Ōtaki Summer Camp talks focus on issues, political change, and current campaigns.
2026 line up
Bianca Ranson (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa): ‘What effective political action looks like now‘
Bianca Ranson is an activist and campaigner based on Waiheke Island who has been active in fighting for climate justice and ocean protection. She is a lead with community care and self defence group Kaiāwhina, is an elected member on the Waiheke Local Board, and works as Forest & Bird’s lead campaigner for the Hauraki Gulf.
In a moment of global crisis, Bianca’s talk asks what it truly means to meet the moment, linking international upheaval to threats facing New Zealand’s independent foreign policy, nuclear-free Pacific, and the stakes of the current election. She will be drawing on past movements, recent organising such as the hīkoi and Palestine marches, and her own experience.
Ora Barlow and Wiremu (Wongi) Wharepapa: ‘Raukūmara: indigenous restoration and climate response initiative‘
Ora Barlow and Wiremu (Wongi) Wharepapa walk alongside their iwi within one of the most significant indigenous-led ecological restoration movements in Aotearoa. Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Ngāti Porou had seen the ngahere of the massive Raukūmara mountain range dying; they saw the collapsing canopy and heard the absence of manu. Both iwi have refused to accept that silence and have risen to lead this bold indigenous restoration and climate response initiative. Hear how this kaupapa has been shaped, what has already been achieved through collective leadership and enduring partnerships, and explore how you might walk alongside.
Eleanor Hayward: ‘How to motivate people to get involved in your movement to build collective power.‘
Eleanor Hayward is an organiser with Unite Union Aotearoa. She has been involved in political organising around health and tax reform, and campaigned with industrial and community-centred strategies to win higher wages in low-paid sectors. All collective politics depends on getting diverse groups of people to work together, whether in a community campaign, a union, or a political party. Eleanor’s session will provide practical skills for making this happen, sharing knowledge about how to build the collective movements that we all need to win a fairer society.
Finn Cordwell: ‘Choosing the right tools for your community or political movements’ goals‘
Finn is the Living Wage Lead Community Organiser, focused on building a worker and community alliance to tackle low-paid work in Aotearoa. Drawing on his experiences in successful community organising movements, Finn will be speaking at Summer Camp about how to choose the right strategy for your political movement. This workshop will introduce attendees to different models of political campaigning and organising, helping attendees choose the right tools for their community or political movements’ goals.
Samuel Leason: ‘Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza’
Samuel was just months ago the youngest member aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, a coalition of 40+ boats, carrying 462 activists from 44 countries, headed towards Gaza. Their aim was to break Israel’s naval blockage and to bring supplies and attention to Gaza’s displaced and starving people. Samuel and others were illegally detained in international waters and taken to an Israeli prison. The flotilla didn’t make it to their destination, but it has been a significant part of focusing international attention on the war crimes in Gaza.
Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa): ‘What needs to be done in the next crucial election year’
Kassie Hartendorp is the Director for Action Station Aotearoa. She has also co-led key campaigns on Te Tiriti justice, including Together for Te Tiriti, stopping the Treaty Principles Bill and keeping Māori wards. Kassie has a background in community organising, youth work, takatāpui / LGBTQIA initiatives, anti-racism and workers rights. Her work is guided by aroha, kotahitanga and a steadfast determination that a better world is possible.
Rara Sekar & Ben Laksanar: ‘Lessons for Aotearoa from activism in the Global South’
Co-founders of Arkademy Project, an organisation using photography to engage the public in social issues. Rara Sekar is an Indonesian singer-songwriter, anthropologist, and gardener who grounds her practice in collective care and critical pedagogy, moving between music, writing, research, and community activities. As a researcher, she focuses on rural youth, development, and visual ethnography in Indonesia. Ben K. C. Laksana’s recently finished Ph.D. focused on the intersection between sociology, education, youth and social movements in Indonesia. As a Global South scholar and educator, he is heavily influenced by Freirean approaches to education. He is passionate and active in challenging dominant and oppressive narratives through critical education.
Simon Wilson: ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once: How to deal with the worst government in my lifetime’.
Simon Wilson is a freelance journalist who writes about politics, climate change, social issues and city building. He is a former senior writer with the NZ Herald, former editor of Metro, Cuisine and Consumer magazines, and former chief subeditor with the NZ Listener. His many awards include feature writer of the year (twice), best opinion writer, best reviewer, best first-person essay, magazine of the year (for both Metro and Cuisine) and two awards from the NZ Institute of Architects. He is the author of HomeGround: The story of a building that changes lives (2022), about the Auckland City Mission’s “mothership” building and the people who live and work there, and the editor of The Journal of Urgent Writing vol 2 (2017).
