Christchurch timetable
Our timetable has something for everyone!
The Game Changers
The Game ChangersJames Wilks travels the world on a quest for the truth about meat, protein, and strength. Showcasing elite athletes, special ops soldiers, and visionary scientists to change the way people eat and live.
Presented by James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, Lewis Hamilton, Novak Djokovic and Chris Paul — a revolutionary new film about meat, protein and strength.
Piyush Misra has been performing at festivals and restaurants for more than 15 years. He brings his own loops in keyboards and sings covers and original songs. When singing covers, he sings in his own special style – Indian fusion.
Katarina Tawiri, Food For Life
Katarina Tawiri, Food For LifeKatarina runs the award-winning nutrition education and cooking class programme that provides an innovative approach to diet-related chronic diseases in a socially fun and entertaining environment. Designed by physicians, nurses, and registered dietitians, Food for Life promotes healthful eating based on the latest scientific research.
Kickstart Your Health is the first of a four-part series of classes. During this 60-minute introductory class, you will learn about the science behind plant-based eating, how to create a menu plan, a shopping list and how to read food labels. It includes a Vegan Starter Kit (with lots of recipes) and other literature will set you up for success on your journey to vibrant health.
Ying Donnithorne, The Origin
Ying Donnithorne, The OriginYing has been vegan for much of her adult life and in 2017, opened The Origin, which has become a very popular vegan café in St Albans. The Origin offers specialty teas and coffee and dedicated, pure vegan cuisine from a variety of European and Asian styles.
Ying is passionate about promoting healthy eating and takes great enjoyment when new non-plant-based customers come in and don’t even notice there isn’t diary or meat on the menu, and really enjoy their meal.
Soul Star Tribe are a group featuring people of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and fitness levels drawn together by their enthusiasm for belly dance.
Bella Holland, Bellalicious Wholefoods
Bella Holland, Bellalicious WholefoodsLearn how to make your very own creamy delicious vanilla almond milk and chia breakfast pudding! Bella is a passionate foodie, health professional and mother to three beautiful boys. When her children were young, she began experimenting at making healthy, wholefood alternatives to store bought food and spent thousands of hours learning to make nutrient dense food without chemicals, preservatives and artificial colouring.
Dr Emily Major
Possum Advocacy and the Potential for Compassionate Conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand. Dr Emily Major is a vegan academic activist who has dedicated her life to helping alleviate cruelty and violence towards nonhuman animals… particularly those species deemed as ‘pests’.
Her recent doctoral dissertation, ‘Possums are as Kiwi as Fish and Chips’: Possum Advocacy and the Potential for Compassionate Conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand, was chosen as one of the University of Canterbury’s Graduate Success Stories for 2023.
Emily is actively working on publishing research from her thesis and continues to educate the public through various outreach opportunities, such as this presentation with the Vegan Expo, and through her research activism blog, Framing Speciesism. She stays sane through the company of her four rat friends who like to distract with their cheeky antics.
Piyush Misra has been performing at festivals and restaurants for more than 15 years. He brings his own loops in keyboards and sings covers and original songs. When singing covers, he sings in his own special style – Indian fusion.
Punk Rock Vegan Movie
Punk Rock Vegan MoviePunk Rock Vegan Movie is a feature-length documentary written and directed (and shot and scored) by Moby. It looks at the surprising history of punk rock and animal rights activism, features interviews with dozens of punk rock legends, and also cameos from Bagel the dog, the devil, and a boardroom of demons. It’s the filmmaker and producers’ hope that no one ever pays to see this movie, as it’s a labor of love and activism. All rights to their respective owners.
Dr Mandy Bergstrom, Evidence Based Eating (NZ)
A doctor based in Southland, Mandy is passionate about preventative medicine and addressing the various risk factors that contribute significantly to our leading causes of death and disease.
“Diet is the number one risk factor for early deaths worldwide, yet it is often not sufficiently addressed in our hospitals, practices or even medical schools. We owe it to our patients to provide them with accurate and up-to-date knowledge to help prevent and potentially reverse chronic diseases, which is why I am promoting a whole-food, plant-based diet.”
