The Porirua Assembly brings people from across our city together to learn, listen and deliberate on our changing world. Grounded in community voices, it empowers everyday people to shape shared solutions for Porirua, now and for future generations.

We have created documents and resources as a koha for anyone who might be interested in running their very own Assembly.

Our vision is that the Porirua Assembly is the first; but not the only Assembly, and that others will adapt, grow, and lead this kaupapa in ways that reflect their own communities

From Porirua to You:
Have Your Own Assembly

Assembly Toolkit

Why It Began

To Connect

Harnessing the power of our community to drive local change is what the Porirua Assembly is all about. Assembly principles are including everyday people, fairness and transparency.

To Discuss

The Porirua Assembly is a Te Tiriti participatory democracy approach. For the first Assembly on Climate, a group of 50 Porirua people reflecting the broader population of Porirua, alongside a Mana Whenua group and a Rangatahi group came together to deliberate and make recommendations for Porirua.

To Act

Recommendations from the Climate Assembly have been handed directly to local and regional decision makers and Porirua’s own Community Leaders’ Forum for action.

Read the Recommendations

Our Story

This short video gives a glimpse into what our first Assembly on Climate was all about. It describes why it was designed the way it was and what made it a first for Aotearoa.

Watch the Story

Timeline of The Porirua Assembly

Assembly Toolkit

The Porirua Assembly Toolkit is a practical guide documenting how a Tiriti-based citizens’ assembly on climate was designed and delivered in Porirua, centring Indigenous rights, child participation, and community-led deliberative democracy to produce inclusive, credible climate action recommendations.

Read Section One

Read Section Two

Documents and Resources

The Porirua Assembly Toolkit is a practical guide documenting how a Tiriti-based citizens’ assembly on climate was designed and delivered in Porirua, centring Indigenous rights, child participation, and community-led deliberative democracy to produce inclusive, credible climate action recommendations.
View the Toolkit: Section 1>
View the Toolkit: Section 2>
Read more about the Assembly Recommendations
Download the Assembly Recommendations >
These minutes record key discussions, reflections, decisions and emerging themes from Porirua Assembly sessions:
These minutes record key discussions, reflections, decisions and emerging themes from Mana Whenua sessions:
- Day 2
- Day 1

The expert sessions brought climate-relevant specialists together with assembly participants to share evidence, insights and diverse perspectives on key topics (e.g., health impacts, food systems, ecology, emergency management and institutional responses). They supported informed deliberation by grounding community discussion in expert knowledge and lived experience.
The Assembly Kaikōrero created space for mana whenua and community voices to speak openly from lived experience, values and tikanga.
- Kiritapu Allan
- Wahleah Johns
- Peter Barrett
- Eirenei Vailaau- Ah Kuoi
- Tom FitzGerald (Coming Soon)
Rangatahi were involved in the Assembly as active contributors. They were supported with dedicated resources and facilitation to participate meaningfully, share their perspectives, and influence discussions and recommendations, recognising their rights, lived experience, and stake in long-term climate outcomes.
- Rangatahi Resource Booklet
- Rangatahi Wānanga Waiata
IteThe Exhibition of Community-Based Initiatives document showcases a curated collection of local projects, programmes and ideas from Porirua residents, organisations and partners that contribute to climate action, wellbeing and resilience — highlighting community strengths, creativity and grassroots solutions alongside assembly deliberations and recommendations.
- View here