July 27-28, UoA
Supercharge your climate action in just 2 exciting days!
You bring your passion for a better world, we bring everything you need to make a real difference (including food & goodies)!
Workshops
Keynotes
Panels
Stalls Expo
Workshops Keynotes Panels Stalls Expo
Learn from Aotearoa’s most inspiring climate trailblazers.
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Dan Hikuroa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato-Tainui, Ngaati Whanaunga, Pākehā) is a father, surfer and gardener. He is Associate Professor in Māori Studies, University of Auckland, UNESCO New Zealand Commissioner for Culture and world expert on weaving indigenous knowledge and science to realise the dreams of the communities he works with.
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I am an entrepreneur from Aotearoa New Zealand, most known for founding Ethique, the world’s first regenerative beauty & lifestyle brand.
I stepped down as the CEO of Ethique in April 2023 and have now gone on to my new startup Incrediballs (alongside sitting on the board of trustees at WWF-NZ).
Incrediballs is all about ridding the world of plastic bottles (again...) but this time, in the drinks industry.
Incrediballs are compact, concentrated tabs of incredible (or incrediball) flavours and delicious ingredients. All you do is drop one in a glass (or bottle) of water (still, or sparkling, hot or cold), and drink up. Or go crazy and dress them up with spirits (with or without the alcohol) and make yourself a fancy drink.
We're launching these across Aotearoa, Australia and the USA in 2024.
I also founded Business, but Better a free online education hub and mentoring biz for purpose-led businesses and; Insprie, an impact consultancy and investment fund.
Since I was a child I have been a passionate believer that business applied fairly and equitably, would solve so many of the social and environmental problems that we face. So with BBB, I am helping mission-driven entrepreneurs start and scale businesses which will work to solve meaningful problems at scale. I truly believe we can have a healthy, beautiful and awe-inspiring environment, with fairly shared equity amongst all, sustainable economic growth and that no one needs to be left behind. We just need to do things a little differently.
I founded Ethique in my kitchen and ten years later, Ethique has prevented more than 31 million plastic bottles from being made and disposed of and prevented over 1,300,000kg of carbon emissions.
With Ethique I have been lucky enough to win numerous awards, including One Young World’s Entrepreneur of the year in 2020, and in 2019 the EY Young Entrepreneur of the Year (though I suspect that was the last time anyone will call me young!).
Insprie is a consulting and investment fund with a twist - all companies we back are mission-led and working to solve social and environmental problems at scale.
With the combination of Business, but Better and Insprie, my business partners and I are working to help build an ecosystem around mission-driven entrepreneurs, so that eventually 'business as usual', values the triple bottom line or people, planet and profit, not just shareholder value.
Panel 01
Careers in Sustainability
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Izzy's expertise lies at the intersection of human behaviour and corporate sustainability.
She is the founder of Futureful, New Zealand’s first values-led and skills-based recruitment platform. Futureful is on a mission to mainstream corporate responsibility through radical transparency around company commitments and access to great talent.
With her background in human-centred design, she previously served as the Sustainability Design Principal at DNA Design. Leading this practice, she aided organisations in transitioning towards a sustainably cleaner, healthier, and socially inclusive future. This involved reviewing and redesigning operations, services, and products.Izzy also sits on the board of The Aotearoa Circle, an organisation that brings together public and private sector leaders to pursue sustainable prosperity and reverse the decline of New Zealand's natural resources.
Recognised for her contributions, Izzy was honoured with a fellowship from the NEXT Foundation and has spoken on national and global stages, highlighting the benefits of an intergenerational approach to business. Through her unwavering commitment to sustainability, Izzy continues to shape a future where the values of environmental stewardship, intergenerational collaboration, and sustainable business practices thrive.
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Hannah Bain is a Special Counsel in Russell McVeagh's litigation and public law teams and is the firm's Head of Climate Change. In her role as Head of Climate Change, Hannah advises clients on a wide spectrum of issues relating to the transition to a low-emissions, climate-resilient future, including mandatory climate-related disclosures, greenwashing risk, the emissions trading scheme and climate-related litigation. Hannah is a member of the New Zealand Law Society's Climate Change Law Reform subcommittee, and is a co-author of the Climate Change chapter in Environmental and Resource Management Law (LexisNexis, looseleaf ed). Hannah is looking forward to joining the Climate Action Conference 2024 to share her journey as a climate lawyer to date and hear from other attendees about the mahi they're doing to advance the climate movement.
