One Year of Ōtautahi in Practice: Celebrating the Stories That Shape Our Learning City
One year ago, we set out with a simple question:
What if we celebrated learning through the stories of the people shaping Ōtautahi?
This question became Ōtautahi in Practice, a podcast show hosted by Erica Austin and Sam Woolf, to shine a light on the people, places, and practices that make our city a place of lifelong learning.
Over the past year, we've had the privilege of sitting down with leaders, educators, storytellers, entrepreneurs, community builders, artists, technologists, sustainability advocates, and changemakers. Each kōrero has reminded us that learning doesn't only happen in classrooms. It happens in boardrooms and community gardens, makerspaces and martial arts studios, governance tables and cultural movements, around kitchen tables and through everyday acts of courage and curiosity.
Thank you to our 23 guests: Amy Knudsen, Pia Titus, Thomas Blakie, Idoia Alday Gonzalez, Caroline Thalund, Hana Kininmont, Zoë Hector, Stephanie Defregger, Alice Dimond, Nina OBerg Humphries, Kai J. Lee, Tarryn Ryan, Jenna Kelly, Lottie Vinson, Atarau Hamilton, Natasha Zimmerman, Ben Alder, Heather Milne, James Bishop, Shannon Ball, Anita Yarwood, Elle Archer and Nico Reyes Cortés.
“While listening to the conversation, I also reflected on my own experience and felt parts that are relevant to how I learned! This is a full-on high fidelity product. Great recording quality and complementing energy between the co-hosts. Very nicely done!”
What We've Learned
As we've listened to our guests, some common threads have emerged.
Learning is deeply relational. Time and again, our guests have spoken about the people who believed in them, challenged them, and helped them grow.
Learning is non-linear. The journeys we've heard are rarely straightforward. They are full of unexpected opportunities, setbacks, pivots, and moments of uncertainty that ultimately become the most valuable lessons.
Learning is grounded in place. Ōtautahi Christchurch is more than a backdrop, it's an active participant in these stories. From neighbourhood initiatives to cross-sector collaborations, our city continues to demonstrate the power of local action and collective learning.
And perhaps most importantly,
Learning is something we do together. Whether it's sharing knowledge across organisations, building movements within communities, or creating opportunities for the next generation, every episode has shown that our greatest progress comes through collaboration.
More Than a Podcast
Ōtautahi in Practice has become more than a collection of kōrero. It has become a living archive of our city's learning culture.
Each episode captures not only what someone knows, but how they came to know it. It preserves stories of experimentation, resilience, generosity, and hope - stories that might otherwise never be told.
These conversations remind us that everyone has something to teach, and everyone has something to learn.
Ngā mihi
This milestone would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of our guests, who have trusted us with their stories and shared their learning so openly.
We're also deeply grateful to Plains Media, whose partnership has made this podcast possible. From training and technical support to studio access and encouragement, they've helped us grow as storytellers and podcasters.
Thank you to everyone who has listened, shared an episode, recommended a guest, or encouraged us along the way. Every conversation, every download, and every connection helps strengthen our vision of Ōtautahi as a city where learning is visible, celebrated, and accessible to everyone.
Looking Ahead
As we begin our second year, we're excited to continue exploring the many ways learning comes to life across our city. There are still so many stories waiting to be told. We'll continue to celebrate courageous curiosity, amplify diverse voices, and explore what it means to build a learning city where knowledge is shared, connections are strengthened, and everyone has the opportunity to contribute.
Because at its heart, Ōtautahi in Practice has never just been about recording conversations. It's about creating a city where learning is practised every day.
Here's to another year of curiosity, connection, and learning together.
Ngā mihi nui from Erica and Sam, Ako Ōtautahi Learning City Christchurch.