Christchurch timetable
Our timetable has something for everyone! See our January 2022 line-up below and check back later for the line-up for our next Vegan Expo in November 2022.
10:15am: FILM – PlantPure Nation (99 mins)
PlantPure Nation
The documentary film PlantPure Nation tells the story of three people on a quest to spread the message of one of the most important health breakthroughs of all time.
10:30am: TALK – Jessica Strathdee, From dairy farm worker to animal rights activist
From dairy farm worker to animal rights activist
Former dairy farm worker Jessica Strathdee will talk about her experiences as a dairy farmer and her consequent journey to being an animal rights activist. Whilst the dairy industry likes to paint a picture of idyllic farm life, Jess will talk from first-hand experience about the systemic abusive farming practices necessary to participate within the dairy industry which led her and her partner to leave it and to educate the public about the horrific realities of Aotearoa’s dairy industry.
10:30am: COOKING DEMO – Monika Rastogi: Spinach and kale saag
Spinach and kale saag
Monika Rastogi
Monika Rastogi is a foodie at heart and has been a vegetarian since birth. She has lived in Bangladesh, China and now NZ is her home. She likes to teach and spread her love for cooking tasty and healthy Indian cuisine to different ethnicity, kids and adults of all ages. She runs her Indian cooking classes from the comfort of her home with warm hospitality – making everyone feel comfortable.
Monika is an experienced teacher and very good with kids. Since her son was 4 years old, she has been teaching him cooking, how to peel and slice vegetables safely, use a pan to make an omelet or saute vegetables, use a blender or microwave safely. Now 6, has already participated in three cooking competitions on his own. Monika believes cooking is an essential life skill that sets children up for a healthy lifestyle from a young age. She regularly runs classes where anyone can come and experience what she has to offer. Children’s classes are led by her son, Rayaan.
11am: FILM – Immi the Vegan (60 mins)
Immi the Vegan
A New Zealand vegan and plant-based rom-com musical comedy 7 part series. Immi the Vegan creates vegan videos and shares vegan content that she’s found, and hopes people will find useful! Travel vlogs, comedy, and cooking!
11:15am: TALK – Sharlene Wilson: Meet the Animals
Meet the animals
Sharlene Wilson, Canterbury Tails Animal Rescue founder
Canterbury Tails is an animal rescue and sanctuary in North Canterbury. It all started when Sharlene was contacted about a much-loved pet pig who had outgrown his home and sadly there were very few options for him. It was then that Sharlene realised how at risk these unconventional pets are. Paul now lives with Sharlene at Canterbury Tails.
The rescue, which became a registered charity in 2020, now helps other unconventional pets and abandoned animals find safe forever homes.
Sharlene share stories of the animals she meets to show that these “pets” are no different than the animals people eat.
“I’m passionate about animals and education. As we rescue and rehome more and more animals I’m concentrating on education and telling the stories of the animals we’ve met,” Sharlene says.
“Creating awareness is the key to reducing the suffering of animals. Every animal is an individual.”
11:30am: COOKING DEMO – Dr Xiaoli (Lilly) Zhao: Chickpea pancake wrap
Chickpea pancake wrap
DR XIAOLI (LILLY) ZHAO, PURE LIVING NETWORK
After completing her plant-based protein study as a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Lincoln University in 2021, Lilly founded Pure Living Network – a platform for engagement and education that aims to transform people’s lifestyles to plant-based diets. Pure Living Network provides cooking demonstrations, seminars, and workshops activities. Dr Zhao also collaborates with international scholars on several projects related to plant-based diets and wellbeing.
12pm: Mother’s Milk (8 mins)
Mother’s Milk
A short movie by the New Zealand Broadcasting School on a young families dairy farm and their awakening to the realities of the relationship of a mother’s calf and her mother’s milk. Jessica tells her story of her journey out of dairy farming.
12pm: TALK – Sophie Weenink: Healthy vegan living at all ages
Healthy vegan living at all ages
Sophie Weenink is a teenage vegan from Nelson who has a passion for helping animals, people and the environment. Sophie will speak about how easy it is to live a healthy vegan lifestyle and the many reasons why we should choose a cruelty free way of life. She hopes to teach families that being vegan is a positive move for their health – regardless of age. You can find out more about Sophie on her Facebook and Instagram pages called Ecogirl NZ.
