In Conversation | Wellington

Calendar29 October 2026

LocationRACP Office Wellington

Clock6.30pm – 9pm

DollarVarious

CPDCPD hours

NetworkingNetworking

RestaurantRefreshments


Join us in Wellington for an In Conversation like no other, featuring 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.

In this session, Dave will be in conversation with a highly regarded physician, offering a rich dialogue between cultural and clinical perspectives on how to support equitable health, uphold dignity and create genuine opportunities for people and whānau to live well.


Program

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


Speaker

David Letele
Dave Letele

Keynote speaker

Dave Letele - Bio

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

CategoryFee (NZD)
RACP Trainee$45.00
RACP Fellow$60.00
Non-member$80.00

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


Location

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


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