Esther Bukholt
Former Programme Manager at Recreation Aotearoa | New Zealand
Esther Bukholt is the director of Solstone, a leadership, engagement, and strategic development consultancy based in New Zealand. She is committed to supporting the development of stronger communities by unlocking unrealised potential for climate action through power-sharing, collaboration, and co-design. Her work includes supporting organisations to work bi-culturally with Māori, Aotearoa's indigenous people.
As Programme Manager of Recreation Aotearoa, Esther led highly subscribed programmes through which her team reshaped professional development delivery. Giving equal weight to indigenous and western knowledge and processes, she has helped dismantle 180 years of colonisation among a 5,000 strong membership base. As a result, Māori speakers, language, frameworks, and action now drive the conference direction and content and the Aotearoa recreation sector is better placed to envisage the future more creatively, collaborate meaningfully, and better respond to challenges in the sector, including climate change. “Tihei Mauri Ora!”