“I know I will be vegan for the animals for the rest of my life,” she says.
12:15pm: FILM – Kindred Creatures (69 mins)
Kindred Creatures
Kindred Creatures is a feature length documentary exploring the ways of life of the animals used in animal agriculture. The documentary explores these animals’ personalities, the bonds they share with humans, and impactful stories of their rescue. Kindred Creatures also highlights farm animal sanctuaries and the wonderful work they do to help victims of animal agriculture and neglect. We touch on animal activism and why this is important, Tom Regan’s animal rights philosophy, and the importance and beauty of a vegan diet.
12:30pm: COOKING DEMO – Yolanda Soryl: Vanilla cupcakes with strawberry jam filling
Yolanda Soryl estimates she has baked more than 10,000 vegan cupcakes in her time. She makes them for family, friends, celebrations, potlucks, fundraisers and for fun. A huge baking fan, she spends far too much time watching baking shows, following vegan bakers and reading baking cookbooks.
Yolanda compiled the CVS ‘Icing on the Quake’ cookbook and demonstrated baking from it on the Morning TV show. This recipe is from that book (which you can get from the Christchurch Vegan Society online store), but she is zhushing it up with the jam to make it even more delicious.
12:45pm: TALK – Dr Martyn Williamson: Make your vegan diet your best medicine
Make your vegan diet your best medicine
Dr Martyn Williamson
Dr Martyn Williamson moved to New Zealand from the UK in 1986. He has spent the last 35 years in rural general practice, mixing this with a teaching and research role at Dunedin School of Medicine.
He has always been passionate about helping people thrive, and over the last five years has turned his focus to helping people prevent, reverse and cure their chronic illnesses. He and his wife Liz were nominated plant-based practitioners of the year for 2019 and in 2020 they both obtained an international certification in Lifestyle Medicine.
Martyn is committed to raising awareness about the power of whole food plant-based nutrition to treat disease, so people have a choice to regain some control over their health.
1:30pm: FILM – Carnage: Swallowing The Past (65 mins)
Carnage
It’s 2067, the UK is vegan, but older generations are suffering the guilt of their carnivorous past. Featuring Martin Freeman and Joanna Lumley, Carnage is the world’s first vegan science-fiction, comedy movie created for the BBC. Simon Amstell asks us to forgive them for the horrors of what they swallowed in the hilarious mockumentary.
1:30pm: COOKING DEMO – Tom Riley: Summer greens (everything) pesto
Green Dinner Table
Tom Riley
Born and raised right here in Christchurch, Tom Riley became interested in the chef’s life after reading Orwell’s prolific Down and Out in Paris and London. Tom was educated at Ara (formerly CPIT), yet it was at home that Tom learnt a lot about plant-based cuisine thanks to his steadfastly vegan wife.
Starting as a dishwasher in Christchurch, he worked his way up through various roles in the kitchens of Sydney and Edinburgh before leading a team of his own at one of the busiest cafes in Toronto. He now runs Green Dinner Table, an all-vegan meal service based in Christchurch. Inspired by ingredients and techniques, Tom is passionate about sharing his love for good food with anyone lucky enough to taste what he’s prepared.
Tom will be making Summer greens (everything) pesto.
1.30pm: TALK – Yolanda Soryl: 30+ years a vegan – A survivor’s tale
Yolanda Soryl recently celebrated her 30th anniversary of going vegan. Join her on an entertaining look back on 30 years of veganism and what it takes to go vegan and stay vegan. Yolanda will share tips, vegan history and stories and will take a humorous look at being vegan at a time when even the vegans didn’t know how to pronounce the word.2:15pm: TALK – Dr Anthony Raizis: Climate in crisis: What difference would a vegan diet make?
Climate in crisis: What difference would a vegan diet make?
Dr Anthony Raizis
Globally, atmospheric carbon dioxide is increasing at the rate of ~2.5ppm per year. Actions that are most likely to have the biggest effect in reducing emissions or increasing sequestration will be discussed along with the greenhouse gas efficiencies of different food groups.
