This Wasn't a Talk Fest | The Hui about the Doey

10 hours ago
3 min read

We Are Here. We Are Organised. We Are Moving.

Right from the start this hui felt different. Opened and held by Māori pou, leaders and innovators in the taiao space, and supported by Tāngata Tīriti. This was a hui for the people, by the people.

Together, we listened with open taringa, to the challenges, the battles, the solutions and how people have connected and galvanised to restore the mauri of waterways, ensure greater recognition for endangered species, and oppose the destructive forces that threaten their habitats.

We all felt how special it was, and that we were there for a purpose that is bigger than ourselves, driven by a fiery and passionate aroha. The young and the young at heart – we were there to stand up for the things that matter.

Haki Keogh
Dean Baigent-Mercer
Olivia Haddon

From ancient kanakana – a prehistoric, taonga species 350 million years old, to the intergenerational battles to protect the habitat of our most endangered bird, the tara iti, to calls to restore remaining wetlands across the motu and mobilise action for Mātuku-Hūrepo - bitterns. There was a convergence of mātauranga Māori and Western Science – AI tech, partnerships and collaborations.

Most importantly, this wasn’t a talk fest. We are action-led, and we are community-driven.

The connections made at this hui were meaningful and deep, and they will endure. For many of us it was a chance to reconnect with some old-time protestors, and to say thank you to the ones who carry the signs, who sail the boats, who drive the vans, who haka on the beaches to say NO. Not yours. Haere atu.

From lifetime campaigners to rangatahi who are starting out on the journey to fight to defend our whenua and give papatūānuku the voice she deserves.

We aren’t here for the fame. We’re certainly not here for the putea. But we are here for each other, and the things that really matter.

ESF Hui Audience 2026
ESF Hui Audience 2026
ESF Hui Audience 2026
ESF Hui 2026

We literally channelled the species we love and care about - because at the end of the day, all things are connected. And when you connect with another species entirely, that’s a heart-opening exercise, and we all need more of that in this world.

Alongside insights through science and innovation, we held space, to hear the stories, the truth of intergenerational loss, through land theft, through invasion and corporate takeover and policies that are too weak to look after our oceans and our waterways.

We recognised mātua Mike Smith and learnt lessons, from his tireless dedication over many decades, to empower communities to stand up to powerful international forces who want to strip away what they see as resources and minerals - and what we see as integral, connected ecosystems that all life depends on.

ESF Hui 2026
ESF Hui 2026
ESF Hui 2026
ESF Hui 2026

He reminded us that we too have power.

That communities can mobilise, find our voices and create a situation that’s unpalatable for those who want to destroy our ngāhere, our seabed, our whenua, our life force.

There were no politicians. If you had arrived, we would have welcomed you, as part of our hāpori – not for a photo opportunity – but to be a genuine part of this movement.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou

Thank you to all the rōpū and organisations who supported us and who are passionately aligned with this kaupapa. We thank you all. And we look forward to what comes next.

This hui was a kākano – a seed – that has already started developing into a korowai. If you were here, we see you and we tautoko your mahi ataahua. Together, we go further, better, stronger.

We are grateful every day to know such inspiring, authentic people. And we know, this is the sort of mahi that is pono – and these are the relationships that endure the hardships, the isolation, the challenges – because at the end of the day – we are all in this together. There is no Planet B.

Also – if you haven’t channelled your endangered species dance moves to Dolly Parton, Islands in the Stream - weeeell you did miss out - but keep practicing; there will be a next time.