Looking Back
Education at Kōtare

Consideration of current threats, mapping of existing groups & networks, and collective exploration of the gaps, challenges and opportunities ahead of us.

Uncovering the different forms of power held by right-wing think tanks and associated parties and organisations; learning from community and union responses to the government reform programmes of 1984-1999; options for action now.

Topics included: Te Tiriti application in hostile times; the subversive stitch; using performance methods to support direct action; forum theatre; the ‘hunger sector’ – gatekeeping and funding food in the third sector; finding your voice: writing political columns; organisational earthquakes - how do we rebuild?; Palestine – reflections, looking ahead; learning more about AUKUS; situational analysis & ‘what is to be done?’

Looking at the concept of ‘degrowth’ – what do we mean by it? How does it fit structurally in the context of the oppressions, inequities and dangers caused by capitalism, colonisation and climate change?

Understanding and analysing the implications of the 2023 election results, and looking forward to how community groups, unions and wider movements might find ways that will bring people together to organise beyond the three-year election cycle.

Responding to the challenges of Matike Mai in 2023 from a Tangata Tiriti perspective.

Workshops exploring questions around why and how Kōtare uses tools of structural analysis and how they can be used to strengthen community and union mahi here in Aotearoa.

Taking a deeper look at what we mean by ‘theories of change’, exploring the impact on how our organisations function (or don’t).

This was an opportunity for those working in community-based organisations to try and pin down exactly how and why having a ‘friendly’ government can affect our work so much, and to consider ways we might better organise to meet, mitigate and address the challenges which arise.

A third workshop in the series run by experienced facilitators and community development workers Cissy Rock & Sue Bradford. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about emotional intelligence, leadership, roles in a group and various forms of facilitation; working with conflict; setting up kaupapa-based organisations that last the distance; and some particular tools of collective analysis.

This workshop on one of the most critical issues of our time brought together people from a mix of organisations involved in different parts of the housing struggle, including those working with homeless people and emergency and transitional housing, renters’ groups, state housing action and advocacy, community-based and tangata whenua housing rōpu, and those interested in collective forms of housing and home ownership. Participants shared knowledge and perspectives from these different bases; explored the history of housing in Aotearoa with colonisation in mind; and shared ideas about a diversity of ways forward, ranging from small, immediate reforms through to big picture solutions.Workshops aimed at groups working in particular sectors or across sectors.

Over two days, participants from a range of different community groups and sectors undertook collective analysis of the political, economic, social, ecological and Tiriti/Māori context post-election, exploring the implications for actions and priorities in the year ahead.

This exciting workshop involved facilitation and resourcing from a number of amazing artists and activists including Fiona Jack, Tia Reihana, Balahmohan Shingade, Erena Shingade, James Kururangi Tapsell and Catherine Delahunty. It was wonderful reminder of the power of learning from each other while making and doing as well as through talking. As Catherine said at the time, ‘The transformation of our relationships for justice and a decolonised future requires creativity, and this workshop gave us a taste of the possible.’

Focused on people and groups working with unemployed people and beneficiaries, and bringing together participants from both younger and older generations of mahi in this area, we spent time exploring what could be learned from our organising history, considering the current context and strengthening understandings and relationships between organisations.

Using a mix of sociodrama, discussion and practical exercises Cissy Rock & Sue Bradford facilitated this workshop which explored issues around setting up and maintaining groups, locating power, coping with challenging people & situations as well as facilitation skills.