An early start saw the team gather at the office before sunrise, coffees in hand and Secret Santa gifts tucked under arms, before heading up to Leigh. The plan had originally included snorkelling, but the ocean had other ideas. A solid swell rolling in meant all water activities were cancelled for the week. Slightly gutted, but also very on brand for a team that works in energy and nature to roll with conditions and adapt.
Instead, the day pivoted to a land based exploration at Matheson Bay with the Te Kohuroa Rewilding Initiative. If you are not familiar with Te Kohuroa, they are a community led group restoring the marine ecosystem at Matheson Bay through long term voluntary action. Less talk, more hands on mahi. Exactly our kind of people.
After arriving at Goat Island Marine Reserve, the team was welcomed and introduced to the kaupapa behind the rewilding work. What followed was a guided walk through the reserve, exploring the coastline, rocky tide pools and freshwater stream, learning how land, sea and people are all connected whether we choose to acknowledge it or not.
Phones were out, but not for emails. Instead, the team used tools like iNaturalist and the Aotearoa species classifier to log observations and identify species along the way. It was equal parts science, curiosity and friendly competition, with plenty of “what’s this one?” moments along the track.
Closed shoes were essential, hats and sunglasses were strongly encouraged, and everyone stayed to the paths unless directed otherwise. The terrain was uneven in places, the rocks slippery, and the weather doing its usual coastal thing, but Te Kohuroa guided the group carefully through it all. It was a good reminder that being outdoors, like working in energy, comes with real world risks that are best managed by paying attention and looking out for one another.
By late morning the formal activities wrapped up, leaving some time for a swim and a wander at Matheson Bay for those keen, followed by a bus ride into Leigh for a long lunch at the Sawmill Cafe. If the morning was about learning and reflection, lunch was about catching up, laughing, swapping gifts and properly exhaling after a big year.
By mid afternoon it was back on the road, sun tired and sandy, rolling back into Auckland with a few options for kick ons for those who still had energy to burn.
It was not the day we originally planned, but it was probably the day we needed. A reset. A reminder that the systems we work on are bigger than us, slower than us, and worth protecting. Massive thanks to Kat, Callie and the team at Te Kohuroa Rewilding for hosting us, and to everyone at SUPA for leaning into the day, even when the swell had other ideas.
Sometimes the best Christmas parties are the ones that leave you a little bit muddy, a little bit tired, and a lot more connected to the place you live and the people you work with.
Here's to a big 2025 and a massive 2026!