Soul Star Tribe are a group featuring people of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and fitness levels drawn together by their enthusiasm for belly dance.
Krystal Paix, Insurgent Foods
Krystal Paix, Insurgent FoodsKrystal is the founder of Canterbury-based vegan artisan food business Insurgent Foods, an emerging planner, the voice of the Christchurch Vegan Societies fortnightly radio show and podcast A Vegan Lounge, and policy writer for the Animal Justice Party Aotearoa New Zealand.
Krystal will show you how to make individual Mocha Cheesecakes for both the vegan and non-vegan members of the household.
Piyush Misra has been performing at festivals and restaurants for more than 15 years. He brings his own loops in keyboards and sings covers and original songs. When singing covers, he sings in his own special style – Indian fusion.
Emma Kovacs
Emma is a mama to a flourishing vegan toddler, two plant-based dogs, partner and cook for an athletic vegan husband, and a newly minted Montessori pre-school teacher. For 12 years, she has adopted a vegan lifestyle and adapted lots of her favourite recipes from childhood.
“While I absolutely advocate for healthful, ethical choices, I’ll admit I’m a bit of a junk food vegan! I will be sharing a weekly staple in our household – a source of vegan protein known as seitan, prepared à la KFC.”
Olivia Bell
Olivia BellI have enjoyed a plant-based life for over 27 years. During this time, I have lived in 5 different countries (throughout NZ, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Kuwait, and South Korea). I have travelled to 36 countries. As an early childhood teacher, I have taught how to cook healthy, plant-based meals. I am also a frugal, minimalist who spends about $120 a week on groceries for my partner and I.
Find out how easy and affordable it is to be a vegan
- How to save time and money while living vegan
- Vegan essentials for your pantry and fridge
- Shopping tips that will save you money
- Cooking tips that will save you time
- Travel tips for eating vegan food on the go
- Information on community resources such as the fruit and vegetable coop
- And a brief intro into the vegan cooking class that we have set up
Soul Star Tribe are a group featuring people of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and fitness levels drawn together by their enthusiasm for belly dance.
Milked
MilkedA young activist, Chris Huriwai, goes deep into dairy land where he takes on the giants of New Zealand’s most powerful industry, and reveals how the sacred cash-cow industry has been milked dry. His journey exposes not only the sustainability crisis and the dangerous denial of impending agricultural disruption, but also what New Zealand and other countries can do to change their fate.
Featuring interviews with high-profile contributors such as Dr Jane Goodall, environmentalist and former actress Suzy Amis Cameron, and Cowspiracy co-director, Keegan Kuhn, Milked reveals the behind-the-scenes reality of the kiwi dairy farming fairy-tale.
Rebecca Dent
Rebecca DentRebecca will take you through the basics of good nutrition, what vegans need to specifically pay attention to, and tips on how to put this into practice. She will cover how to build a balanced meal, vegan-specific vitamin and mineral considerations, what supplements are helpful and worth your time, and also bust some common vegan nutrition myths. If you’re feeling lost or confused about where to start with improving your nutrition, Rebecca will provide you with a framework that helps you determine your next best steps.
Kate Grater, Pierogi Joint
Kate Grater, Pierogi JointPierogi Joint, is a very popular stallholder at the monthly Vegan Night Mākete where Kate makes and sells delicious vegan pierogi, mac n cheese, and loaded pierogi.
Kate will guide us through the history of pierogi before rolling up her sleeves and inviting you round the table to join in. You will learn how to make pierogi at home, easy filling options and techniques for making delicious dumplings.
Piyush Misra has been performing at festivals and restaurants for more than 15 years. He brings his own loops in keyboards and sings covers and original songs. When singing covers, he sings in his own special style – Indian fusion.
