Ko Tāua Tāua. Ko Tāmaki Makaurau Tātou.           

Together weaving a thriving taiao

1 - 3 May 2026 | Ōrākei Marae

You’re invited to a three-day wānanga for collective climate action in Tāmaki Makaurau

This is a rare cross-sector gathering of people from across Tāmaki Makaurau - communities, mana whenua, rangatahi, business, government, researchers, advocates, funders and many others - to explore how we work together for a thriving taiao and future generations.

Over a three-day Future Search, we will weave relationships, deepen understanding, and shape pathways for collective action grounded in place, partnership and shared responsibility.

Why we are gathering

Tāmaki Makaurau is facing interconnected climate, environmental and social pressures. Meeting this moment requires all of us, listening, learning, and acting together.

Ko Tāua Tāua - it is us, together.

This kaupapa grew out of the Auckland Climate Festival and is about strengthening the relational fabric of Tāmaki Makaurau to:

  • weave a shared picture of the whole climate action ecosystem in Tāmaki Makaurau

  • strengthen relationships and trust across sectors, communities, and knowledge traditions

  • recognise the leadership already present

  • find places of alignment

  • weave pathways for collective action that support a thriving taiao

Future Search was chosen as a convening process that supports people to collaborate to find solutions and act on them together.

This is a moment to slow down, come into relationship, and build the foundations for long-term, intergenerational taiao wellbeing.

Who will be there

This wānanga aims to get the whole system in the room by gathering a cross section of voices with a stake in Auckland’s taiao. In the room will be 90 people who bring the voices of:

  • Mana whenua and mātauranga Māori

  • Future generations

  • Business, industry & infrastructure

  • Community & lived experience

  • Advocacy & activism

  • Arts, creativity & storytelling

  • Climate practitioners & researchers

  • Funding & finance

  • Local and central government

All voices have a role and an important perspective to bring.

What to expect

This is not a conference. It is a Future Search - a wānanga focused on weaving pathways and practical steps for the future of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Over three days we will:

  • Build relationships and grounding in place

  • Map the past, present and future of climate action in Tāmaki Makaurau

  • Share perspectives, realities, and knowledge

  • Identify areas of shared purpose and common ground

  • Commit to pathways of shared action going forward

The process also draws on Haumanu, tikanga-led facilitation and systems practice.

Learn more

Event details

Dates: 1 - 3 May 2026

Location: Ōrākei Marae

Format: Three-day Future Search wānanga

Participation: By invitation only to ensure the whole system is in the room with a balance of perspectives. Full participation across all three days is essential.

Official invitations will be shared in February 2026.

Your invitation cannot be transferred to another person.


If you’ve received a Save the Date invitation by email, please complete the form below to tell us if you’d like to receive a full invitation or if we should offer your spot to someone else.

Learn more

Who is hosting

This wānanga is hosted by Co- Aotearoa, in collaboration with a diverse Project Steering Group of mana whenua and cross-sector climate leaders.

Co- Aotearoa was born out of the Auckland Climate Festival. We’re a non-profit dedicated to fostering regenerative climate action through collaboration and systemic change.

By bringing together communities, iwi and hapū, organisations and industries, we aim to support a coordinated, whole-of-society response that builds unity, hope and long-term resilience for people and te taiao. 

Steering Group

  • Johnnie Freeland

    NGAATI TE ATA WAIOHUA

  • Sterling Ruwhiu

    BEAUTIFICATION TRUST

  • Sei Brown

    LOCALISED

  • Jay Crangle

    SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS COUNCIL

  • Alec Tang

    KPMG

  • Agustín Soto

    YOUTH CLIMATE COLLECTIVE

  • Christina Leef

    AUCKLAND COUNCIL

  • L'Rey Renata

    MĀTĀTAHI TAIAO

  • Mervyn Kerehoma

    NGĀTI WHĀTUA ŌRAKEI

  • Rāwinia Wikaira

    MĀTĀTAHI TAIAO

Facilitators

The wānanga will be guided by trained Future Search facilitators:

Miranda Cassidy-O’Connell
Centre for Social Impact

Frederick Wilson
Pare Hauraki, Pare Waikato, Tāmaki Makaurau & Muriwhenua

Arohanui West
Centre for Social Impact

The ways we show up together now will shape the future our mokopuna inherit.

FAQs

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  • To ensure a balanced mix of voices, perspectives, and knowledge traditions. The Future Search process requires diversity across age, identity, role, sector, lived experience and connection to place.

  • You’ve been invited to the wānanga as you, the person, at the intersection of all your identities, communities and organisational affiliations. Your invitation cannot be transferred to someone else.

  • The Future Search process is designed for all participants to be present for the entire three days. If you can’t make the entirety of 1-3 May, unfortunately you will be unable to attend the wānanga.

  • We have been guided by mana whenua and the maramataka. 1-3 May will be Rāmere Ōturu, Rāhoroi Rākaunui, Rātapu Rākaumatohi - all high energy times great for wānanga and a great time for reflection and planning for the new Māori year ahead of Matariki.

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  • Yes. If you feel your voice or organisation should be represented, please get in touch. The Steering Group will review expressions of interest as spaces allow.

  • Future Search is a participatory method that brings a “whole system into the room” to build common ground and commit to action. It emphasises collaboration, common ground, and working with difference.

    Find out more here.

  • The process deliberately centres relational safety, tikanga, and mana-enhancing practices so participants can listen and work across difference with care.