Te Tiriti and Democratic Innovation - Learning from the Porirua Assembly on Climate

At a time when democracy is facing big challenges in New Zealand and internationally, the Porirua Assembly on Climate, held in 2025, offers a dose of hope that needs to be shared. All starting in the city of Porirua and on a shoestring budget, the Assembly was the first climate assembly in the country, and the first worldwide to be Te Tiriti-led, an authentic collaboration between Ngāti Toa Rangatira and the community group Te Reo o Ngā Tāngata (The People Speak). This unique collaboration and commitment to Te Tiriti led to a truly unique design, with these having important impacts on who participated, what learning and dialogues were possible, and ultimately how the city responds to climate change in the future. 

This event will include a screening of a film about this project, as well as presentations from people involved, including members of Te Reo o Ngā Tangata and co-organisers of the Assembly, Cally O’Neill and Sherryn Arthur, together with the project’s lead researcher Associate Professor Emily Beausoleil. There will be time for questions and answers at the end.

This event is presented in collaboration with Victoria University Wellington.