Conversations have been the focus of the past four days in Wānaka, as the biennial festival of ideas and kōrero - Aspiring Conversations - took place, centred at the Lake Wānaka Centre.

The festival returned after two cancelled programmes due to Covid-19, and the preamble to the programme noted that we “continue to live in challenging times”.

“[We] believe it’s more important than ever to gather, to discuss, listen and reflect on the issues that affect us all in our community and the world at large,” the festival team said.

Sessions covered a lot of ground from adventurous tales, analysis of today’s media ecosystem, to personal health challenges and the challenging of stereotypes - and much more.

What is a conversation?

The role of ‘conversation’ in the sessions was debated by some throughout the weekend.

“It’s not a conversation if it’s a presentation,” one attendee told the Wānaka App, after being disappointed by one such session. There were grumbles about Saturday’s ‘Ko Kai Tahu me Te Tiriti’ session (outlining how events in Te Waipounamu shaped those at Waitangi), which was concluded abruptly when the clock chimed 12pm. The speakers and audience were moved into the Armstrong Room to continue the session and enable a question and answer session.

Despite these quibbles, inside and outside the venue people were engaged in conservation throughout the weekend.

But one group of local people were clearly unhappy with the conversation provided by the ‘Truth and Lies’ session on Saturday afternoon. 

Truth and Lies

The panel consisted of journalist Susie Ferguson, science communicator Siouxsie Wiles, and far right expert Bryon C Clarke, with facilitator Kathryn Ryan. The topic was described as “how we know what is true and how we deal with the misinformation and disinformation that plagues not just social media, but public life”.

The presence of security guards and police indicated that organisers were expecting more than conversation. Attendees were asked to surrender their bags for the event, and Kathryn began the session by relaying a message that anyone causing a disruption would be escorted outside.   

Attendees surrender their bags before entering the Lake Wānaka Centre. PHOTO: Wānaka App

But the pushback was peaceful: A few people in the venue took loud exception to Siouxsie Wiles’ assertion that the Covid-19 vaccine was effective; and a line of 12 silent protestors outside the venue held placards honouring people they believe were injured by the Covid-19 vaccine.  

Inside, Kathryn Ryan’s experience and skill in speaking to people with disparate views was evident. While the panellists recounted their experiences with misinformation (false information) and disinformation (false information designed to be harmful), Kathryn was also talking to the audience - including those who considered the panellists to be purveyors of disinformation.

Facilitator Kathryn Ryan. PHOTO: Lake Wānaka Tourism 

She said diversity of opinion is important, and some criticism of agencies and institutions is justified. But, she acknowledged: “We’re not just talking about people having differences of opinion”.

“The people caught up in this disinformation are our friends and family. This stuff absolutely does go into the real world… There’s a lot of good stuff happening [online],” she added, “but also a lot of shit coming our way.”

The session concluded with advice from the panellists on how to avoid being sucked in by false information: “See if anyone else is reporting the issue; see what else a website has on its front page,” Susie advised; “Take everything with a healthy dose of salt… use your brain,” Siouxsie said; “Be sceptical of everything you read,” Byron said. He advised people to follow media sources which are subject to the Broadcasting Standards Authority.

Climate: What is the Tipping Point?

A full house of attendees at the Lake Wānaka Centre on Sunday (April 7) afternoon were encouraged to take small steps and do what they can now to help reduce emissions and protect the environment.

Climate change can be a daunting challenge and former minister for climate change James Shaw encouraged the audience to look at what we can do as individuals from changing to solar, reducing waste, and moving to an electric vehicle.

Distinguished international climate scientist (and 2024 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year) Dr Jim Salinger agreed, saying that vehicle emissions make up 40 percent of global CO2 emissions. 

“It’s the combustion engine,” he said.

Jim highlighted the extreme temperature increase in the atmosphere and the world’s oceans which showed significant change towards a warming planet with 2024 recordings well above historic norms.

Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College students James Watson and Elsa Buckley spoke candidly about the anxiety they feel about their future and climate change. James said we need to bring people together for real progress, citing the divisive positioning of people who are for or against climate change as an issue, saying they are at each end of the spectrum.

Wao founder Monique Kelly also asserted the need for collective action, saying that communities need to come together to tackle climate change and find solutions. She highlighted the need for systemic change from a fossil fuel-driven economy to a regenerative future that is protective of our environment.

The Wānaka App has to agree with the Aspiring Conversations team: the festival’s goal of “stimulating dialogue on critical issues, encouraging reflection and exploration of new ideas, encouraging personal growth, cultural understanding, and social cohesion” is needed - now more than ever.