Ōtaki Summer Camp

Returned home Heart full, voice gone, gratitude overflowing 🥹🎤 MC’ing @otakisummercamp was 4 days of beautiful chaos and non-stop fun. Was glad to add my sillyness to some hardcore discussions on #politics #climatechange #racism #tetiriti

Camp kicks off ĀPŌPŌ - hooray! 👉☂⛺🥾🌧🌦BRING YOUR WET WEATHER GEAR, e te whānau! The rain will clear but the ground will be wet at first. Adi and crew have been hard at work making the farm the place you know and love (or will meet and love). We cannot wait to see you here. Anyone feeling FOMO is welcome to get a ticket still: Supported tix are $30, full price $140.

📥🦑SCREEN PRINTERS CALL OUT! WE WANT YOU! We're pretty fond of the screen printing set-up at Camp. This year we're calling on our near-future artists-in-residence to come play/ support. 👉Screen printers: want to come help some? 🖌Please dm us! More hands make for bright work! Bring screens and IMAGES you'd like to share! 👉Screen printees: like what you see? Bring a t-shirt, make your mark and take Summer Camp away with you, in your hearts AND ON YOUR BACKS. Or fronts. You do you. ______ Images: -A hand smoothes out ink onto a screen, making a print of a sign reading 'Ōtaki Summer Camp' -Organising crew Lillian Balfour smiles as she shows the handprinted 'Ōtaki Summer Camp' t-shirt she's wearing. Beach and island in the background.

🎤CAMP 2026: MC ANNOUNCEMENT 🎤 🥁🥁🥁 It's...⚡⚡XAVIER WALSH⚡⚡ 🗓 16-19 January =next week! 👉Tickets - including $30 supported tix at: 🌐 Xavier (Pākehā/Sri Lankan) is a PhD candidate in Māori Studies, researching personal grievances in the workplace and te Tiriti o Waitangi, focusing on capitalism and colonisation in the employment relationship. Their research is influenced by their union and community organising work, including as co-president of Unite Union, co-convenor of Stand Up, the U35 Youth Network of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, and with Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga Tāmaki Makaurau and the Living Wage Movement Aotearoa NZ. Last seen in Ōtaki as Camp 2025 co-MC, they're coming back because 🎤"Ōtaki is a place where we can build community, catch up with friends old and new, and energise us for the year ahead". 🎤 True, true. This year, starting THIS FRIDAY, Xavier joins Jenice Goveas as Camp co-wranglers and energisers. Nau mai haere mai e hoa mā. Get your tickets – including easy-as $30 supported tickets – now. 👉 👉 $140 for Fri 16th Jan' arvo - Mon 19th arvo = everything 👉Supported tickets: $30 👉For people aged 17-35 or so here for political change: strategic tips and shared actions, collaboration and community. On an organic farm. With walks, talks, kai and camping. Whanaungatanga, kotahitanga, taiao. @teohutamaki @livingwagenz @uniteunionaotearoa @nzctu @bianca.ranson @kaiawhina_tamaki @uniteunionaotearoa @actionstationnz @freefares.nz @dentalforallnz @sjp.poneke @samuel.leason @raukumarapaemaunga @sjp.poneke @350aotearoa @ss4cwelly @livingwagenz @bettertaxaotearoa @freefares.nz @younggreensnz @younglabour_nz @ponekeantifa @wellingtontimebank @forestandbirdyouth @forestandbird @greenpeacenz @poneke4palestine @just4pal @climateliberationaotearoa @arkademyproject @te_kuaka @climateactionaotearoa @radioactive.fm @bianca.ranson @jenice_the_menace3 @makeit16nz

🎤CAMP 2026: SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT 🎤 🥁🥁🥁 It's...⚡⚡BIANCA RANSON⚡⚡ 🗓16-19 January 2026. 👉Tickets - including $30 supported tix - AND ALL ANNOUNCED SPEAKERS AND CAMPAIGNS at: 🌐 Bianca (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa) is an activist and campaigner based on Waiheke Island who has been active in fighting for climate justice and ocean protection. She is a lead with community care and self defence group Kaiāwhina, is an elected member on the Waiheke Local Board, and works as Forest & Bird’s lead campaigner for the Hauraki Gulf. In a moment of global crisis, Bianca’s talk will ask what it truly means to meet the moment linking international upheaval to threats facing New Zealand’s independent foreign policy, nuclear-free Pacific, and the stakes of the current election. She will be drawing on past movements, recent organising such as the hīkoi and Palestine marches, and her own experience to outline ‘What effective political action looks like now'. We cannot wait. Also, we don't have to for long because Camp in in ONE WEEK! 👉Tickets: 👉 $140 👉Supported: $30 👉For people (aged 17-35 or so) here for political change: four days of strategic tips and shared actions, collaboration and community. On an organic farm. With walks, talks, kai and camping. Whanaungatanga, kotahitanga, taiao. @bianca.ranson @kaiawhina_tamaki @uniteunionaotearoa @actionstationnz @freefares.nz @dentalforallnz @sjp.poneke @samuel.leason @raukumarapaemaunga @sjp.poneke @350aotearoa @ss4cwelly @livingwagenz @bettertaxaotearoa @freefares.nz @younggreensnz @younglabour_nz @ponekeantifa @wellingtontimebank @forestandbirdyouth @forestandbird @greenpeacenz @poneke4palestine @just4pal @climateliberationaotearoa @arkademyproject @te_kuaka @climateactionaotearoa @radioactive.fm @bianca.ranson @jenice_the_menace3