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Josephine has a passion for helping businesses decarbonise. She spent 12 years helping grow Toitū Envirocare before joining Ecotricity where she now supports the uptake of renewable energy and new renewables.
In her first role in New Zealand over 15 years ago, Josephine lead AUT – The Conference Centre to victory at SBN’s emerging sustainable business award. She has been a judge for the NZ tourism Aotearoa awards (environmental and sustainability categories) and is the sustainability lead and board member of the Parnell Business Association.
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Esther Tomkinson is a Sustainability and Strategy Analyst with a deep passion for the energy sector. She is currently serving as the Co-Chair of the Young Energy Professionals Network (YEPN). Esther is committed to increasing the diversity of the future workforce in the energy sector ensuring a sustainable future. After ending up in the sector by chance, her ambition is to increase the number of school and university leavers in the ever-evolving sector, to ensure the long-term health of energy in Aotearoa.
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Ko Hikurangi te Maunga,
Ko Waiapu raua ko Uawa nga Awa,
Ko Ngati Porou raua ko Te Aitanga a Hauiti nga Iwi
Ko Hautapu Baker ahau.
I am from the East Coast and was raised in Tauranga Moana. I attended Tauranga Boys College where I had the honour of becoming the first Maori head boy. I graduated from the University of Auckland with my Masters Degree, and during my time at the University held the position of the Maori Students Association President.
I started my professional career in corporate banking with Westpac bank in the Business and Agricultural sector. I then moved into change development within the health and social service sector, supporting individuals, families, communities and agencies within the Western Bay of Plenty. After that, I joined Tauranga City Council to help communities grow and thrive, and bridge the gap between communities and agencies (like council) that have a part to play in community wellbeing.
Currently I sit on the Directorate of the Resilience to Nature's Challenge National Science Challenge, working at the interface between Indigenous knowledge systems and western science to inform New Zealand’s responses to natural hazards and disasters. Oranga Taiao, Oranga tangata – Healthy environment, thriving communities is my real passion, and fostering the reciprocal relationship between the two. The coolest job I ever had though was leading the Chiefs Super Rugby team to their inaugural super rugby title in 2012 (and later in 2013) as their Mascot – Lil Chief! But sush, don’t tell anyone.
My partner and I have two little girls (and a boy on the way). I strive to be present and instil in my daughters the value of service, and the beauty and possibilities that comes from building authentic relationships with people and ‘place’.
Panel 02
Expressions
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Niki Harré is a professor at the University of Auckland specialising in the psychology of sustainability. Her research examines environmentally sustainable organisations, citizenship, values, the role of religion and political activism. In 2007 she co-edited the book Carbon Neutral by 2020: How New Zealanders Can Tackle Climate Change. Her two most recent books are Psychology for a Better World: Working with People to Save the Planet and The Infinite Game: How to Live Well Together. Niki gives many talks and workshops to community and government organisations about how to inspire action for a more sustainable future.
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Ben Eitelberg is the co-founder and co-host of The Lentil Intervention Podcast, an Australasian advocacy platform disseminating all aspects of planetary health.
He is the founder of Kaitiaki Endurance Sports, a group that trains and competes with a purpose; and not-for-profit Sports Gear Revived, redistributing unwanted sports gear and enabling increased participation in sport in low socio-economic communities.
Ben is a passionate environmentalist and an advocate for an ethical and healthy lifestyle, founding not-for-profit Athletes for Nature as a movement of outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate nature's importance and take action to protect it.
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As a Network Activator at Circularity, I lead our engagement and activation of the circular economy through the XLabs program and Circularity channels, engaging our growing network of businesses to develop enduring projects that design out waste, keep materials in use, and regenerate living systems.
As former Asia-Pacific Lead for Creatives for Climate and the Founder of Fine, I am deeply committed to reshaping the natural fibre landscape. I am a textile designer with a background in research and innovation from my time in consulting, coupled with experience in social media marketing.
I bring a unique blend of skills to my work, driven by a passion for creative climate action and fueled by my diverse Cook Island and Irish heritage. My mission is to approach climate justice with an intersectional lens, making a meaningful impact in the fight against climate change.