2:30pm: COOKING DEMO – Frances Young: Poor Wise Vegan
Poor Wise Vegan
Frances Young
Frances Young provides counselling and wellbeing advice, and facilitates plant-based eating Puawai Kai programmes with Pegasus’s Healthy Lifestyles team. Her Vegan Expo demonstration will focus on the 101 of vegan eating well, using the Healthy Vegan plate model. Takeaways will be: Simple to follow nutritional guidance for vegans to make super-delicious/nourishing, easy-as, inexpensive vegan food – PLUS Food tasting, free food label reading kits and vegan recipe cards to go.
2:40pm: FILM – 73 Cows (15 mins)
73 Cows
The story of Jay Wilde, the first farmer in the UK to trade beef farming for sustainable organic vegan farming, giving up his entire herd of cattle in the process.
3pm: FILM – Let us be Heroes – The True Cost of our Food Choices (41 mins)
Let us be Heroes – The True Cost of our Food Choices
We all want to be healthy. We all want to protect the planet and we all want to be kind. Yet today we are facing a health crisis, an environmental crisis and an ethical crisis affecting people and the economy. How much difference can one person make? Let us be Heroes explores the impact of our food and lifestyle choices on our health, our home planet and our values with athletes, digital, food and fashion entrepreneurs, a public speaker and an ocean warrior fighting to protect people, planet and animals.
Is it possible that we humans as a species have been eating the wrong foods? Despite the longevity evidence of some population, the impact of animal agriculture on the planet and our moral conflict when it comes to animals, the answer today is met with resistance. The film shares inspiring stories of every day people who decided to adopt a more conscious and responsible lifestyle for their health, for our home planet and for the animals and inspire others with their work and mission. Is it time we all join a global movement of awakening?
PROUD SPONSORS OF THE TALKS
10:30am: TALK – Jessica Strathdee, From dairy farm worker to animal rights activist
From dairy farm worker to animal rights activist
Former dairy farm worker Jessica Strathdee will talk about her experiences as a dairy farmer and her consequent journey to being an animal rights activist. Whilst the dairy industry likes to paint a picture of idyllic farm life, Jess will talk from first-hand experience about the systemic abusive farming practices necessary to participate within the dairy industry which led her and her partner to leave it and to educate the public about the horrific realities of Aotearoa’s dairy industry.
11:15am: TALK – Sharlene Wilson: Meet the Animals
Meet the animals
Sharlene Wilson, Canterbury Tails Animal Rescue founder
Canterbury Tails is an animal rescue and sanctuary in North Canterbury. It all started when Sharlene was contacted about a much-loved pet pig who had outgrown his home and sadly there were very few options for him. It was then that Sharlene realised how at risk these unconventional pets are. Paul now lives with Sharlene at Canterbury Tails.
The rescue, which became a registered charity in 2020, now helps other unconventional pets and abandoned animals find safe forever homes.
Sharlene share stories of the animals she meets to show that these “pets” are no different than the animals people eat.
“I’m passionate about animals and education. As we rescue and rehome more and more animals I’m concentrating on education and telling the stories of the animals we’ve met,” Sharlene says.
“Creating awareness is the key to reducing the suffering of animals. Every animal is an individual.”
12pm: TALK – Sophie Weenink: Healthy vegan living at all ages
Healthy vegan living at all ages
Sophie Weenink is a teenage vegan from Nelson who has a passion for helping animals, people and the environment. Sophie will speak about how easy it is to live a healthy vegan lifestyle and the many reasons why we should choose a cruelty free way of life. She hopes to teach families that being vegan is a positive move for their health – regardless of age. You can find out more about Sophie on her Facebook and Instagram pages called Ecogirl NZ.
“I know I will be vegan for the animals for the rest of my life,” she says.
12:45pm: TALK – Dr Martyn Williamson: Make your vegan diet your best medicine
Make your vegan diet your best medicine
Dr Martyn Williamson
Dr Martyn Williamson moved to New Zealand from the UK in 1986. He has spent the last 35 years in rural general practice, mixing this with a teaching and research role at Dunedin School of Medicine.