Carpooling! that's right! if you need a lift to camp, make sure you have registered for camp and then join our private carpooling FB group. 👉Post your requests or offers, lets make it happen whānau! 👉To and from welly, or further afield! 👉 If you have specific access needs e.g vehicle to accomodate guide dog or wheelchair, DM or email us. @hello_ !!re_email!!_otakisummercamp.com Public transport – shuttle (ONCE REGISTERED -so you're on our list) If you need picking up from Ōtaki train station, or a bus stop (either on the old SH1, or in central Ōtaki) just send us an email with TRANSPORT in the subject line and your details, we'll add you to the shuttle list. Note: more details re public transport to Ōtaki are available under the FAQs on the website. Finish time on Monday We’ll now be finishing at 2pm on Monday (rather than 3.30pm as we have done in previous years). 🗓16-19 January 2026. 👉Tickets AND ALL ANNOUNCED SPEAKERS AND CAMPAIGNS at: 🌐 @uniteunionaotearoa @actionstationnz @freefares.nz @dentalforallnz @sjp.poneke @samuel.leason @raukumarapaemaunga @sjp.poneke @350aotearoa @ss4cwelly @livingwagenz @bettertaxaotearoa @freefares.nz @younggreensnz @younglabour_nz @ponekeantifa @wellingtontimebank @forestandbirdyouth @forestandbird @greenpeacenz @poneke4palestine @just4pal @climateliberationaotearoa @arkademyproject @te_kuaka @climateactionaotearoa @radioactive.fm @bianca.ranson @jenice_the_menace3

Tag a friend who would be into this 👀
 We’re heading to Ōtaki Summer Camp and have access to limited discounted tickets 🎟️ Email [email protected] if you want one! Four days of politics, kōrero, music and nature with people from around the motu. For more info about the camp, head to @otakisummercamp

It's a new year - an election year! A lot is at stake for our vulnerable communities, ecosystems and our futures. So what can we do? And what do we need to stay well, and to look after one another as division and hardship increases this year? 👉We need safe spaces, kanohi ki te kanohi, and time to come together. We need to have the hard conversations and begin building the support networks that we need for a resilient future, as this government sure won’t build those for us. We need to both take a break and get shit done. Its tricky balance, but a goal that the Ōtaki Summer Camp aims to create for young people of Aotearoa each year. 3 days, speakers, workshops, camping, good food, music, nature. Doesn’t matter if you are new to active organising/political mahi, OR you want to learn new strategies for your current campaign. OR if good food, learning, some sunshine and music sound like a great weekend away. 2 weeks until camp whānau! REGISTER NOW. 🗓16-19 January 2026. For 17-30ish year olds. Nau mai, haere mai rangatahi mā! 👉Tickets AND ALL ANNOUNCED SPEAKERS AND CAMPAIGNS at: 🌐 (link in bio) @uniteunionaotearoa @actionstationnz @freefares.nz @dentalforallnz @sjp.poneke @samuel.leason @raukumarapaemaunga @sjp.poneke @350aotearoa @ss4cwelly @livingwagenz @bettertaxaotearoa @freefares.nz @younggreensnz @younglabour_nz @ponekeantifa @wellingtontimebank @forestandbirdyouth @forestandbird @greenpeacenz @poneke4palestine @just4pal @climateliberationaotearoa @arkademyproject @te_kuaka @climateactionaotearoa @radioactive.fm @bianca.ranson @jenice_the_menace3

