Online Hui 2026
Stronger Together: Reflections from Our Network Hui
Our recent Environment Hubs Aotearoa network hui brought together all 24 hubs from across the motu to share ideas, explore emerging challenges, and learn from one another. While we’re unable to run in-person hui, these online forums create an important opportunity for our hubs to connect with each other and have some time and space to reflect on big topics.
Day One of our hui focused on building resilient communities and strengthening our practice. Courtney Burnett from Beautification Trust shared how EHA's Climate Resilience research inspired community conversations in Manurewa about preparedness, local strengths, and how communities can support one another during times of disruption and emergency.
Later, Jo Wrigley from Go Eco led a thought-provoking session on everyday decolonisation, exploring practical ways community organisations can strengthen Te Tiriti relationships, shift organisational culture, and create space for tangata whenua leadership and knowledge.
Day Two focused on a series of sessions exploring the major systemic pressures shaping our sector.
Jo Kyriazopoulos from Kaipātiki Project opened with a discussion on the “funding poly-crisis” facing community organisations, highlighting the impacts of shrinking funding pools, rising competition, burnout, and the need to strengthen collective approaches, diversify income, and better communicate impact.
This was followed by a kōrero led by EHA Co Chair Sterling Ruwhiu exploring the implications of AI, including questions of equity, data sovereignty, environmental impact, alongside the opportunities it presents for organisations. The final session of day two was led by Andrew White from Nelson Environment Centre, who examined the “pointy end” of local government change and what shifting council relationships mean for community organisations over the coming decade.
Breakout discussions across both days created space to hear what other hubs are doing, exchange practical ideas, and reflect on shared challenges and what they mean for both individual organisations and the wider network. We covered topics including IP Sharing, how to connect with primary producers, connecting with volunteers and students, time and task management , how to talk about climate change, food resiliency and explored how hubs are grappling with AI.
Even though the hui was held online, the connections formed were evident in the conversations and follow-ups that continued well beyond the days sessions.
Thank you to all our wonderful speakers and attendees. Our hui once again highlighted the incredible collective knowledge and experience within our network. With more than 600 years of combined experience across our hubs, we have a remarkable foundation of practical wisdom, innovation and community leadership. In an increasingly complex world, that connection and shared learning is one of our greatest strengths—we are stronger together.