Aotea Ecology Festival 2026
Time: 9.00am (stalls open) - 3.30pm
Date: Saturday 28 March 2026
Location: Claris Sport & Social Club
SPEAKER SPOTLIGHTS
Chris Gaskin
Chris Gaskin is the founder of The Seabird Trust and one of Aotearoa’s most experienced seabird researchers.
He was part of the team that rediscovered the breeding sites of the once thought extinct New Zealand storm petrel (takahikare-raro) on Hauturu.
With decades of work across the Hauraki Gulf and wider Pacific, Chris is passionate about restoring seabird populations — including seeing them return to Aotea — and supporting local communities to build skills in monitoring and protection.
Izzy Brown
Izzy’s research focuses on diving petrels in the Mokohinau Islands and Tiritiri Matangi.
Her work supports the understanding and protection of these lesser-known seabirds and their fragile ecosystems.
Cam Speedy
Cam Speedy returns to share insights from his work within te taiao. With experience across Aotearoa working with native and introduced species, he brings a deep understanding of our ecosystems.
Explore the connections between seabirds, nutrient cycles, predator control, wildlife past and present, and the rhythms of nature — including maramataka.
Fletcher Beazley
Fletcher descends from 32 generations on Aotea, tracing back to Toi te Huatahi. Raised in te taiao and grounded in Ngāti Rehua mātauranga, he brings deep cultural and environmental knowledge shaped by whānau, whenua, and lived experience.
Join Fletcher as he shares insights into the Department of Conservation’s work on Aotea, alongside a powerful manawhenua perspective on te taiao.
Makere Jenner
The Tū Mai Taonga project, led by Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea, is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for mana whenua to lead landscape-scale conservation on Aotea.
This kōrero shares how iwi and community are working together to restore te taiao, people, and place — moving towards a Predator Free Aotea.
Learn how resetting relationships and overcoming historical distrust, alongside prioritising a tika (appropriate) way of working over external funding pressures, has been essential to building a strong foundation for long-term success.
