9.00 Conference opening and whakatau
9.15 Conference kaupapa
Climate Action Tai Tokerau Trustees set the scene for the conference.
9.30 Our kai sovereignty strategy
Lizzie Shupak-Mandeno
Lizzie introduces Climate Action Tai Tokerau’s kai sovereignty strategy based on three pillars of healthy regeneration and local. Her presentation will lay the foundations for the afternoon’s two workshops.
10.00 He Kai Aku Ringa: Food is Medicine
Dr. Lily George
Lily (Te Kapotai, Ngāpuhi) is a social anthropologist and researcher specialising in Maori health research, indigenous research ethics, intergenerational healing, and whānau wellbeing. Her work centres on self-determined Indigenous methodologies, intergenerational knowledge, and community-led research to support transformative outcomes for Māori communities. She has served in key academic and leadership roles—including Chair of the New Zealand Ethics Committee—advancing ethical research practices, youth suicide prevention, and
rehabilitation pathways for incarcerated women. Lily currently works for the Far North District Council.
In this session, Dr. Lily George will introduce the He Kai Kei Aku Ringa: Food is Medicine project, exploring how marae can act as vibrant food hubs and key nodes within a regional kai distribution network. Her insights into marae-led food sovereignty will help lay the foundation for this afternoon’s hands-on workshops on building actionable kai strategy.
10.30 Morning tea and Kōrero
11.00 Farm to plate
Nick Keene
Nick Keene is a seasoned hospitality leader, sustainability advocate, and owner of Tutukākā’s iconic Schnappa Rock Restaurant and Bar. A Board Member of Hospitality New Zealand, he is dedicated to driving
local food resilience by fostering direct relationships between local growers and commercial kitchens. Through his work in Northland’s food ecosystem, Nick champions sustainable dining practices, regional food systems and building Northland’s reputation as a culinary destination.
Nick will share how Tutukākā’s Schnappa Rock puts local food systems into practice by sourcing ingredients direct from local growers and working with seasonal supply. He will highlight the vital role commercial kitchens play in building resilient regional food economies, offering real-world lessons that will directly inform and inspire this afternoon’s practical kai strategy workshops.
11.30 Regenerative farms and orchards
Stephen Newman
Stephen is a passionate advocate for regenerative agriculture and the founder of Out the Farm Gate, an initiative connecting local farmers directly with consumers. After transitioning from an IT
background into farming, he adopted regenerative principles and has since focused on soil health, biodiversity, and regenerative kiwifruit trials. Stephen is an active community builder who has helped establish discussion groups—such as the Kaipara Regenerative Farming Group and the Kiwifruit Regen/Soil Biology Group—and organises regional field days to help farmers and growers adopt regenerative practices.
Stephen Newman will share his journey transitioning to regenerative farming, detailing his experiences with soil biology, regenerative kiwifruit trials, and the Out the Farm Gate initiative. He will unpack how local growers and farmers can adopt practical regenerative methods to build healthier soils, resilient crops, and stronger community networks. Stephen’s insights will update us on progress farmers are making, and will provide vital real-world context to kick off and directly inform this afternoon’s kai strategy workshops.
12.00 Climate Action Film Contest Awards
Awards for our fourth annual Climate Action Film Contest will be presented for the two groups – 9 to 13 years and 14 to 18 years. Extracts from the winning films will be played.
12.30 Lunch
Afternoon workshops 1.30 to 2.30
Exhibition Hall: Our kai sovereignty strategy
Lizzie Shupak-Mandeno
Strategy works best when people impacted by the strategy are involved in its design. These workshops offer participants the opportunity to contribute to the strategy. You will also be able to focus on aspects of the strategy most relevant to you. See Lizzie’s bio above.
2.30 to 3.00 Afternoon tea
Afternoon workshops 3.00 to 4.00
Exhibition Hall: Our kai sovereignty strategy (session two)
Cafler Suite One: To be finalised
Workshop summary here (under construction)
Cafler Suite Two: Inner Development Goals
Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn
Catherine (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kurī) is a Trustee of Climate Action Tai Tokerau. Holding a Master of Laws, and as a recipient of two UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Indigenous Fellowships, her career has been grounded in a commitment to human rights, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and climate justice. Catherine is a cofounder of the Whangārei Inner Development Goals Hub, and currently is an environmental educator with EcoSolutions.
What values, capacities and ways of knowing do we need to create meaningful change in Aotearoa New Zealand? Drawing on her first-hand experience of the 2023 Te Papa “Tell the Tiriti Truth” artivism action, Catherine explores the Inner Development Goals through a Te Ao Māori lens, asking how Māori concepts and ways of knowing might transform the IDGs to create a uniquely Aotearoa’n framework.
Bounty Room: Making Climate Music (session two)
Marcus Powell
Marcus Powell is an acclaimed musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist and co-writer for iconic Kiwi rock band Blindspott, whose chart-topping hits have amassed tens of millions of streams on
Spotify. Grounded in a passion for youth development and creative empowerment, he spent over a decade as the founder and leader of the Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa. Today, Marcus serves as a Trustee for Climate Action Tai Tokerau and co-founder of Within Nature, leveraging music, holistic wellbeing, and community leadership to inspire regional environmental resilience.
Sean Stanley
Here is an opportunity to engage in writing and making music. Our two facilitators combine AI music-creation skills with old-school songwriting and performance. the music developed will be themed around the climate.