Powering Local Futures

21 and 22 October 2026, Forum North, Whangārei

Our Kaupapa: Kai, Energy, and Empowerment

How do we build a future where everyone has what they need to thrive? The 2026 Climate Action Conference explores the intersection of climate action and community wellbeing, specifically through the lens of food, energy independence, and resilience.

Day One: Powering our kai Day One is all about Kai Sovereignty. We are exploring how a regenerative food system can be a tool for climate healing, a vibrant food economy and human, animal and environmental health. Expect workshops and presentations that showcase real-world examples of food systems that work for both people and the planet.

Day Two: Powering our voice Day Two shifts the focus to energy and civic participation. After an opening session with Mike Casey on the future of energy in Aotearoa, we will identify resilience hotspots and hear from our rangatahi (youth) in a dedicated panel. With the election on the horizon, we are bringing together regional candidates to answer your questions on how they plan to support a resilient, sustainable future for our region.

Conference programme

Note: The conference programme under development.

The conference schedule is below. Follow the links for more detail for day one and day two.

Conference fee

The conference is free. If you would like to contribute to the cost of the conference and to help us deliver more conferences and events, please koha to the Climate Action Tai Tokerau.

Please direct debit to the Climate Change Taitokerau Northland Trust bank account: 12-3099 0088383-00. Please include your name in the reference so we can issue a receipt.

Day One Wednesday 21st October

DAY ONE PRESENTATIONS

Presentations are happening in the Forum North Te Kotahitanga Exhibition Hall.

For more details and speaker bios see here.

DAY ONE MORNING PRESENTATIONS

9.00	Conference opening and whakatau
9.15	Conference kaupapa, Carol Peters, Peter Bruce-Iri, and Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn
9.30	Our kai sovereignty strategy, Lizzie Shupak-Mandeno
10.00	He Kai Aku Ringa: Food is Mediicine, Dr Lily George
10.30	Morning tea and kōrero
11.00	Farm to Plate, Nick Keene of Schnappa Rock
11.30	Regenerative farms and orchards, Stephen Newman
12.00	Climate Action Film Contest Awards

Lunch 12.30 to 1.30.

DAY ONE WORKSHOPS

The afternoon programme includes workshops designed to generate action. Only two workshop slots are scheduled. The workshops will be followed by a plenary session during which actions generated in the workshops can be shared.

Workshops are happening in the Forum North Te Kotahitanga Exhibition Hall, Cafler Suite and Bounty Room.

1.30 to 2.30	Workshop one Exhibition Hall workshop: Kai Sovereignty Strategy, Lizzie Shupak Mandeno Cafler Suite 1: Cafler Suite 2: Bounty Room: Making climate music, Marcus Powell and Sean Stanley
2.30 to 3.00	Afternoon tea
3.00 to 4.00	Workshop two Exhibition Hall workshop: Kai Sovereignty Strategy (continued) Cafler Suite 1: Creating a wild kai recipe book, Dr Carol Peters Cafler Suite 2: Inner Development Goals, Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn Bounty Room: Making climate music (continued)
4.00 to 4.30	Plenary (in the Great Exhibition Hall)

Day Two, Thursday 22nd October

For more details and speaker bios see here.

DAY TWO MORNING PRESENTATIONS

9.00	Aotearoa’s energy future, Mike Casey, Rewiring Aotearoa (by video)
9.30	Resilience and adaptation
10.00	The NRC Climate Resilience Communities Fund Showcase
10.30	Morning tea and kōrero
11.00	Youth Panel
11.30	General Election Candidate Panel

Lunch 12.30 to 1.30.

DAY TWO WORKSHOPS

1.30 to 2.30	Workshop three: Exhibition Hall workshop: Citizen Assemblies, Rakesh Pinao Cafler Suite 1: Creating a wild kai recipe book, Continued Cafler Suite 2: Spiritual Solutions for Healing the Climate , Peter Bruce-Iri Bounty Room: Making climate music (continued)
2.30 to 3.00	Afternoon tea and kōrero
3.00	Plenary and forward planning
4.00	Conference closePlenary