Kia ora koutou,

The 7th Annual Taranaki Sustainable Backyards Trail has officially launched! Our first-ever 16-page Backyards Booklet is now available at your local i-Site, and yes it is fully compostable. Visitors can checkout 30 properties along with the myriad of inspiring events this Spring. There are nearly 100 in 10 days!

Watch our DIY videos to help you get started at home: Seed Propagation, Water Collection & Lasagne Layering.

Be sure to purchase your tickets early for the Growers Gathering, and our first-ever Bespoke Backyard Bus Tour.

Check out our What’s on Section to learn how to get involved in our community and attend workshops that will support your sustainable hīkoi (journey).

Do you want to take that extra step? Have Your Say on the NPDC Emissions Reduction Plan to shape our future and/or join our Board of Trustees to guide our organsiation’s next steps.

Ngā mihi,

The Sustainable Taranaki tīma

Seed Propagation DIY Video

Learn simple tips to grow your own food with our DIY videos. August is the perfect time to sow seeds indoors or in a cold frame, and we hope you will be inspired to this Kōanga (Spring) to try something new. Click the image below to watch the seed propagation video.

A Free Event for the Whole Family!

The Treasure Hunt for Garden Explorers is hosted by 5. Bayley Terraces and aimed at families to help cultivate intergenerational learning. It’s a fun and educational way to involve our tamariki during both weekends of the Trail (29 - 30 Oct & 5 - 6 Nov). Take home a seed packet and go in the draw to win an Insect Hotel made by 25. The Little Insect Farm.

The Backyard of the Month

Each month, we will highlight a backyard featured in the Trail. First up is 28. St Mary’s Community Garden. The South Taranaki Community Garden/maara celebrated its very first planting with tamariki from Hawera High School and Tawhiti School. The garden is alive with energy and community that will continue to flourish.

Join this mahi and come to the working bees 5th and 14th of August, 12 - 3 pm.

Community Collector - Fill a Bag!

Become part of St Mary’s Community Garden by becoming a collector! Follow 3 simple steps to help create compost for the garden beds. Contact Alice for more information.

Are YOU Getting an EV?

Making the leap to electric is clearly something that more people are keen to do. After co-hosting “Electricarna: EVs explained” alongside Venture Taranaki, we decided to follow up on attendees to find out what had changed.

Interested in purchasing an EV? We recommend Philip Brown, better known as The Car Man - our region’s expert dealer of electric vehicles. He is also a Backyard Blitzer supporter for this year’s Backyards Trail.

Upcoming Workshops

Get a new skill under your belt with our Sashiko-Inspired Workshop, or discover new ways to use Herbs In The Kitchen. Wanting to make your home warmer and dryer so whānau stay healthy? Come along to the SAVE workshops and chat with our experts. Spaces are limited so get your tickets now.

Shape Your Future Now

Have you checked out the NPDC Emissions Reduction Plan? SAVE Specialist & Advisor - Jamie Silk shares his opinion on the plan and explains the urgency of taking action. Read his article and Have Your Say!

We Want You!

If you’re passionate about the environment and progressing toward a zero-carbon future then we want to hear from you! We're on the lookout for Board of Trustees so join our dynamic team to help champion biodiversity.

Meet the Team - Chauncy Ardell

Trustee

Chauncy is keen to support our planet and its inhabitants based on the cornerstones of social, environmental, economic, cultural, and spiritual sustainability. During his varied life journey, he has explored volcanic Pacific islands, created permaculture tepee retreats, played in noisy punk bands, and has lived in beautiful wildlife reserves.

In recent years he has been helping to grow biodiversity restoration with community groups, rangatahi, local and central government, and ordinary folks. One of his roles is the Urban Project Lead for Taranaki Taku Tūranga – Towards Predator Free Taranaki, where he strives to build and maintain a strong collective vision and environmental restoration outcomes with wonderful, diverse communities.

Events Calendar

Local environmentally and community-focused events, all in one place!

Are you passionate about sustainability and supporting our growing community? Follow us on Facebook, join our Sustainable Taranaki Community Facebook Group, and get involved in local events and educational opportunities!.