being Human series, Neil's visit set the tone for the conversations ahead—inviting us to reflect not only on who we are, but also on who we are becoming.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Neil for sharing his story with such honesty, courage and generosity. Ngā mihi nui.

Stay tuned for the next On Being Human conversation as we continue exploring the ideas, experiences and questions that shape what it means to be human.