2022 Online Conference
Recordings are no longer available on this page, but we have kept a list of the speakers for your reference.
Keynote Speakers
Indigenous Wisdom: Māori ways of being, learning, healing
Mike Smith
Mike Smith (Ngā Puhi and Ngāti Kahu) is the Co-Chair of Pou Take Ahurangi, the National Iwi Chairs Forum Climate Change Pou. He will present the Rauora model, an Indigenous Worldview lens that was initially developed as a framework for the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan. Rauora Framework link.
Rauora depicts a worldview indigenous to Aotearoa, which centralises interconnection, collectivity, holistic wellbeing and intergenerational equity within a changing environment. Importantly, Mike will also outline ways that we can transition to this Rauora state from the extractive economy that we find ourselves in.
Te Kawa Robb
Te Kawa (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pūkeko, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi) is an educator, storyteller, researcher, photographer, gardener, diver, voyager, and father. Based in Te Upoko o Te Ika, he is kaiārahi for Para Kore.
Te Kawa focuses on providing opportunities for our young people and communities, particularly Māori, to explore taiao deepen the connections to taiao (natural environment), reclaim language and intergenerational knowledge, and use those skills to build resilience, strengthen communities, and restore taiao in ways that uphold manaakitanga, rangatiratanga, and intergenerational responsibilities.
Hauora | Wellbeing & Nature Connection
Our online day included breaks to get offline and look after our personal wellbeing. Below are some links we shared for simple nature connection and wellbeing activities (click on bold text to visit links).
Nature Connection activities from Whenua Iti Outdoors
Birdsong Mindfulness, from DOC and Sparklers
Near, There, Far activity, from DOC
Art Nature Connectors from Kids Greening Taupō
Connecting to Place
Panel Discussion
Nurturing holistic relationships with nature, culture, community
Paul Murray (Para Kore) facilitated a discussion with our panel members Tane Manukonga, Arihia Latham, Justice Hetaraka, Mike Elkington and Diane Harris.
This was followed by concurrent sessions with each member of the panel sharing more about their work:
Tane Manukonga: Stories of School-Hapū Connections & Reconnection to the Whenua
Arihia Latham: Cultural Safety in Environmental Education
Justice Hetaraka: Whakapapa and Connection to Place; Arts, Te Ao Māori and History
Mike Elkington: Strengthening Connection with Te Taiao
Diane Harris: Learning in Nature, Local Curriculum and Wellbeing
Afternoon Keynote
Opportunities, Challenges and Hope in our Learning Spaces
Rachel Bolstad
Rachel is Kaihautū Rangahau | Chief Researcher for the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER). She constantly strives to develop her own, and other people's thinking about education, why it matters, and how our learning and teaching systems may need to change to match the opportunities and demands of a changing world.
Rachel is currently leading a research project to explore systemic educational responses to climate change. As Keynote Speaker for our afternoon session, Rachel looked at opportunities, challenges and hope in our learning spaces in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Read more about Rachel's work here.
Rangatahi | Youth Panel
Elevating our voices and empowering action
Our youth panel discussion, organised by Manatū mo te Taiao | Ministry for the Environment (MfE), was facilitated by Ginny Ellis - Karifi. Ginny is currently completing her Masters in politics at the University of Otago. She has worked closely with MfE and young people from across Aotearoa to develop a youth engagement framework that the Ministry can use when seeking youth input on government work.
She was joined by Shreejana Chhetri, Kathleen Derrick and Jaden Movold, who shared their experiences and advice for educators.
Creativity and Youth Voice
We shared examples of youth voice and creativity with a series of short videos (between 2 - 3 minutes). Click on the bold text below to watch the videos and find out more about these programmes that encourage young people to share their messages and perspectives with others.
Lily Rumball, Sumner School, Yr 7-8 spoken word, Speaking 4 the Planet 2022
Isla Hudson, St Mary’s College, 11-14 yrs, Young Reporters for the Environment, Keep NZ Beautiful WATCH
Sophie Ineson, Southland Girls’ High School, 11-14 yrs, Young Reporters for the Environment WATCH
Remember your Atuatanga, Verses in Vision: Truths of Tāmaki, Action Education
Written and performed by Kaiya, Ava, Arahi, Piremina, Koromiko, Matariki and Manaia WATCH
Learning Spaces Concurrent Sessions
Stories, Research, Inspiration, Resources
Our afternoon included two rounds of concurrent sessions, with a range of speakers including teachers, education providers, young people and researchers.
Victoria Bernard
Beyond a Siloed Approach to Gardening: Models for Integration in Schools
Sian Carvell, Jenny Ritchie, Keegan Verster
Climate Change Education and Wellbeing: With Understanding Comes Resilience
Kate Laughter and David Vailala
Young Leaders Sustainability Programme: Empowering Youth to Take Action
Katie Higgins and Kylee Hanlon-Judd
Transitions from Early Childhood to Primary - Community Connectedness
Thea DePetris
Research - Benefits and Integration of Nature-based Education in our School System
Alexandra Palmer and Sally Birdsall
Research - Achieving Predator Free 2050: Challenges for Society and Education
Celia Hogan
Teaching in Nature - Bush Kindy Case Study
Bianca Woyak
Environmental Science and Local Curriculum through Student Led Action
Kate Rivers (with students Harriette and Lottie)
Integrated, Student-led Learning and Collaborative Teaching
Sophie Watson
Levers of Change: Embedding Localised, Place-Responsive Experiences in Schools
Sally Carson
Signs of the Sea: Activating Conversations to Protect our Coastal Ecosystems
Chris Eames and Sally Birdsall
Research - Climate Change Education, Student Agency and Hope
Emma Passey
Research - Shifting Perceptions of Belonging and Heritage in Aotearoa New Zealand
