The Art of Climate Conversation

During the Adaptation Futures 2025 conference week, under the banner of The Art of Climate Conversation a number of free public events will be held across Christchurch. These key events include artists and scientists in conversation, contemporary dance performance, and exhibition tours. The programme particularly showcases Pacific and indigenous innovation and leadership.

Atamira Dance Company

Ka Tiri o te Moana
Choreographed by Louise Pōtiki Bryant

A new dance work inspiring urgent climate action through the arts.

Atamira Dance Company presents a groundbreaking collaboration between Atamira founding member and Arts Foundation Laureate Louise Pōtiki Bryant, acclaimed composer Paddy Free, scenographic artist Rowan Pierce, and lighting designer Robert Larsen.

Ka Tiri o te Moana addresses the urgent issue of sea level rise due to Antarctic ice melt, and the profound impact of climate change on communities, both locally and globally. The work explores Kāi Tahu relationships with Te Moana Tāpokopoko a Tāwhaki (the Southern Ocean) and Ka Tiri o te Moana (Antarctica). Guided by Mātauraka Māori, this powerful new creation illuminates the impacts on coastal hapū and adaptive responses in the face of rising seas.

Two evening public performances Sunday 12 October & Thursday 16 October at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Corner Worcester Boulevard and Montreal Street. Booking information to come.

Presented in partnership with Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and Beca

Photography: Osborne Shiwan, Shabnam Shiwan 
Drone Photography: Petra Leary

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Exhibition tours at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū 
 

Join Pouarataki Curator Māori Chloe Cull, and Curator Melanie Oliver for free 30 minute tours of the exhibitions:

Whāia te Taniwha - a major new exhibition of work by Māori artists who explore the power of these shapeshifting tūpuna. Opening in September.

He Kapuka Oneone: A Handful of Soil - an expansive collection exhibition exploring the relationship between tākata and whenua – people and land – through Aotearoa New Zealand’s art history.

Tours run on 16 October: He Kapuka Oneone: A Handful of Soil 10.15am & 12.15pm, Whāia te Taniwha 11.30am & 3.30pm.

Presented in partnership with Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, corner Worcester Boulevard and Montreal Street.

Image: John Vea, 29.09.2009 Tribute to Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga (still), 2013. Single-channel video. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 2024
 

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Artists and climate scientists speak 

How can art and science inform each other to communicate compelling information about the climate crisis? This series of talks brings together climate scientists and artists to discuss their practices, communities, and narratives around climate change.

A series of free 40 minute lunchtime talks at 12.15pm October 13, 14 & 15. Philip Carter Family Auditorium, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Corner Worcester Boulevard and Montreal Street. Speakers to be announced. 

Presented in partnership with Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

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Workshop: He Kaula No Ke Ao Hou – Weaving Futures at Fibre Gallery 

Join Kanaka Maoli | Tongan | Indigenous Engineer & Cultural Educator Tiana Malina Henderson for an open, hands-on workshop exploring traditional Hawaiian measurement systems and knot technologies through the lens of climate adaptation. 

This interactive session will include:

• Introduction to Indigenous Hawaiian measurement systems related to land, ocean, and weather
• Aho (cordage) making and knot-tying techniques used in hale construction
• Building a collective rope-based structure using traditional methods
• Story-sharing and kōrero about the intersections of culture, climate, and community resilience

All ages and experience levels are welcome. Materials provided.

This free workshop runs daily from 14 - 16 October 11:00am – 4:00pm at Fibre Gallery, Level 1, 285 Cashel Street. DROP IN FOR 30 MINUTES OR STAY ALL DAY

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Tiana Malina Henderson is a Kanaka Maoli and Tongan cultural practitioner of multi-ethnic ancestry, originally from Hāna, Maui. She currently divides her time between Hawai‘i and Aotearoa, where she lives with her wife and keiki.

Tiana is the CEO of Indi-geniUS mind(s), a Cultural Educator with Purple Maia, and an Indigenous Engineer and Architect trained through Halau Hale Kuhikuhi under renowned hale builder Kumu Francis Sinenci. Her practice weaves together ancestral technologies and creative expression – from hale building, aho braiding, and lei making, to ukulele, mele, and mo‘olelo (storytelling).

Tiana is guided by a commitment to relational knowledge-sharing, healing, and Indigenous innovation. Her work builds connection – to each other, to place, and to the futures we are collectively shaping.

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Mighty Indeed Screening and Panel

Date: Wednesday 15th October Evening
Venue: The Piano 
Film: Mighty Indeed Film - Producer/Director Vanessa Wells 
Panel: TBC 
Fee: $20