Christchurch Quaker Forum

Christchurch Quaker Forum

These forums are an expression of the long-standing Quaker concern for what we call 'the SPICES': simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship.

A knowledgeable presenter introduces the topic, giving a short outline of issues and questions. The floor is then open for discussion, which is the heart of the evening. Finally, more informal discussion follows over tea and biscuits.

We aim to hold the forums in line with our Quaker principles. We hold a brief silence before the presenter starts to speak. We aim to ensure that all those who wish to speak have the opportunity to do so, and that each person's contribution is listened to respectfully. Everyone is welcome.

NEXT FORUM:   7:30pm on Wednesday 11 March at the Quaker Centre

The speaker is Colin Meurk, who will speak about "Reflections - natural identity, vision and role for our city and region"

Colin Meurk (ONZM) is a well known New Zealand ecologist who has dedicated much of his working life to preserving the Travis Wetland in Christchurch and is president of the Trust at present. He has been involved in a wide variety of ecological restoration projects across Otautahi Christchurch and has advocated for the creation of an eco-sanctuary in the Red Zone similar to the Zealandia project in Wellington. Colin played a key role in creating the Christchurch 360 Trail which circles Otautahi Christchurch and demonstrates the ecological diversity within the city.

Earlier Forum Topics

• March 2026, "Reflections on natural identity, vision and role for our city and region", Colin Meurk

• November 2025, "Fire - humanity's oldest tool or oldest enemy?", Charlie Fleischmann

• October 2025, "How AI will change our personal worlds as we know it. For better or worse?", George Frost

• September 2025, "Gaza and the sins of Europe", Tony (Jamal) Green

• August 2025, "Protecting our future - with a focus on the Denniston Plateau", Eugenie Sage

• July 2025, "Canterbury Regional Council hopes and achievements", Greg Byrnes

• June 2025, "Family Violence", Abbie Muir

• May 2025, "Reintegration and the Prison System", Roger Kemp

• April 2025, "Safety and its Enemies: they may not be what you think", David Elms

• March 2025, "Long-term Disaster Recovery: can we do better and how?", Rod Cameron

• November 2023, "Youth Health Centre", Dr Sue Bagshaw

• August 2023, "Anthropological Understandings of Violence", Hillary Haldane

• June 2023, "Attitudes towards Violence", Dr Andrew Frost

• May 2023, "Reflections on her years as a Green activist and advocate", Jeanette Fitzsimons

• March 2023, "Resilient Cities", Lianne Dalziel

• August 2021, "Community Justice", Roger Kemp

• July 2021, "Christchurch as a National Park City", Colin Meurk

• June 2021, "The role of community housing", Garry Moore and Pam Sharpe

• May 2021, "Thriving wildlife on our doorstep: how the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust aims to restore local ecosystems", Penny Carnaby and Sarah Wilson

• April 2021, "Parking and its problems: Can we ever get it right?", Axel Downard-Wilke

• March 2021, "Social Enterprise: How to build a better future", Ani Kartikasari

• October 2020, "Domestic and Family Violence in Christian Faith Communities - Why does this occur?", Annabel Taylor

• September 2020, "When will we ever learn to learn? - moving beyond competition", Belinda de Zwart and Rod Cameron

• August 2020, "No Way to Treat a Child", Lois Griffiths

• July 2020, "The End of Life Choice Act and the Referendum", Lindy Harwood

• March 2020, "Forestry and Climate Change", Euan Mason

• November 2019, "Aspects of Terrorism", Neville Reilly

• October 2019, "Is Religion Necessary?", Arthur Wells

• September 2019, "Local Democracy - what should we be thinking about when we vote?", Garry Moore

• August 2019, "Mental Health: issues, problems and progress", Peter Miller

• July 2019, "Free Speech", Caroline Mason

• June 2019, "Cannabis Referendum 2020: the devil is in the details, but will we vote on the details?", Doug Sellman

• May 2019, "From the ground up: future Christchurch communities", Susan Krumdiek

• April 2019, "Being a Muslim", Two Christchurch Muslims

• November 2018, "Is justice just?", John Burrows

• October 2018, "Care for Kiwis deported from Australia", Helen Murphy

• September 2018, "Drinking water quality - safe or too safe?", Rob Dewhirst

• August 2018, "We are water, water is us", Mananui Ramsden

• July 2018, Community and the law", Paul O'Neill

• June 2018, "Our garden city", Diana Madgin

• May 2018, "The power of community", Margaret Jeffries

• April 2018, "The purpose of a city", Neville Reilly