Talks and workshops
Katarina Tawiri, Food For Life
Katarina runs the award-winning nutrition education and cooking class programme that provides an innovative approach to diet-related chronic diseases in a socially fun and entertaining environment. Designed by physicians, nurses, and registered dietitians, Food for Life promotes healthful eating based on the latest scientific research.
Kickstart Your Health is the first of a four-part series of classes. During this 60-minute introductory class, you will learn about the science behind plant-based eating, how to create a menu plan, a shopping list and how to read food labels. It includes a Vegan Starter Kit (with lots of recipes) and other literature will set you up for success on your journey to vibrant health.
Dr Emily Major
Possum Advocacy and the Potential for Compassionate Conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand. Dr Emily Major is a vegan academic activist who has dedicated her life to helping alleviate cruelty and violence towards nonhuman animals… particularly those species deemed as ‘pests’.
Her recent doctoral dissertation, ‘Possums are as Kiwi as Fish and Chips’: Possum Advocacy and the Potential for Compassionate Conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand, was chosen as one of the University of Canterbury’s Graduate Success Stories for 2023.
Emily is actively working on publishing research from her thesis and continues to educate the public through various outreach opportunities, such as this presentation with the Vegan Expo, and through her research activism blog, Framing Speciesism. She stays sane through the company of her four rat friends who like to distract with their cheeky antics.
Dr Mandy Bergstrom, Evidence Based Eating (NZ)
A doctor based in Southland, Mandy is passionate about preventative medicine and addressing the various risk factors that contribute significantly to our leading causes of death and disease.
“Diet is the number one risk factor for early deaths worldwide, yet it is often not sufficiently addressed in our hospitals, practices or even medical schools. We owe it to our patients to provide them with accurate and up-to-date knowledge to help prevent and potentially reverse chronic diseases, which is why I am promoting a whole-food, plant-based diet.”
Olivia Bell
I have enjoyed a plant-based life for over 27 years. During this time, I have lived in 5 different countries (throughout NZ, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Kuwait, and South Korea). I have travelled to 36 countries. As an early childhood teacher, I have taught how to cook healthy, plant-based meals. I am also a frugal, minimalist who spends about $120 a week on groceries for my partner and I.
Find out how easy and affordable it is to be a vegan
- How to save time and money while living vegan
- Vegan essentials for your pantry and fridge
- Shopping tips that will save you money
- Cooking tips that will save you time
- Travel tips for eating vegan food on the go
- Information on community resources such as the fruit and vegetable coop
- And a brief intro into the vegan cooking class that we have set up
Rebecca Dent
Rebecca will take you through the basics of good nutrition, what vegans need to specifically pay attention to, and tips on how to put this into practice. She will cover how to build a balanced meal, vegan-specific vitamin and mineral considerations, what supplements are helpful and worth your time, and also bust some common vegan nutrition myths. If you’re feeling lost or confused about where to start with improving your nutrition, Rebecca will provide you with a framework that helps you determine your next best steps.
Cooking demonstrations
Ying Donnithorne, The Origin
Ying has been vegan for much of her adult life and in 2017, opened The Origin, which has become a very popular vegan café in St Albans. The Origin offers specialty teas and coffee and dedicated, pure vegan cuisine from a variety of European and Asian styles.
Ying is passionate about promoting healthy eating and takes great enjoyment when new non-plant-based customers come in and don’t even notice there isn’t diary or meat on the menu, and really enjoy their meal.
Bella Holland, Bellalicious Wholefoods
Learn how to make your very own creamy delicious vanilla almond milk and chia breakfast pudding! Bella is a passionate foodie, health professional and mother to three beautiful boys. When her children were young, she began experimenting at making healthy, wholefood alternatives to store bought food and spent thousands of hours learning to make nutrient dense food without chemicals, preservatives and artificial colouring.
Krystal Paix, Insurgent Foods
Krystal is the founder of Canterbury-based vegan artisan food business Insurgent Foods, an emerging planner, the voice of the Christchurch Vegan Societies fortnightly radio show and podcast A Vegan Lounge, and policy writer for the Animal Justice Party Aotearoa New Zealand.