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Zech Soakai is a storyteller, story-weaver, educator and climate dreamer. Zech has spent most of the last few years in the classroom battling educational inequity and working to unlock the genius that lies in South Auckland’s young brown scholars.
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Lydia is an experienced marine scientist and has worked with manta rays since 2013, researching manta ray populations in Fiji, Mexico, the Maldives and New Zealand. Lydia founded Manta Watch New Zealand Charitable Trust and has been Project Director since 2017. She has extensive knowledge of all things NZ mantas, and is passionate about connecting others to our offshore marine environments
Panel 03
Communities
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Nate Wilbourne is a 16 year old Conservation and Climate Justice advocate from Whakatū/Nelson. He is the founder of 'Gen-Z Aotearoa,' a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and educating rangatahi (young people) through digital platforms. He has worked with School Strike 4 Climate Aotearoa (SS4CA), as lead organiser for the Nelson Region, and as the National Communications Advisor, alongside being the Communications Manager at Forest & Bird Youth. He has a passion for leveraging social media as a tool for advocacy. As a content creator, Nate harnesses the power of storytelling to raise awareness about pressing environmental issues and mobilize young people to take charge of their future.
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Katja Phutaraksa Neef is a political artist and curator born and raised in Thailand and grew up in Japan and Aotearoa. She is currently based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa (Auckland, New Zealand). Katja is currently working as the MEAL and Capacity Building Manager at Habitat for Humanity, and Artivist-in-Residence at ICAAD, and worked at UnionAID as a programme coordinator for the Indonesia Young Leaders programme across East Indonesia and West Papua. Katja is also active in her community, having previously worked for Auckland Council as a Community Climate Catalyst and is a youth leader for the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO. She has participated in field research and workshops in Fiji, Vanuatu, Thailand, Cambodia, Tanzania, Peru, Indonesia, and West Papua, with a regional focus on Asia and the Pacific. Her academic research and advocacy interests include issues concerning cultural heritage and preservation, Indigenous rights, forced migration and displacement, and climate justice.
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Since the age of five, Tara has been dedicated to disability advocacy, particularly in education with assistive technology and inclusion. Originating from Westport grew the deep passion for environment, with emphasis on emergency management coming from an at-risk coastal town. Tara is the Co-President of the National Disabled Students’ Association (NDSA) and sits on a variety of groups such as Te Poutāhū Disability Voices focusing on the curriculum refresh for 2026.
She is part of NZ Health Group’s Whakapuāwai taskforce, Ministry for the Environment youth advisory group member and national executive committee member for the Disabled Person’s Assembly (DPA). Environmental concerns also run deep in this big heart. Tara petitioned for remediation of the Hector legacy landfill in 2019 and achieved $1 million towards the project. At 19 years old, she took on the role of Waste Management Coordinator for the local council during a '100-year flood' in Westport 2021, where she wrote, initiated, and coordinated the removal of flood-affected waste, establishing the original template for NEMA.
In her final year at Otago University, Tara is the 2024 Welfare & Equity officer for the Otago University Students’ Association. Advocacy is a core pillar for Tara, wherever she goes, she aims to foster collaboration, change, and amplify young diverse voices within Aotearoa.
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Shakeel is committed to Te Tiriti and Taiao action and ensuring that future generations are able to thrive.They are a student at the University of Auckland studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Politics and Philosophy.He is currently a Board Member for the International Development Young Professionals NZ Group and also a member of Multiethnic Young Leaders NZ.
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oe is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is pursuing Law studies at the University of Auckland (UOA). Hailing from the village of Mualevu in Vanua Balavu, Lau, Fiji, Joe brings a rich cultural heritage and a deep-rooted passion for environmental activism to his work.
With a strong commitment to Pacific and Indigenous youth climate advocacy, Joe's journey in environmental activism has been dynamic and impactful. Throughout his academic and professional endeavours, he has dedicated himself to fostering sustainable development and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities.
Joe's engagement with climate activists extends globally, collaborating with passionate advocates and indigenous Guarani and Quilombolas communities in Brazil and the Pacific Islands. His recent internship with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) allowed him to work alongside experts in human rights, child and youth wellbeing, gender equality, and climate change. This experience further honed his skills and deepened his understanding of the intricate connections between these critical areas.