[Co-MC] Jenice Jean Goveas
Ōtaki Summer Camp was the very first space where Jenice felt genuinely welcomed, seen, and included after moving to Aotearoa from India three years ago. What began as a powerful personal experience became a commitment to help build and protect spaces where young people can come together to talk politics, justice, anti-racism, equality, and the environment with respect, curiosity, and joy. Jenice is passionate about making Ōtaki Summer Camp accessible, inclusive, and energising for everyone. She uses comedy to connect people, challenge assumptions, and remind us that serious issues don’t have to be discussed seriously all the time.
[Co-MC] Xavier Walsh
Xavier Walsh (Pākehā/Sri Lankan) is a PhD candidate in Māori Studies, co-president of Unite Union and co-convenor of Stand Up, the U35 Youth Network of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi. Their union and community organising practise (including withTe Ohu Whakawhanaunga Tāmaki Makaurau and the Living Wage Movement Aotearoa NZ) informs their research…which is on personal grievances in the workplace and te Tiriti o Waitangi, focusing on capitalism and colonisation in the employment relationship.
2026 CAMPAIGNS AT CAMP
Dental for All – Hana Pilkinton-Ching
Together for Te Tiriti – Kassie Hartendorp
Student Justice for Palestine
Better Taxes for a Better Future – Mia Andrews
The Mega Strike – Justine Sachs
Free Fares – Francie Mountier and Patrick O’Connor
Protect Denniston: Stop Bathurst’s Coal Monster Monster – Adam Currie
Migrants Against the Acceptable Standard of Health Aotearoa (MAASHA) –
Áine Kelly-Costello
**********************************************
2025 line up
Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa) ‘Imagining a Te Tiriti based future (and fighting for it)’
Libby Hakaraia and Tainui Stephens: ‘The origins of Ōtaki’s Māoriland Trust’
Russel Norman: ‘Understanding the place of the current government in NZ history’
Minette Hilyer: ‘How to communicate for change’
Marco de Jong: ‘Trump, AUKUS and the threat of war’
Max Rashbrooke: ‘The economics of hope – building an economy that genuinely respects people
and planet’
Nicky Hager: ‘Ten ways to create political change’
Leonie Morris: ‘The evolving need for feminism’
Tiriti Action Group Pōneke: ‘Lessons from the Hīkoi mō te Tīriti and what’s next’, with Hugo
Robinson
Unions Wellington: ‘The battle to protect public ownership – the Wellington Airport campaign’,
with Sabina Rizos-Shaw and Ashok Jacob
Greenpeace: ‘The freshwater in Canterbury and seabed mining in Taranaki campaigns’, with
Sinead O’Flynn and Charlie Lake
Auckland Women’s Centre: ‘Aotearoa Free From Stalking Campaign’, with Leonie Morris
Justice for Palestine: ‘Taking action against Israel’s war in Gaza’, with Samira Zaiton and Ella Young
Climate Justice Taranaki: ‘Climate Justice, indigenous degrowth solutions and rising
neoliberalism’, with Tuhi-Ao Emily Bailey.
Free Fares: ‘The fight for an equitable, carbon friendly transport system’, with Deepak Nair and
Francie Mountier.
Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa: ‘Wellbeing of Future Generations Act for Aotearoa’, with Sally Hett.
Past Speakers, in no order: Moana Maniapoto, Maiki Sherman, Justine Sachs, Avigail Allan, Samira Archer, Kassie Hartendorp, Ollie Neas, Ethan Te Ora, Shanti Mathias, Adam Currie, Max Harris, Deborah Manning, Morgan Godfery, Rachel Stewart, Julia Wahipooti, Nicky Hager, Kimberley Collins, Lan Pham, Marnie Prickett, David McKnight, Eddie Durie, Debbie Hager, Lyndy McIntyre, Pania Newton, Russel Norman, Tina Ngata, Dean Baigent-Mercer, Molly Doyle, John Campbell, Behrouz Boochani, Evelyn Masters, Anjum Rahman,T e Raukura O’Connell Rapira, Jess Berentson, Tāme Iti, Te Rangi Moaho, Bernard Hickey, Jesse Bythell, and Steve Abel.
Past Musicians, in no order: Krackerjack, Mara TK and friends, Disasteradio, Ru Mundy, ONONO, SHE JAYS, Motte, Finn Johansson, Anthonie Tonnon, Cephas and the Schizmanauts, Ingrid and the Ministers, Orangefarm, Berrigan Band, Waitai, The Eastern, Amba Holly, and Ari Leason.