Krystal will show you how to make individual Mocha Cheesecakes for both the vegan and non-vegan members of the household.
Emma Kovacs
Emma is a mama to a flourishing vegan toddler, two plant-based dogs, partner and cook for an athletic vegan husband, and a newly minted Montessori pre-school teacher. For 12 years, she has adopted a vegan lifestyle and adapted lots of her favourite recipes from childhood.
“While I absolutely advocate for healthful, ethical choices, I’ll admit I’m a bit of a junk food vegan! I will be sharing a weekly staple in our household – a source of vegan protein known as seitan, prepared à la KFC.”
Kate Grater, Pierogi Joint
Pierogi Joint, is a very popular stallholder at the monthly Vegan Night Mākete where Kate makes and sells delicious vegan pierogi, mac n cheese, and loaded pierogi.
Kate will guide us through the history of pierogi before rolling up her sleeves and inviting you round the table to join in. You will learn how to make pierogi at home, easy filling options and techniques for making delicious dumplings.
Film screenings
The Game Changers
James Wilks travels the world on a quest for the truth about meat, protein, and strength. Showcasing elite athletes, special ops soldiers, and visionary scientists to change the way people eat and live.
Presented by James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, Lewis Hamilton, Novak Djokovic and Chris Paul — a revolutionary new film about meat, protein and strength.
Punk Rock Vegan Movie
Punk Rock Vegan Movie is a feature-length documentary written and directed (and shot and scored) by Moby. It looks at the surprising history of punk rock and animal rights activism, features interviews with dozens of punk rock legends, and also cameos from Bagel the dog, the devil, and a boardroom of demons. It’s the filmmaker and producers’ hope that no one ever pays to see this movie, as it’s a labor of love and activism. All rights to their respective owners.
Milked
A young activist, Chris Huriwai, goes deep into dairy land where he takes on the giants of New Zealand’s most powerful industry, and reveals how the sacred cash-cow industry has been milked dry. His journey exposes not only the sustainability crisis and the dangerous denial of impending agricultural disruption, but also what New Zealand and other countries can do to change their fate.
Featuring interviews with high-profile contributors such as Dr Jane Goodall, environmentalist and former actress Suzy Amis Cameron, and Cowspiracy co-director, Keegan Kuhn, Milked reveals the behind-the-scenes reality of the kiwi dairy farming fairy-tale.
Live music
Piyush Misra has been performing at festivals and restaurants for more than 15 years. He brings his own loops in keyboards and sings covers and original songs. When singing covers, he sings in his own special style – Indian fusion.
Soul Star Tribe are a group featuring people of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and fitness levels drawn together by their enthusiasm for belly dance.
Piyush Misra has been performing at festivals and restaurants for more than 15 years. He brings his own loops in keyboards and sings covers and original songs. When singing covers, he sings in his own special style – Indian fusion.
Soul Star Tribe are a group featuring people of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and fitness levels drawn together by their enthusiasm for belly dance.
Piyush Misra has been performing at festivals and restaurants for more than 15 years. He brings his own loops in keyboards and sings covers and original songs. When singing covers, he sings in his own special style – Indian fusion.
Soul Star Tribe are a group featuring people of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and fitness levels drawn together by their enthusiasm for belly dance.
Piyush Misra has been performing at festivals and restaurants for more than 15 years. He brings his own loops in keyboards and sings covers and original songs. When singing covers, he sings in his own special style – Indian fusion.
Kids Zone
All day play and fun!
All day play and fun!We’ve got an awesome bouncy castle that features a dragon slide.
Kids can bounce around and then slide down a dragon for an exciting adventure.
But that’s not all – we’ve also created a chill-out space where kids can relax and enjoy creative activities like drawing and crafting. Our friendly volunteers will be there to assist and ensure everyone has a great time.
So, bring your little ones over, let them make new friends, enjoy the dragon slide, and discover the wonders of vegan living in a laid-back atmosphere!
Date
Sunday, 15 October 2023
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