Forest & Bird Youth Regional Hui 2026 - Ōtautahi Christchurch
Event Lowdown
Find your te taiao tribe with Forest & Bird Youth
Join our Regional Youth Hui, a day of crazy learning, engagement, and nature connection for young nature lovers aged 14-25 years.
With interactive workshops, activities, and nature connection indoors and out in the bush, by the end of the day, your cup will be full of:
Conservation: personalise who you are as a ‘conservationist’ and cement it with active contributions to a Forest & Bird conservation project
Advocacy: rediscover your true superpower as a voice for the environment in the 2026 General Election
Engagement: find a new appreciation for nature and wildlife in Aotearoa and make new friends along the way!
…and kai! We provide everything, you just bring passion and vibes!
Expect unique workshops, some time out in the bush doing active restoration mahi, and networking with others like you.
Who: Open to youth aged 14-25 years
When: Sunday 30 August 2026, 10am – 3.30pm
Where: Events Centre - Youth Hub Christchurch, 109 Salisbury Street. Outdoor sessions at the Avon River by Hagley Park, and the Christchurch Botanical Gardens.
Cost: Free!
What to bring: Outdoor clothes and shoes, water bottle, and a passion for nature and wildlife in Aotearoa New Zealand!
Picture credit: Jessica Lamb
FAQs
- Can I come only for the morning or the afternoon?
Unfortunately, this is a full-day holistic experience and the best way to gain the most from this is to attend for the full day.
- What do I bring with me to this event?
Please bring a water bottle to keep you hydrated through the day. Water refilling stations will be provided in the morning
Please bring or wear outdoor footwear and clothes - you will be in the bush during the afternoon. Gumboots will be handy for the freshwater activity.
Bring a personal bag along with any personal medication, and also to take away any materials or handouts that catch your attention
Any personal snacks - we are providing morning tea and lunch, with some snacks for our outdoor session, but you may want some personal kai as well.
- I hate sitting down all day - what makes this workshop different?
Our workshops incorporate music, movement, group work, and play, so this is far from your usual sitting-down workshop day.
- I am neurodivergent - how can I best enjoy this event?
By being yourself! There will be some quiet spaces that you can escape to temporarily if you need a break and some quiet. The variety of seating hopefully will give you some comfortable options for movement. You are welcome to bring fidget spinners or other things to occupy your hands quietly, but we will have some options for you as well.
Agenda
- 9:30 am - 10:00 am
Check-in Open!
Check in, grab a seat and a cuppa, and get to know folks as they come in.
- 10:00 am - 10:15 am
Karakia and welcome
Setting the tone of the day with warm acknowledgements.
- 10:15 am - 10:40 am
Icebreaker - the best weirdest fact
Get to know your new te taiao tribe by sharing (and voting on) the BEST, weirdest NZ wildlife fact!
- 10:40 am - 11:15 am
Awa in Peril
The waters of Canterbury have been in trouble for some time, but there a few things we can do to help. Hear more from Nicky Snoyink, Forest & Bird Regional Conservation Manager for Canterbury about the issues plaguing our awa. Featuring excerpts from "Something In The Water - A Greenpeace freshwater documentary"
- 11:15 am - 11:30 am
Morning tea break
Grab a bite and a break
- 11:30 am - 11:50 am
Deep Dive - Walk the line
Nature lovers come from all walks of life. Who are you standing next to, and how much do you actually agree?
- 11:50 am - 12:30 pm
Advocating for nature: nature can't speak, but you can!
Learn what national policies affect on-ground conservation work, and how our voices have made them act for nature. Face the current youth enrolment scenario and understand why you've got to get On A Roll for nature!
- 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunchtime
Get some kai in your puku while you mix and mingle...and enrol to vote while you're at it?
- 1:00 pm - 1:25 pm
Walk to the Avon River by Hagley Park
Getting into groups and walking down to our outdoors venue
- 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
SHMAK it goes - Freshwater Testing on the Avon River
Join Nathaniel from Forest & Bird Youth Christchurch as he takes us through the biotic and abiotic health of the Avon River, and how you can test any awa to check its health
- 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm
Engagement: How to Kōrero Paki - Tell Stories
Learn how to bring out your best self when you share your love for nature. Have a gentle bush walk in teams to put your ideas into practice! Especially with Bird of the Year coming up next week.
- 3:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Wind down: Nature Connection and Farewell
Take a moment to breathe and nature bathe together before we say farewell.
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