The waterways of Mohua (Golden Bay), including the Takaka River that winds through Twisted’s festival grounds, are some of the most precious remaining waterways in the world - he taonga tūturu; true treasures. Among them, Te Waikoropupū Springs shine as the crown jewel, home to the clearest waters ever recorded, a symbol of purity and transformation. These waters transmute so much energy during the festival season, we have witnessed people who have been up all night completely transformed after bathing in the awa that runs alongside the Twisted site.

And so, in the face of mounting threats to these sacred waters, we invite you to a workshop and film screening to explore how we can respond to the crisis unfolding here. The waters recently gained a small victory with a Water Conservation Order that shields them from the rise in nitrogen levels due to industrial land use—but the threat has only deepened. Siren Gold, an Australian mining company, now plans to open a gold mine at Sam’s Creek, in a valley just a stone’s throw from the festival grounds. This site, rich in arsenic-laden rock, feeds into the aquifer that sustains Te Waikoropupū Springs. A mine here would spell disaster for the waters of Mohua.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Timothy Firkin and ‘Save our Springs” coordinator Kevin Moran. Where we will update everyone on the current status of the campaign and how they can join in the resistance. Kevin will also be reciting shamanic poetry, backed by live instrumentation as an invocation and offering for our wai. Timothy Firkin - is an Aotearoa-born Mãori documentary filmmaker and environmental activist who has a strong commitment and vision to create purpose-driven stories that serve to raise awareness about, and offer solutions to, the myriad environmental threats our natural world faces. Kevin Fiadh Moran - a staunch water protector, activist, writer and shamanic poet, has coordinated the Save Our Springs (SOS) Campaign since 2017.