Celebrating Six Years of Learning in Action in Ōtautahi Christchurch
From equity and innovation to storytelling and systems change: a city learning together.
Since 2020, Ako Ōtautahi Learning City Christchurch has partnered with the global Remake Learning Days movement to bring a city-wide celebration of learning to life. What began as a response to disruption has evolved into a powerful, connected ecosystem of people, places, and ideas — all contributing to a shared vision:
Ōtautahi Christchurch is where transformational learning thrives.
Over six years, Ōtautahi Learning Days has sparked thousands of conversations, hundreds of collaborations, and countless moments of curiosity and connection.
From reading flash mobs to digital storytelling, from youth innovation to community-led learning, the festival has shown what’s possible when a city commits to learning together.
Ōtautahi Learning Days is more than an event. It’s a catalyst for connection, innovation, and systems change, empowering our city to keep learning, together.
A Journey Through Six Years of Impact
Each year of Ōtautahi Learning Days has reflected the needs, challenges, and opportunities of its time, evolving alongside the city itself.
In 2020, amid the uncertainty of COVID-19, the festival pivoted quickly to a hybrid model. A strong focus on equity, access, and innovation led to the launch of the Digital Equity Action Sprint, bringing together communities, educators, and industry to respond to urgent needs.
By 2021, the focus deepened — rebuilding connection post-lockdown and amplifying youth voices. Community-led initiatives like the Reading Flashmob and Cultural Narrative Hikoi began to shape a more participatory and visible culture of learning.
In 2022, the spotlight turned to innovation in equity. Programmes like Kura ki Pakihi created space for rangatahi to pitch ideas and engage directly with real-world challenges, connecting learning with future pathways.
2023 marked a moment of reconnection. Under the theme Kotuituia: Connecting Curiosity, storytelling, hands-on experiences, and partnerships flourished, strengthening ties locally and globally.
In 2024, the vision became more tangible: Ōtautahi as a Learning City in action. With strong collaboration across libraries, organisations, and community hosts, learning was not just celebrated, it was embedded across the city.
And in 2025, the theme of Storytelling brought everything together. Through podcasts, digital storytelling workshops, and community narratives, the festival amplified lived experiences and highlighted the transformative power of sharing our stories.
Over six years, the impact has been both wide-reaching and deeply felt:
5,000+ learners engaged across in-person and virtual spaces
180+ learning events spanning education, culture, sustainability, technology, and equity
150+ partnersacross schools, organisations, and community groups
50,000+ social impressions amplifying learning stories across the city
But beyond the numbers, it’s the connections, collaborations, and confidence built along the way that truly define this journey.
Stories of Transformation
Digital Equity in Action
From 2020 to 2022, digital equity became a rallying point. Initiatives like the Digital Equity Action Sprint and Kura ki Pakihi connected students, civic leaders, and industry professionals to co-design solutions (from youth wellbeing apps to pathways into future)focused careers.
“We were inspired, humbled, and very grateful to hear from rangatahi - a glimpse of what the future could look like if we collaborate and listen.”
Reading, Storytelling, and Voice
What started as a Reading Flashmob with 150 tamariki grew into a city-wide movement celebrating storytelling in all its forms. By 2025, storytelling had expanded into podcasts, digital media, and intergenerational projects.
“My videos aren’t perfect, but this workshop gave me the confidence to share our mahi. It’s opened up new opportunities across my workplace.”
Community at the Centre
Learning Days has always been about collective creation — from food resilience and placemaking to wellbeing and regeneration.
“It was inspiring to see community voices shape how Ōtautahi views itself as a Learning City.”
A Thread of Equity and Inclusion
Equity has been a constant through every year of the festival. What began with a focus on digital access has grown into a broader commitment to inclusion, embracing cultural storytelling, wellbeing, and learning through lived experience.
“Equity is not just about households - it’s about individuals.”
At the heart of Ōtautahi Learning Days is collaboration. Over the years, enduring partnerships with education providers, community organisations, and national networks have transformed the festival into a living ecosystem.
Together, these partners have helped position Ōtautahi Christchurch as an international model of a Learning City - one that is connected, innovative, and deeply grounded in community.
Looking Ahead: From a Week to a Movement
As the festival continues to grow, so does the ambition.
There is a shared aspiration to move beyond a single week of celebration and toward a year-round culture of learning. Future priorities include:
Expanding digital equity initiatives
Mapping the Learning City ecosystem
Strengthening storytelling and media partnerships
Deepening global connections