While there was never an expectation that we would have a clear set of steps at the end of this first engagement - we knew it was purely a first step - some really interesting things emerged through the event:

1. By about three quarters of the way through the event the group of 70 plus people were in synch...you could have heard a pin drop while each individual spoke their mind. People were respectful, interested, open to learning and suggesting things to try.
2. At the end of the event one of our presenters and panelists, Te Kawa Robb asked a question of the audience. “Who learnt something today?”  Every single person in the room put their hand up enthusiastically. It was a wonderful experience to feel the energy and sense of engagement and hope.
3. That energy and warmth in the room at the end was palpable. The participants had presented, discussed, contributed and had been heard. Most of all people felt that their time spent was valued, that they'd added value and that some positive progress was made. It was a thoroughly positive experience and many lingered afterwards, chatting about what might be possible and wondering how they might contribute more.
4. While most attendees were contributing their own time and energy, using up their own resources to contribute and be there in person...the local authority didn’t make it.
5. The questions about the future, climate change, emissions reductions, transition pathways and key decisions, seemed to be beyond the ability of one person or organisation to address. These are complex issues that do not yield to logical plans or risk matrices.

On reflection, if we all learned something and we were all able to engage sensibly with the issues, what opportunity was lost and energy wasted by not having other essential stakeholders in the conversation?

And more generally, what opportunities are lost when this work is attempted by consultants working in an office block somewhere, silo'd and isolated from the community on the ground? And what is the mindset of the people who commission them in this way in the first place? 

Through our work at Transition-HQ we know that transdisciplinary work is challenging. As we have written recently, many people find change difficult, institutional routines get in the way, incentives are misaligned, denial and fear can shut down communication channels and the means to build trust.

But there is a way forward though. It is through doing this work together…not standing on the side lines, not blaming others, or pointing at rule books, documents, theories or wishing it would all go away – it won’t! Top down, command and control is most likely to get it wrong now -  we need to involve the people…it is our place, our future.

And thinking forward, what if we had more research, more data and a structured process for learning together? How much more effectively and inclusively would we be able to move?

While we don’t know for sure why Wellington Water didn’t attend such a vibrant event, we were curious to see what their stated values are, here is what we found:

Our (Wellington Water) values are:

Tangata Tiaki.    Together we protect our most precious resource.

Whānau.             United we support, connect and respect each other.

Mana.                  Individually, we bring our best to every situation.

So, while they definitely espouse the right values, it is often said that perception can become reality and that a real opportunity to get some engagement and alignment with a wide variety of perspectives has been missed - let's hope they connect in future.

A big shout out to the event organisers, who were Beyond the Pipes (sometimes more affectionately known as the ‘Poo Breakfast Club’) - an informal but diverse group of engineers, residents’ associations, Councilors and more, with Kate Walmsley of Kaicycle, and Hannah Blumhardt and Liam Prince of The Rubbish Trip, doing much of the heavy lifting for this event.

The Clare Foundation kindly sponsored the event and Sweet Release provided the delicious 100% plant-based catering without any packaging waste at all. Food scraps were composted by Kaicycle.

We have our formal debrief and decide on next steps on 17^th August. We might have to double back after that and check in with those that missed the event. Watch this space.

This weeks quote

Rather than sitting on the side-lines and hurling judgement and advice, we must dare to show up and let ourselves be seen. This is vulnerability. This is daring greatly.

Brenẻ Brown