Christchurch Invitation
Plains Media
Produced By: Plains Media
Programme Website
The aftermath of the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019 produced a sense of unreality; that “this is not us! This is not Aotearoa New Zealand. These things don’t happen here.” That same aftermath saw a wave of compassion. One response to all of this was the quiet launch of The Christchurch Invitation: Mahia te Aroha (Action the Compassion) – as a platform for inclusive conversations. Listen to “Christchurch Invitation" for conversations with a wide range of people – about identity and what it means to belong. We talk to people who know who they are and see past labels; who may have interesting perspectives from other, cultures and or traditions, or who’ve observed how communities across the world deal with challenges.
All Episodes
Christchurch Invitation - Ep 26: Patrick O’Conner: A celebratory notion of difference
Published: 19/11/2025 9:00 a.m.
Patrick O’Conner’s life been with people and communities. Growing up as one of six children in a home shaped by practical, Catholic values, his father’s reminder was for your work to be “kind and charitable.” The 1969 anti-Springbok tour spoke to consequences of injustice, but he saw injustices at home. In 1991, together with Herman Ah Kuoi, Patrick set up the Pasifika Education and Employment Training Organisation. And PEETO led into much other work for refugees and migrants in Christchurch.
Christchurch Invitation - Ep. 25: Peri Drysdale: Untouched World, Sustainability, and Finding Common Ground
Published: 05/11/2025 9:00 a.m.
As a company name, “Untouched World” hints at something quietly distinctive: beautiful materials, restrained elegance and a significant recognition for sustainability. I met founder and CEO, Peri Drysdale, at this year’s “Unity in Diversity” dinner – an annual event driven by mosque attack survivor, Farid Ahmed. I was curious about these worlds meeting, and the common ground she sees. Hence this conversation – about her journey, challenges, and the path to an embracing sense of responsibility.
Christchurch Invitation - Ep 24: Student Co-Design Team – Action the Compassion
Published: 22/10/2025 9:00 a.m.
"This conversation brings together three members of a student co-design team “Action the Compassion”: Eric Antony, Teresa Steiner, and Ewan Mander. The Action the Compassion student huis developed out of the same origin as these Christchurch Invitation podcasts. Their focus is on students from across Christchurch and Canterbury coming together from their different schools and backgrounds to frame and explore conversations about the issues that impact on them. Today it's the issue of pressure."
Christchurch Invitation - Ep. 23: Sir Mark Solomon: "Connections, relationships, and knowing who you are"
Published: 08/10/2025 9:00 a.m.
For Tā Mark Solomon knowing who you are; knowing your family's relationships; and treating others with respect are crucial. As Kaiwhakahaere of Ngā Tahu for eighteen years, he learned to listen to the ones outside the meeting, and to watch the strong influence of women elders. In China "the man who buys all your crayfish" reminded him of the need to be visible. In this korero he talks of recognising our massively changing demographics and the power of the Māori economy.
Christchurch Invitation - Ep. 22: Wayne Marriott: "Conflict management and restoring social balance"
Published: 24/9/2025 9:00 a.m.
If conflicts are a fact of life, left unmanaged, they can be costly. And not just in financial terms. Yet, “when handled constructively, conflict is a normal and useful part of life.” Today, Wayne Marriott speaks of his work in conflict resolution and management, mediation and more – in short, peace building. In this work, resolving conflicts must go beyond surface problems to the heart of an issue; to relationships, and to recognise that healing is done 'with' people, not 'to' or 'for' them.
