In Conversation | Wellington

Calendar 29 October 2026

Location RACP Office Wellington

Clock 6.30pm – 9pm

Dollar Various

CPD CPD hours

Networking Networking

Restaurant Refreshments

In-person In-person


Join us in Wellington for an In Conversation featuring RACP Fellow, Dr Renee Liang, general paediatrician and Dave Letele (Ngāti Maniapoto/Samoa), whose work is deeply grounded in community health and wellbeing, with themes of culture, whānau, food security and collective resilience.

A former professional boxer who once weighed 210kg, Dave founded Buttabean Motivation (BBM), a grassroots led health program that has helped thousands of people across Aotearoa New Zealand to lose weight, improve their health and reconnect with community through free gyms, community kitchens, social supermarkets and foodshare services. Recognised nationally through honours such as the Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year award, he brings a powerful lived experience of poverty, obesity, stigma and recovery, and a proven record of mobilising community driven change.

During this session our guests will offer a rich dialogue between cultural and clinical perspectives on how to support equitable health, uphold dignity and create genuine opportunities to live well.


Speakers

Dr Renee Liang
Dr Renee Liang FRACP MNZM

General paediatrician

David Letele
Dave Letele

Keynote speaker

Dr Renee Liang

Dr Renee Liang FRACP MNZM blends her vocations of medicine and arts. A general paediatrician, she served for 15 years as Asian Theme Lead on landmark longitudinal research study Growing Up In NZ. Currently she is an Associate Editor for BMJ Medical Humanities.

Renee is a well-known poet, recently curating a poetry showcase for Auckland Live's Summer in the Square. Renee's writing traverses theatre, operas, musicals and community arts programmes; she has been a columnist in health for Woman and North and South; she is an award-winning essayist. She was made MNZM in 2018 for Services to the Arts.

Dave Letele

Having grown up with a father who was the president of the Mongrel Mob and in and out of prison throughout his childhood, Dave understands what it means to struggle.

It took Dave a near-death experience to pull him out of a downward spiral. From there, he embarked on a journey that led to him owning several businesses, playing rugby league all over the world, becoming a professional boxer, losing almost 100 kg in body weight, and starting over.

Dave is an inspiration to thousands of Kiwis, achieving his transformation purely through hard work and dedication. Starting his platform via his private Facebook group where over 10,000 people have achieved life-changing levels of weight loss, Dave went on to found his company Buttabean Motivation (BBM), where he and his team are currently working with public health and social service providers across Auckland to deliver his highly effective BBM programs to improve the health outcomes for obese people.

Often consulted by the media, and even the former Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, Dave’s bold and no-nonsense approach has changed thousands of lives in his community and around New Zealand. In 2022, Dave was awarded with the Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the year Award for his incredible work across Aotearoa.

Nothing quite beats a real story straight from the heart, Dave will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions where you will come out the other side understanding the power of determination, perseverance, hard work, taking that first step and hope! Let Dave inspire your audience.


Pricing

CategoryPrice (NZD)
RACP Trainee / Overseas Trained Physician (OTP)$45
RACP Fellow$60
Non-member$80

All prices are listed in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) and are inclusive of GST.


Program

Program content is currently being finalised. Please check back soon for updates.


Location

RACP Office Wellington
Level 10, 3 Hunter Street
Wellington 6011
Aotearoa New Zealand


More in the LIFT series

Rapid-fire clinical updates - eDM button  In Conversation - eDM button Career triage conference - eDM button

 


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