He has always been passionate about helping people thrive, and over the last five years has turned his focus to helping people prevent, reverse and cure their chronic illnesses. He and his wife Liz were nominated plant-based practitioners of the year for 2019 and in 2020 they both obtained an international certification in Lifestyle Medicine.
Martyn is committed to raising awareness about the power of whole food plant-based nutrition to treat disease, so people have a choice to regain some control over their health.
1.30pm: TALK – Yolanda Soryl: 30+ years a vegan – A survivor’s tale
Yolanda Soryl recently celebrated her 30th anniversary of going vegan. Join her on an entertaining look back on 30 years of veganism and what it takes to go vegan and stay vegan. Yolanda will share tips, vegan history and stories and will take a humorous look at being vegan at a time when even the vegans didn’t know how to pronounce the word.2:15pm: TALK – Dr Anthony Raizis: Climate in crisis: What difference would a vegan diet make?
Climate in crisis: What difference would a vegan diet make?
Dr Anthony Raizis
Globally, atmospheric carbon dioxide is increasing at the rate of ~2.5ppm per year. Actions that are most likely to have the biggest effect in reducing emissions or increasing sequestration will be discussed along with the greenhouse gas efficiencies of different food groups.
PROUD SPONSOR OF THE FILMS
10:15am: FILM – PlantPure Nation (99 mins)
PlantPure Nation
The documentary film PlantPure Nation tells the story of three people on a quest to spread the message of one of the most important health breakthroughs of all time.
11am: FILM – Immi the Vegan (60 mins)
Immi the Vegan
A New Zealand vegan and plant-based rom-com musical comedy 7 part series. Immi the Vegan creates vegan videos and shares vegan content that she’s found, and hopes people will find useful! Travel vlogs, comedy, and cooking!
12pm: Mother’s Milk (8 mins)
Mother’s Milk
A short movie by the New Zealand Broadcasting School on a young families dairy farm and their awakening to the realities of the relationship of a mother’s calf and her mother’s milk. Jessica tells her story of her journey out of dairy farming.
12:15pm: FILM – Kindred Creatures (69 mins)
Kindred Creatures
Kindred Creatures is a feature length documentary exploring the ways of life of the animals used in animal agriculture. The documentary explores these animals’ personalities, the bonds they share with humans, and impactful stories of their rescue. Kindred Creatures also highlights farm animal sanctuaries and the wonderful work they do to help victims of animal agriculture and neglect. We touch on animal activism and why this is important, Tom Regan’s animal rights philosophy, and the importance and beauty of a vegan diet.
1:30pm: FILM – Carnage: Swallowing The Past (65 mins)
Carnage
It’s 2067, the UK is vegan, but older generations are suffering the guilt of their carnivorous past. Featuring Martin Freeman and Joanna Lumley, Carnage is the world’s first vegan science-fiction, comedy movie created for the BBC. Simon Amstell asks us to forgive them for the horrors of what they swallowed in the hilarious mockumentary.
2:40pm: FILM – 73 Cows (15 mins)
73 Cows
The story of Jay Wilde, the first farmer in the UK to trade beef farming for sustainable organic vegan farming, giving up his entire herd of cattle in the process.
3pm: FILM – Let us be Heroes – The True Cost of our Food Choices (41 mins)
Let us be Heroes – The True Cost of our Food Choices
We all want to be healthy. We all want to protect the planet and we all want to be kind. Yet today we are facing a health crisis, an environmental crisis and an ethical crisis affecting people and the economy. How much difference can one person make? Let us be Heroes explores the impact of our food and lifestyle choices on our health, our home planet and our values with athletes, digital, food and fashion entrepreneurs, a public speaker and an ocean warrior fighting to protect people, planet and animals.
Is it possible that we humans as a species have been eating the wrong foods? Despite the longevity evidence of some population, the impact of animal agriculture on the planet and our moral conflict when it comes to animals, the answer today is met with resistance. The film shares inspiring stories of every day people who decided to adopt a more conscious and responsible lifestyle for their health, for our home planet and for the animals and inspire others with their work and mission. Is it time we all join a global movement of awakening?
