Come participate in discussions highlighting innovative socially and creative productive practices in Porirua and the wider Wellington region and meet people at these open sessions. Lunchtime (12noon, bring food to share) and evening (7.30pm) sessions, Monday 23 November – Friday 27 November, and one afternoon session at Te Rito Gardens Saturday 21 November. TEZA’s Creative Summit seeks to acknowledge and empower work sometimes considered to be on the fringe of the economy, and people providing enormous value in weaving together our social fabric. The sessions bring together people based both locally, nationally and internationally. They  are at the TEZA Hub, Lydney Place South, Porirua unless stated otherwise.

Saturday 21 November 1-4pm: The Land and the Healing

Te Rito Gardens, Hassell Road, Kenepuru

Beginning with a tour of Porirua Hospital Museum (upper Main Drive, Kenepuru) and then Te Rito Gardens our discussion starts at 2pm.

We focus on this special piece of land, its past, present and future, and its rich varied connections to people’s health, sustainability and independence.

Initial presenters include: Steve Wilson, Te Rito Gardens, Wiremu Grace, Ngati Toa, and members of Friends of Porirua Hospital Museum.

Monday 23 November 12noon: Open Session – Artist Presentations

Join us with your lunch. Presenters include Wellington artist Barry Thomas and local author Linda Hansen. We welcome other contributors (contact lettingspace@gmail.com to register).

7.30pm Who are we to intervene? Environmental movements and human agency

Presenters include artist Mark Harvey (Waitakere), Sharli-Jo Solomon (Ngati Toa harbour restoration), Keith Calder (Porirua Harbour Strategy Coordinator), Megan Oliver (Greater Wellington Regional Council Coastal Scientist) and artist Sutthirat Supaparinya (Thailand).

Tuesday 24 November 7.30pm: Making Home in a New Land

Presenters include Lorna Kanavatoa (Stronger Pacific Families), Lana Lopesi (artist and writer, Auckland), Kerry Ann Lee (artist and designer), Aaron Packard (co-founder of 350 Aotearoa) and Lomilomi practitioner Kawika Aipa (Hawaii/New Zealand).

Wednesday 25 November 12noon: Open Session – Artist Presentations Presenters are Wellington environmental artists Kedron Parker, Kemi and Niko and Andrea Sellwood. Shared lunch.

Wednesday 25 November 7.30pm: Seeds of Independence

What resources and tools do we need to make our communities more self-sufficient, resilient and healthier? How might those communities share better with others and in so doing grow stronger?

Presenters: Ulu Toomaga (mental health navigator and Talanoa Cafe founder), Wiremu Grace (Porirua artist and gardener), Ben Knight (Loomio, Wellington), John Poppleton (New Zealand Green Bikes Trust and former coordinator Keep Porirua Beautiful), Tina Pope (Paekakariki gardener and community builder) Alicia Rich (Porirua Schools Garden Club), Daphne Swinton (Whanau Kotahi), and Simon Gray (artist and tutor, Vincents Art Workshop Wellington).

Thursday 26 November 7.30pm: New Economy Thinking

Presenters include Michel Bauwens (Belgium), Richard Bartlett (Loomio), Matt Crawshaw (Wesley Community Action), Paula MacEwan (Koha Shed) and Vanessa Crowe (artist, Moodbank and Sharemart). To be followed by Bicycle-Powered Cinema at 9pm.

Friday 27 November 12noon: Making Local Art Space

What sort of independent spaces do artists need? How should the artist and community meet? Where next for Porirua and the wider region for artist-run space?

Presenters include Linda Lee (Christchurch/Wellington), Sian Montgomery-Neutze (Toi Wahine, Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Porirua), Judy McKoy (Porirua Community Arts Council), Michael Bennington (Emerging Light Gallery, Plimmerton), Moses Viliamu (artist and designer, Porirua), Briar Munro (Creative New Zealand), Pippa Sanderson (Hutt City Council) and Leanna Leiataua (Porirua).