Critical Signals
Critical Signals is a collective endeavour for creative resilience: a gathering place for people who believe communities shape their own futures.
Critical Signals is a three month gathering, practicing community resilience in person based in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand.
We collaborate with artists, academics, activists, scientists, technologists, makers and the public to explore crises, commons and community, stimulating critical discourse and action through trusted networks.
2026 Themes
Democracy and Energy
Stuff that Sustains
The life, culture, energy, and resources that sustain us, and what might be enough.
Community Energy
The infrastructure and the people that keep us alive, with the collective will to act together.
Unfolding Futures
The multiple futures unfolding before us, and how we prepare in community.
Next Step Democracy
What comes next for the ways we work, decide, and build our own worlds together.
Politics of Space
How we utilise the power of space and place in ways that enable us all.
Areas of Focus
- Next Step Democracy
- The Future of Energy
- Te Tiriti + Land Based Futures
- Disaster Preparedness
- Community Infrastructure
- De-Growth / Post-Growth
- Commoning Spaces Together
- Thriving Social Hubs
- Housing Cooperatives
- Sufficiency / Enough
- Reclaiming the Future
