Climathon: Innovation, inspiration

My Saturday began early, sheltering from persistent rain at University of Waikato’s Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts with other dedicated change makers from around the Waikato.

Immediately, I felt inspired to be in a room with others of diverse backgrounds and expertise, who share an ambition to create new pathways for a more sustainable Waikato.

Climathon Waikato Ideathon is a hackathon-style event where participants develop initiatives responding to local challenges relating to food systems, transport, energy, biodiversity and empowerment were developed. Having studied an environmental management-focused Bachelor of Science degree, this competition was right up my alley.

My team chose to tackle empowerment issues, exploring how a web-based platform could connect local conservation groups with creative talent, so technological and artistic methods of storytelling can be used to expand their community engagement and gain more volunteers. After a long day of brainstorming and discussions with experts, it was time to pitch our projects to the panel.

A campaign to reduce all speed limits to 30km/h in central Hamilton (Kirikiriroa) claimed victory at the evening gala and received the $1000 prize. Hearing about one participant’s experience of getting around the city as a disabled person persuaded judges that safety considerations should be reflected in urban decision-making across Aotearoa New Zealand.

While the challenge lies ahead to convince car commuters, I admire them for pushing the dialogue of prioritising peoples’ safety above the convenience of using these pollutive vehicles. The team encouraged us to have empathy and understand that sacrifices of our privileges are necessary for delivering meaningful solutions. Because if we advocate for our systems to continue as they are, how will we ever achieve positive change?

Overall, it was a fun day of networking, and I gained leadership skills valuable to my professional development. My team walked away with the Community Prize, and I left reassured that Waikato has a wealth of innovative thinkers who will do great mahi to combat climate change.

I left reassured that Waikato has a wealth of innovative thinkers who will do great mahi to combat climate change.

The event was organised by Impact Hub Waikato. Part of the global Impact Hub community, this group facilitates opportunities for dreamers and do-ers to come together, to share ideas and amplify their impact.

Waikato Regional Council helped support Climathon through our support of the Waikato Wellbeing Project.

Photos: Pou Digital