rECOnnect Sustainability and Resilience Expo
Saturday 26 September 2026, 9.00am - 4.00pm
Wairarapa Events Centre, Holloway St, Carterton
FREE ENTRY
Speakers, Workshops & MC
We are proud to announce Cimone Grayson as our MC for the event. Cimone is an award winning Carterton volunteer who is passionate about environment and community.
Speakers include (not yet finalised) or representatives from:
Marie Doole
• Mataki Environmental Director
• Known for innovative research and analysis and
has produced a range of high impact books and
reports over her career in addition to operational
roles. She is not afraid of challenging topic
areas, complex issues or breaking new ground in
a discipline.
• Book Vanishing Nature
• Environmental Defence Society connection
• Policy design and reporting
Eco Systems | Resources | Mitigation | Adaptation
Grant Blackwell
Ecologist by training and has spent his career
working on the interactions between people and
the environment – first in natural ecosystems
and production landscapes, and then at the
interface between science, public policy and
problem solving.
Ecosystems | Resources | Mitigation | Adaptation
Anaru Te Rangi-whakaewa
• Rangitāne o Wairarapa
• Ahu Collective - a wānanga-based rehabilitation
platform for tāne and wāhine Māori
• Ahu Environmental - a pathway to work that
fosters growth and embraces kaitiakitanga (e.g.
planting crew, drone operators, data analysis)
Ecosystems | Resources | Adaptation
Vanessa Wells & Natalie Robinson
• Vanessa: Film maker
• Natalie: Marine Physicist and Polar
Oceanographer, NIWA/ESNZ and VUW
• Facing challenging environments and
existential questions.
• Resilience in action.
• Documentary: Mighty Indeed
Ecosystems | Resources | Mitigation | Adaptation
Pure Advantage
• Shifting NZ towards Green Growth
• Banking
• Governance (Nature Conservancy)
Ecosystems | Resources | Mitigation | Adaptation
Greg Crimp
Ecosystems | Resources | Mitigation | Adaptation
Workshops
- Good Lives - Speaker TBC (Seed saving and Seed raising)
- Janine Ogg - Syntropic food forests and permaculture
- Good Lives - Speaker TBC (Edible weed walk and tasting)
- Good Lives - Speaker TBC (Home composting and Biochar)
Exhibitors
A2W
hot water heat pumps
Harrison's Solar
roof-top solar
Electric Blue
small solar and electronics
Melo Yelo
E-bikes
Office Max
carbon reduction, social responsibility, and ethically sourced office supplies
Pre-Cycle
waste and recycling management
Peak Solar
solar panel cleaning
Norwoods
electric tools, ride on movers, and more
Langlands Husqvarna
electric tools, robotic lawnmovers, and more
Fagan Motors
Mazda 6E and Mach E Mustang and electric Transit vans
McCreary Workshop
Surron electric motorcycles
Wairarapa Aerial Drones
ANZ
eco-loans and insurance
Harvest Electronics
remote data systems
Watt Rods
electric car converson and batteries
Victoria University of Wellington
environment and climate research and education
GWRC
water and flooding, dung beetles, land management
MPI
biosecurity
EECA
electricity policy advisor
Forest & Bird
environmental care and watchdog
Fab Lab
small equipment repairs
Good Lives Wairarapa
Foodbank, community gardens
Bittern Conservation Trust
Enviroschools
Papawai-Mangarara Stream Community Catchment Group
planting
Kahungungu ki Wairarapa and Ahu Collective
environment and social support
Wairarapa Catchment Collective
Gazley Motors Masterton
Sustainable Wairarapa and Carterton District Council thank our rECOnnect Gold sponsors:
Harmony Energy, Rewiring Aotearoa, and Greater Wellington
Partners