Why Mars comes back to Ōtaki Summer Camp.... Ōtaki Summer Camp is a political camp for 17-35 year olds (or so). Come as you are for four days of amazing speakers, talks, walks, kai, connection, collaboration, motivation. We're kicking off this key election year together. 👇 Reminder that if $$ is stopping you from coming, supported tickets are available. 🧡 Nau mai haere mai + nau mai hoki mai, e hoa mā. 🗓16-19 January 2026. 👉Tickets at: 🌐 👉Full price: $140 👉Supported: $30 ⚡⚡⚡Ngā mihi nui to Mars, Sam and Vanessa for taking all the photos and videos used in the run up to Camp this year. ⚡⚡⚡ @uniteunionaotearoa @actionstationnz @freefares.nz @dentalforallnz @sjp.poneke @samuel.leason @raukumarapaemaunga @sjp.poneke @350aotearoa @ss4cwelly @actionstationnz @livingwagenz @bettertaxaotearoa @freefares.nz @aceladynetwor @younggreensnz @younglabour_nz @ponekeantifa @wellingtontimebank @forestandbirdyouth @forestandbird @greenpeacenz @poneke4palestine @just4pal @climateliberationaotearoa @arkademyproject @te_kuaka @climateactionaotearoa @radioactive.fm

🌳OUTDOOR TRIPS: SUNDAY 18th. Need a break from politics? Well not really, the outdoors is always political - but you get what I mean! Sunday trips offer time to get to know other people, discuss learning and explore! Kāpiti and Horowhenua have some seriously lovely spots to explore. The trips (and the stay-at-home option) provide a chance to connect with and learn more about the local area. DAY TRIPS: 🌲Te Mākū Nui: Ōahu River Gorge, Levin (advanced tramp) 🌳Te Tirohanga: Parata Track, Waikanae: *intermediate) 🌲 Forest ecology trip, guided walk. Lake Papaitonga - Scenic Reserve: Easy (MOST accessible trip - wheelchair access and assistance provided) 🌳River Ecology: Ōtaki River (easy) 🏠Staying on farm -workshops on organic farming, off-grid living. chill space. Of course, being in the bush and around rivers is safer and more enjoyable when you are well-prepared. Check the website for the general lists, and check your emails for the your specific trip list :) A picnic lunch will be provided! The trips are weather dependent, so should we be faced with weather extremes, we’ll find safe alternatives. FOR ENQUIRIES: DM or email us at [email protected]

Returning camper Luis talks about why to come to Ōtaki Summer Camp 2026. Ngā mihi o te hau hou, e hoa mā. Here's something to look forward to in 2026. 🗓16-19 January 2026. 👉Tickets AND ALL ANNOUNCED SPEAKERS AND CAMPAIGNS at: 🌐 @uniteunionaotearoa @actionstationnz @freefares.nz @dentalforallnz @sjp.poneke @samuel.leason @raukumarapaemaunga @sjp.poneke @350aotearoa @ss4cwelly @actionstationnz @livingwagenz @bettertaxaotearoa @freefares.nz @aceladynetwor @younggreensnz @younglabour_nz @ponekeantifa @wellingtontimebank @forestandbirdyouth @forestandbird @greenpeacenz @poneke4palestine @just4pal @climateliberationaotearoa @arkademyproject @te_kuaka @climateactionaotearoa @radioactive.fm

🎤CAMP 2026: MC ANNOUNCEMENT 🎤 🥁🥁🥁 It's...⚡⚡JENICE GOVEAS⚡⚡ 🗓16-19 January 2026. 👉Tickets AND ALL ANNOUNCED SPEAKERS AND CAMPAIGNS at: 🌐 Jenice Jean Goveas is a comedian and community organiser. She moved from India to Aotearoa New Zealand three years ago. Ōtaki Summer Camp was the very first space where she felt genuinely welcomed, seen, and included — a place where deep conversations, laughter, and collective care all existed in the same breath. What began as a powerful personal experience quickly became a commitment to help build and protect spaces where young people can come together to talk politics, justice, anti-racism, equality, and the environment with respect, curiosity, and joy. Jenice brings warmth, humour, and a strong belief in community as a tool for change, and is passionate about making Ōtaki Summer Camp accessible, inclusive, and energising for everyone who walks through its gates. When she’s not helping organise camp, Jenice uses comedy to connect people, challenge assumptions, and remind us that serious issues don’t have to be discussed seriously all the time. @jenice_the_menace 👉For people (aged 17-35 or so) here for political change: four days of strategic tips and shared actions, collaboration and community. On an organic farm. With walks, talks, kai and camping. Whanaungatanga, kotahitanga, taiao. @uniteunionaotearoa @actionstationnz @freefares.nz @dentalforallnz @sjp.poneke @samuel.leason @raukumarapaemaunga @sjp.poneke @350aotearoa @ss4cwelly @actionstationnz @livingwagenz @bettertaxaotearoa @freefares.nz @aceladynetwor @younggreensnz @younglabour_nz @ponekeantifa @wellingtontimebank @forestandbirdyouth @forestandbird @greenpeacenz @poneke4palestine @just4pal @climateliberationaotearoa @arkademyproject @te_kuaka @climateactionaotearoa @radioactive.fm