Currently, Joe serves as a member of the Ministry for the Environment's Youth Advisory Group, where he collaborates with a remarkable team of young climate activists, leaders, and policymakers. Together, they strive to shape policies and initiatives that reflect the needs and aspirations of youth in Aotearoa.
For Joe, climate action is more than just a platform for advocacy; it is a mission to create an inclusive environment where youth voices are heard, valued, and empowered to make significant decisions. His ultimate goal is to ensure that young people are at the forefront of climate action, especially at the decision-making process to drive meaningful change for a sustainable future.
Panel 04
Politics
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"I am a second-term elected member of Auckland Council on the Franklin Local Board. I was elected at the age of 19 and was a Co-Chair of Young Elected Members of NZ.
I am currently also the director of a sustainability startup called WasteXpert, focused on reducing construction and demolition waste to landfill.
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Richard Hills is the Chair of Auckland Council’s Planning, Environment and Parks Committee and Auckland Councillor for North Shore Ward. Richard recently led Te Tāruke ā Tāwhiri – Auckland’s Climate Plan with unanimous support from the committee during the 2019 – 2022 term, then worked on the billion-dollar climate targeted rate.
He has a massive passion for Tāmaki Makaurau, investing in people, the environment and getting good things done with our communities. Action to reduce our emissions, adapting for the effects of climate change while planning carefully for future generations are his top priorities.
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Hon Megan Woods has been the Member of Parliament for Wigram since 2011. Born and raised in Christchurch, Megan is a passionate advocate for the community.
Megan is the Opposition Spokesperson for Climate Change, Energy and Resources, and Associate Spokesperson for Finance.
In previous Governments, Megan has held the ministerial portfolios for Housing,
Infrastructure, Energy and Resources, Building and Construction, Greater Christchurch
Regeneration, Research, Science and Innovation, as well as Associate Finance.
Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, Megan worked as a Business Manager at Plant& Food Research. She holds a PhD in New Zealand history from the University of Canterbury. In her spare time, Megan enjoys watching cricket, rugby and spending her time with friends and family.
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Nīkau is a Wellington City Councillor for the Whanganui-a-Tara Māori Ward. In his time on Council, he has focused on climate action, expanding housing supply, and building tino rangatiratanga. His achievements include the elimination of anti-homeless architecture through the Urban Design and Open Spaces strategy, the funding of a Blue Network Plan to study the city's waterways, the signing of the Fossil Fuels Nonprofileration Treaty, and the passing of an aggressive, pro-housing District Plan. He is currently working to return a local marae to mana whenua, and reform Wellington's rating system to Land Value rating.
Workshops
Climate Action Workshops
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Climate Club is your go-to source for high-impact actions you can take on climate change.
We run workshops and write a weekly newsletter making it easy for busy people to take climate action. Join us on Substack today!
Want to take action on the climate crisis but unsure what will have the most impact? Come take our 1 hour workshop to gather a collection of ways you can take action and kickstart a project.
In 1 hour, we'll cover the key areas of emissions, brainstorm ways to take action, and collaborate to plan how to make them happen. Thanks to Auckland Council for the funding to roll these out in schools & communities.
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Phase 2 of the Emissions Reduction Plan is upon us and what better time to learn how to have your say? The ERP will define our response for the next five years and determine whether we reach net-zero by 2050. Come along and debate whether you should be allowed to release GHG's and how you can have your say in New Zealand's environmental policy.
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Workshop Title: Composting Walk and Talk at the UoA Bee Sanctuary
Join Adam from the Compost Collective and Emma from the UoA Compost Hub for an informative walk and talk as we visit the Compost Hub at the University of Auckland Bee Sanctuary. During the walk, we will discuss the value of composting and share practical knowledge about how you can start composting in your own life, including tips on how to start identifying useful compostable materials in your local environment.
Adam will also be available to answer specific questions and propose composting solutions tailored to each person's unique context and interests.
At the garden Emma will give us a tour of their composting operations, introduce us to the creatures who make composting possible, and showcase the incredible garden and Bee Sanctuary. We will continue our conversation about compost before walking back to the conference together.
Confirmed participants will also receive a 50% off voucher to use towards the composting system of their choice (Bokashi, Worm farm, or traditional compost bin).