PROUD SPONSORS OF THE MUSIC
PROUD SPONSOR OF THE COOKING DEMOS
10:30am: COOKING DEMO – Monika Rastogi: Spinach and kale saag
Spinach and kale saag
Monika Rastogi
Monika Rastogi is a foodie at heart and has been a vegetarian since birth. She has lived in Bangladesh, China and now NZ is her home. She likes to teach and spread her love for cooking tasty and healthy Indian cuisine to different ethnicity, kids and adults of all ages. She runs her Indian cooking classes from the comfort of her home with warm hospitality – making everyone feel comfortable.
Monika is an experienced teacher and very good with kids. Since her son was 4 years old, she has been teaching him cooking, how to peel and slice vegetables safely, use a pan to make an omelet or saute vegetables, use a blender or microwave safely. Now 6, has already participated in three cooking competitions on his own. Monika believes cooking is an essential life skill that sets children up for a healthy lifestyle from a young age. She regularly runs classes where anyone can come and experience what she has to offer. Children’s classes are led by her son, Rayaan.
11:30am: COOKING DEMO – Dr Xiaoli (Lilly) Zhao: Chickpea pancake wrap
Chickpea pancake wrap
DR XIAOLI (LILLY) ZHAO, PURE LIVING NETWORK
After completing her plant-based protein study as a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Lincoln University in 2021, Lilly founded Pure Living Network – a platform for engagement and education that aims to transform people’s lifestyles to plant-based diets. Pure Living Network provides cooking demonstrations, seminars, and workshops activities. Dr Zhao also collaborates with international scholars on several projects related to plant-based diets and wellbeing.
12:30pm: COOKING DEMO – Yolanda Soryl: Vanilla cupcakes with strawberry jam filling
Yolanda Soryl estimates she has baked more than 10,000 vegan cupcakes in her time. She makes them for family, friends, celebrations, potlucks, fundraisers and for fun. A huge baking fan, she spends far too much time watching baking shows, following vegan bakers and reading baking cookbooks.
Yolanda compiled the CVS ‘Icing on the Quake’ cookbook and demonstrated baking from it on the Morning TV show. This recipe is from that book (which you can get from the Christchurch Vegan Society online store), but she is zhushing it up with the jam to make it even more delicious.
1:30pm: COOKING DEMO – Tom Riley: Summer greens (everything) pesto
Green Dinner Table
Tom Riley
Born and raised right here in Christchurch, Tom Riley became interested in the chef’s life after reading Orwell’s prolific Down and Out in Paris and London. Tom was educated at Ara (formerly CPIT), yet it was at home that Tom learnt a lot about plant-based cuisine thanks to his steadfastly vegan wife.
Starting as a dishwasher in Christchurch, he worked his way up through various roles in the kitchens of Sydney and Edinburgh before leading a team of his own at one of the busiest cafes in Toronto. He now runs Green Dinner Table, an all-vegan meal service based in Christchurch. Inspired by ingredients and techniques, Tom is passionate about sharing his love for good food with anyone lucky enough to taste what he’s prepared.
Tom will be making Summer greens (everything) pesto.
2:30pm: COOKING DEMO – Frances Young: Poor Wise Vegan
Poor Wise Vegan
Frances Young
Frances Young provides counselling and wellbeing advice, and facilitates plant-based eating Puawai Kai programmes with Pegasus’s Healthy Lifestyles team. Her Vegan Expo demonstration will focus on the 101 of vegan eating well, using the Healthy Vegan plate model. Takeaways will be: Simple to follow nutritional guidance for vegans to make super-delicious/nourishing, easy-as, inexpensive vegan food – PLUS Food tasting, free food label reading kits and vegan recipe cards to go.
Date
Sunday, 6 November 2022
Time
10am – 4pm
Cost
Door sales: $6. Online tickets: $5
Children 16 years and under free!
Location
Haere-roa, University of Canterbury, 90 Ilam Road, Christchurch
Access
Wheelchair access available
Parking
Ample free car parking