STRENGTHENING
COMMUNITIES HUI

The annual gathering of Environment Hubs Aotearoa, Community Energy Network and Zero Waste Network members and friends, hosted by Aukaha.

The hui theme this year is ‘Catalyst for Collective Action’.
Hui venues: St Margaret's College and Tūhura Otago Museum

 

Together we’re working for flourishing communities, healthy ecosystems and real climate action. 
Together we deliver feasible and effective solutions to reduce climate pollution and build resilient communities. 
Together we are stronger!
 
For far too long, the serious and sustained flaxroots mahi that our networks do has not gotten the attention from the government that it deserves. In the face of severe climate upheaval, we are connecting the dots between ecological, economic and climate resilience with practical projects.
 
The result is that we’re developing solutions, but struggle to scale them up to influence policy. Legislation is created without lessons from the flaxroots. Destructive and wasteful extractive practices continue, and communities continue to suffer.
 
Our hui takes place after the election. It is our opportunity to ensure that whoever wins can draw on our experience and knowledge to fast track solutions. We’ll invite stories from network members to learn from the recent experiences of Cyclone Gabrielle. We aim to prepare a strong message for the new Government and deliver it at this hui. 

Schedule:
We are recommending everyone to travel on Sunday 19 to be ready for the hui kick-off on Monday 20 morning. Join us for an informal gathering Sunday night to explore Ōtepoti Dunedin's local breweries and cafes. Dinner is included on Sunday night at the accommodation (St Margaret's College).

The hui starts on Monday 20 at 8:30am where we will hear from Professor Janet Stephenson on Culture and Sustainability. We will then split into the three networks for various workshops and kōrero. Individual network agendas will be published separately. 

Tuesday 21 will be the combined networks day where we all come together at the Hutton Theatre (part of the Otago Museum). The day will start with a keynote speaker (to be announced) and follow on with discussions and workshops on the topic ‘Catalyst for Collective Action’ and what this looks for the three networks going forward. Tuesday will close with a 'green drinks' style event where members of the public will be invited to join the conversation and listen to some local experts and enthusiasts. 

On Wednesday 22 we will be jumping on buses and going out to visit some sites. The majority of the group will be going out early in the morning to Karitane for a beach walk and visit to a Māori Pā site where we learn about some local history. We will then go on to Mapoutahi Pā site and then on to do some planting.  We will take packed lunches on the site tours and buses will return to St Margarets around at approx. midday where we will close the hui. We may run an earlier bus return to accommodate for earlier flight times, please answer the checkout question about flight times so we can make this call. This tour is included in your ticket price. 

Another option for Wednesday is to join the Zero Waste Network on a day trip to visit the Hamden Community Energy and Waitaki Resource Recovery (Oamaru) sites. Please contact isy@zerowaste.co.nz if you are interested in this option (max. 13 people). This tour also includes a packed lunch and will return to St Margaret's at 2pm. There is an extra cost to this tour and you must select the add on at the checkout. 

Accommodation & Food:
We have organised on site accommodation at St Margaret's College. The accommodation is $99 (incl. gst) per person per night. You will have your own room, shared bathroom facilities and breakfast is included. Please add accommodation IN ADDITION TO your ticket, we have not combined them this year. 

Meals included in your ticket are 3x morning teas, 3x lunches (one packed on Wednesday), 2x arvo teas, 3x dinners (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday). If you are staying at St Margarets breakfast is also included.

Travel:
If you are flying into Dunedin airport there are a number of shuttle companies that can get you into town. It is your own responsibility to get yourself and your team into the city centre. We recommend getting in touch with others who may be on the same flight as you to organise a group shuttle. You can liaise with other attendees on this RIDE SHARE sheet but please note we will not be monitoring this. Once in the city centre, you will not need any transport as everything is within walking distance! 

Tickets:
Tickets are available at Humanitix (early-bird prices until 1st October!). This year we have the option to pay via invoice through Humanatix so if you don't have a credit card you can still purchase your tickets through this site. Please follow the instructions at checkout and get in contact with Anna if you have any issues.

As the programme evolves and details are confirmed we will post updates here. Stay tuned!
 
Note: We can offer a special cultural tour for those arriving on Sunday the 19th. The hui finishes on the 22nd, but some delegates may also want to take advantage of being in Ōtepoti Dunedin to attend the annual Otago Energy Research Symposium on the 23rd – 24th November.


Zero Carbon Event – Supply Chain
The Strengthening Communities Hui is proud to be a certified Zero Carbon Event with Ekos. We are reducing the carbon impact of our event’s supply chain by measuring and offsetting the emissions caused by organisers and presenters travel, vehicle use, electricity and waste. This footprint excludes the travel of any participants. The certified carbon credits we are purchasing will be sourced from projects that grow and protect forests in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands and help to deliver climate resilience, waterways protection, erosion control, biodiversity conservation and community economic development.