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Samoan-born Tama’ita’i Samoa Faiesea Ah Chee (Lepea, Palauli, Sāsina) and Nele Kalolo (Faga, Vaimoso, Iva, Puleia, Safotu, Tongatapu) are both powerhouses in the climate space! On top of their roles at YCC, Faiesea and Nele are part of the Pacific Climate Warriors and hold international experience in climate action. Faiesea attended C40 Mayor’s conference in Argentina and Nele attended COP28 in Dubai, Emirates as a UNICEF Aotearoa young ambassador. They centre their ancestral practices in their climate work to serve their communities and bring the 685 to the world!
Pacific communities have been at the forefront of climate actions for centuries. As communities whose cultures are built from the land and ocean, this workshop looks at the Pacific practice of talanoa in the climate space.
What is it? How has it been used? How can we use it to bring about change for our communities?
Through talanoa we explore self, community, and Pacific climate actions happening in the world today!
Come to learn about how you can join climate efforts from the world’s largest region.
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Engineering for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a student-led club at the University of Auckland which envisions a future where engineering plays a major role in sustainable development. We aim to connect, educate, and empower students through sustainable engineering practices.
Let's start with "What is an eco brick?": an eco-brick is a plastic bottle densely packed with clean, used soft plastics. You can make your very own at our workshop! Don't worry; it's very easy, and we'll provide all the tools you need. While we are eco-bricking, we'll have a sustainability myth-busting challenge where you can score some cool prizes.
Now, let's get to the why: at the end of the workshop, we'll be collecting the eco bricks so that we can eventually build a planter on the University of Auckland Campus. This project aims to keep plastic waste out of the landfill by creatively repurposing it. By attending our workshop, you'll be helping us do just that!
One more thing: if you have a 1.5 L plastic bottle or soft plastics lying around, bring these along to the workshop (not a must though).
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Bike Auckland is a non-profit organisation working for a better region and giving options to people to move around the city safely by bike (or any active mode of their choosing). Our mahi includes Advocacy, Advice, and Activation.
The workshop will be a Bike safety check and bike spruce up. Where students will get to learn how to check their bike and learn what to look out for. So we ask keen participants to bring their bicycle to the workshop if possible! If you can't bring your bike, you are still invited to join the workshop.
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Enjoyed your time at CAC and now want to put your knowledge into practice? Then you don't want to miss this awesome session hosted by YCC & UNICEF!!
This workshop will be run from Sunday 2pm - 3:30pm where we'll go about how you can access funding, mentoring and resources to support your community climate action projects
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The Art of Becoming is a transformative coaching business run by Denise, a civil engineer and life coach. Based on The Being Way method, it harmoniously blends elements from psychotherapy, counselling, and mindfulness, offering a unique depth of understanding and growth.
Leveraging her diverse background, which includes being a certified life coach and having a successful career in civil engineering with one of the top engineering consultancies in the Asia-Pacific region, Denise fosters journeys of self-discovery that are structured, profoundly heartfelt, and deeply transformative. This approach helps individuals and teams unfurl the full expanse of their potential.
Join us for an interactive workshop designed to help you understand and address imposter syndrome. This session will provide insights into the nature of imposter syndrome, its effects on individuals, and practical strategies to overcome it. We encourage you to engage fully, share your experiences, reflect on your personal journey, and begin applying effective strategies immediately.
Day One
Saturday 27 July
8:00am - 9:00am
Registration
9:00am - 9:30am
Opening / Mihi Whakatau - Shakeel Shamaail
9:30am - 10:00am
Keynote - Dan Hikuroa
10:00am - 10:30am
Icebreaker
10:30am - 11:00am
Morning Tea
11:00am - 12:00pm
Climate Action Workshop #1
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Panel Stream (Community / Careers)
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Lunch & Stalls Expo
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Climate Action Workshop #2
3:30pm - 4:00pm
Closing
Day Two
Sunday 28 July
8:00am - 9:00am
Registration
9:00am - 9:30am
Opening / Activity
9:30am - 10:00am
Keynote - Brianne West
10:00am - 10:30am
Morning Tea
10:30am - 11:30am
Climate Action Workshop #3
11:30am - 12:30pm
Panel Stream (Politics / Expression)
12:30pm - 2:00pm
Lunch & Stalls Expo
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Ideation Workshop
3:30pm - 4:00pm
Closing
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