While Kiwiburn is a great place to let loose and radically express yourself, we also want to create a culture where everyone feels safe and respected. It’s very important for all of us to work together to create a consent-oriented culture on the Paddock. We want to have a comfortable and safe space for us to come together and have fun, while also respecting each other’s boundaries.
We will promote: consent, boundaries, mutual respect and requests, and communication to make our interactions clear and safe.
One way in which we can ensure our own behaviour is respectful of others is by following the five pillars of consent.
Consent must be:
- Mandatory
- Revocable
- Conscious
- Enthusiastic
- Verbal and Ongoing
If you’re not sure about whether what you’re doing is okay, just ask. Be aware of the people around you and think about how you might feel if you were them. Sometimes people don’t want to hug you, don’t want pictures taken of themselves, or don’t want you all up in their personal space.
If someone says “no”, they mean it. A good way to receive and respect their “no” is by saying thank you.
It is your responsibility to make sure your actions aren’t negatively affecting other people, even if you’re intoxicated. There are no excuses for being a creep. Have a close read of the Guiding Principles. Radical Self-expression doesn’t mean you can radically self-express yourself all over someone else. Civic Responsibility is to ensure everyone is having a good time… not just you. Think of this in terms of ‘radical self-awareness’ rather than ‘radical self-entitlement’. If someone is intoxicated, they may be unable to give their full consent. If you ask and don’t get a clear response, just assume they don’t consent. Please be open to other people’s interpretations of the situation, rather than getting defensive. If someone thinks you crossed a line with them, believe them – this is not the time for you to debate why what you did was all good. It’s their line; they get to make the decision about their own body.
Let us know
If someone is abusive or behaving in a way that makes you uncomfortable, we want you to be able to report it. It is likely that other people could be affected by the same person, so please tell someone with a radio like Black Sheep Rangers, the Depot, or our security workers, Consent Club. Ask them to report it to the Site Manager, whose job it is to keep an eye on things. If you see people repeatedly crossing boundaries in a way that doesn’t seem right, please let us know. If there are dangerous or predatory people at our event, it may be in everyone’s best interests to remove them, but we need to know who they are first.
Consent Club
We are here to promote consent culture on the Paddock. We will be walking around and greeting people at the parties and events, checking in to make sure people are being safe and having a good time. If you see us wearing our consent guardian shirts and walking in pairs, come say hi! We’d love to chat about consent and respect with you! We’ll also have a special tent in the Service Lane that is open to anyone who needs support or someone to talk to. The tent will be open for people to drop in, day and night, with clear posted hours. Everything said is confidential and important to us and you.
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Taking Photos at Kiwiburn?
We love it when people take photos of our event, but please make sure you are sensitive to other people’s boundaries. That naked person running around the fire may well be a tax accountant who doesn’t want to be tagged on Facebook for employers and family members to see. Don’t publicly share any sensitive photos, unless you have expressed permission to do so. Not sure if it’s a good time to take photos? Just ask.
Taking more than just a happy snap for personal use? Read our guide.
Photographers can get more information from our Photography Liaison.
Check out this guide for operating drones in New Zealand. Please note that we will only allow official drone to be operated during Kiwiburn 2023, that is drones that were approved and cleared by the Communications team. Questions? Ask us
Image credit: Amy Potenger
