North Island Hui 2024
This year’s North Island Hui took place in Hawke's Bay, bringing our 16 Te Ika-a-Māui hub members' teams together for three days of connecting and sharing inspiring kōrero with an awesome speaker line-up. "What will 2050 look like?" was the hui's theme, a backdrop to think about ways to achieve a long-term shared vision for community and environment wellbeing.
Te Mata Peak Hīkoi
We had our opening dinner and panel at the stunning National Aquarium of New Zealand, with a inspiring welcome from Napier's Mayor Kirsten Wise, and Hawke's Bay Regional Councillor Sophie Siers. After dinner, our four panelists - Jo Wrigley (Go Eco), Carla Gee (EcoMatters Environment Trust) Sterling Ruwhiu (Beautification Trust), and our Executive Officer, Georgina Morrison - shared their unique, complementary perspectives for 2050, and attendees were invited to add their thoughts to our 2050 collective vision board.
Our opening panel kick started the kōrero about a shared vision for 2050
The following two days' sessions focused on providing tools to deliver positive impact. Dr. George Laking and John Bell shared important findings of their Community Resilience Research; Tom Kay, from Forest & Bird, made a case for nature-based solutions to climate change talking about the Room for Rivers case; Katie Patrick walked us through some fun and effective tools for behaviour change; Marilyn Scott from Sustainable HB - Centre for Climate and Resilience shone a light on allyship and being good tangata tiriri; James Newth talked about impact investment; and Monique Kelly and Aaron Thule, from Wao Aotearoa, introduced us to the Wao systems shift mahi and showcased a great example of network building. Our final session was a workshop focused on mental health and wellbeing by Dr Richard Drexel.
A huge thank you to the Sustainable HB - Centre for Climate and Resilience team for being absolutely amazing hosts and doing an awesome job co-organising this hui with our team. Big mihi to all speakers and attendees for coming along and sharing your passion and knowledge.
More hui highlights
Thank you also to our wonderful sponsors who helped make this hui possible: Napier City Council - Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri, Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Hapī Organic Café, and Weleda; and to presenters who generously donated their time: Dr Jamie Newth, Dr Richard Drexel, Katie Patrick, and Monique Kelly and Aaron Thule from Wao.
Group shot to wrap up these inspiring three days
