Auckland Council

Community Groups

There are many groups in the Auckland community working to make change. Discover programmes you can get involved in or local groups you can join.

Get involved in a community group

Get involved

There are a range of community programmes you can get involved with across Auckland.

Become a volunteer in your local park and join of community of people who look after our parks - from one-off days to regular volunteering. Planting days are another great opportunity to meet people and make a difference. Visit Nature Space to find a 'Friends of the Park' group near you.

If you're interested in helping at your local community garden, check out this list to find the closest one to you.

Conservation Volunteers New Zealand also work with business and community groups on conservation projects.

If you'd like to find more opportunities, Environment and Conservation Organisations (ECO) of Aotearoa has a number of groups including contact information and news.

Get funded

Get Funded

Need help getting your idea to live lightly off the ground? There are a range of community grants and funds available for eligible groups through Auckland Council and other groups.

These may be for local projects through Local Boards or for projects that are relevant to the region. All Council grants are accessed through a contestable and online format called SmartyGrants. There are Grants advisors available to help. You can apply for Auckland Specific Grants that relate to the themes of living lightly.

The Ministry for Environment and other agencies also offer national funds at various times over the year.

Find community groups

Find community groups near you

There are many groups in the Auckland community working to make change. There’s so much to discover and get involved in, to learn more about how you can live lightly. 

Select your area of interest in Auckland

Click on an area below to select, click again to deselect. You can choose multiple areas.

Auckland North Community and Development - ANCAD

Supporting communities in Auckland North working together to build resilient safer sustainable and connected communities

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Devonport Initiatives - Sustainable Bags

Making "Sustainabags" to contribute back to support projects and community efforts. People are not just buying the bag, but the initiative - supporting people, supporting the environment and raising awareness to reduce single plastic bag use

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Devonport Recycling Centre

Drop off centre and shop for Recycling  Reuse and diversion from landfill

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Helensville Community Recycling Centre

Drop off centre and shop for waste to be recycled or reused.

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The Humanity Collective Charitable Trust

Founded in 2013, Humanity provides better choices.

Their mission is to source and manufacture long-lasting and sustainable products that are part of a circular economy.

 

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Kaipatiki Project

At home and across neighbourhoods, Kaipatiki helps people live more sustainably. Regenerating the environment and connecting communities. Based in Birkdale, serves all of Auckland.

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Grey Lynn 2030

A local response to the ideas of the Transition initiative. A participatory community organisation building neighbourhood spirit and cooperation while working towards a self–reliant, positive, resilient, vibrant, connected and sustainable community. 

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Auckland Cycling Group

A friendly community of biking enthusiasts who put on loads of great events from easy to expert. Check out upcoming meetups and sign up, there's always something on. Auckland-wide.

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Kai Auckland

Kai Auckland offers a cohesive and integrated approach to enhancing, sharing, further mobilising and celebrating the success of a food movement that is currently underway in Auckland. 

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Pacific Vision Aotearoa (PVA)

Working towards zero waste for Pacific People and their communities. Based in Otara.

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Waiheke Resources Trust

Working towards sustainable outcomes for Waiheke Island, aiming to showcase Waiheke as a sustainable community in action.

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Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity builds brighter futures, strong foundations, healthier children and stronger families.

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Para Kore

The Para Kore programme is designed to support marae to reduce waste.

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Mt Eden Village People

A community group, dedicated to positive change towards a more sustainable lifestyle within our community.

Repair Cafe

Repair Cafes brings local people together, in a positive way to collaborate and fix broken items. 

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Our Climate Declaration

Not a petition, but a tool for change. This movement aims to create a future where our climate is protected

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350 Aotearoa

Citizens organizing to transform local communities to solve the climate crisis. They are focused on institutions divesting from fossil fuels.

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Community Gardens

Community gardens help people who might otherwise might otherwise find it difficult to access land for growing food. A map has been created to show the locations of all the community gardens in Auckland.

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Sustainable Papakura

A community hub where people can learn about being sustainable and plastic free and visit stalls by local artists and crafters. 

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Tamaki WRAP

Helping the community on ways to reduce waste and support other groups and organisations to have a waste reduction kaupapa.

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Garden to Table

Garden to Table works with thousands of primary-school-aged children all across New Zealand, helping them discover a love for fresh food and skills that will last a lifetime.

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Tread Lightly

Environmental Education caravan visiting schools with sustainability message

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Splice

Social and environmental justice group offering a wide range of inclusive activities in the City based at The Ellen Melville Centre

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Transition Point Chevalier

Part of Transition Towns movement. Transition Point Chevalier have active sub-groups up and running: The Community Garden at the Old Homestead with the Dignan Street Community Garden Hub, Bulk Purchasing Group Resource Pool for community members who would like to borrow mulchers, hoes, juicers etc.

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Devo TT (Transistion Town Devonport )

Part of Transition Towns movement bringing people together to explore how communities can respond to the environmental, economic and social challenges arising from climate change, resource depletion and an economy based on growth. 

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Transition Towns Aotearoa

Community led movement bringing people together to explore how to respond to the environmental, economic and social challenges arising from climate change, resource depletion and an economy based on growth. 

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Community Fruit Harvesting

Collect, process and preserve excess fruit and vegetables. Selling and donating produce as well as providing workshops on how to preserve excess fresh food

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Gardens for Health

The experienced Gardens4Health team provide practical advice and support for all seasons of food gardening and composting in Auckland conditions

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Inspired Clothing

Inspired Clothing was formed to save fabric and clothing from going to landfill. We create items that support the reduction of plastic use and waste while teaching sewing skills .

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Kaipatiki Community Facilities Trust

Supporting sustainable neighbourhoods through a wide range of projects.

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The Bike Kitchen

The Roskill Bike Kitchen is a community bike programme born out of a need for broader transport options in Auckland’s Puketāpapa area. The Bike Kitchen was created as a place to service the bikes of locals. It also serves the needs of newly resettled former refugees by providing those who need them, bicycles.

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Sustainable coastlines

Enabling people to look after the coastlines and waterways

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Rākau Tautoko

Building engagement and community empowerment through social enterprise and sustainability projects

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Talking Rubbish - ME Family Services

Waste reduction facilitation to build a legacy from the resources contained in the materials and parts of the community that tend to get discarded.

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Talking Trash Manurewa - Te Awa Ora

Education on waste minimisation practices, as well as advice on recycling, composting  and growing vegetables, and how to save money by using reuseable cloth nappies, making their own laundry and cleaning products. Part of the Te Awa Ora Trust

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I AM Papakura

Connecting community and care for Papatūānuku in Papakura. A source of positivity, creativity, sustainability and waste minimisation.

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Waiuku Zero Waste

A community run, non profit company committed to reducing waste by recycling, upcycling and repairing goods.

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Helensville Community Recycling Centre (1)

Drop off centre and shop for waste to be recycled or reused.

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Global Action Plan Oceania (GAPO)

A Trust that educates and trains people and organisations in all aspects of environment and sustainability

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MPHS Recycle

Part of MPHS Community Trust, the shop is an oasis of worthy pre-loved objects in the middle of the bustling Waitakere Refuse and Recycling Centre

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Auckland North Community and Development - ANCAD

Supporting communities in Auckland North working together to build resilient safer sustainable and connected communities

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Gecko Trust NZ

Bringing people and nature together to build ecological and community wellbeing. Offers tools, knowledge and the neighbours and work colleagues who want to make a positive difference and engage the power of nature.

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St Luke Protection Society (STEPS) - Meola Creek

Protect and enhance the environment and amenities in the St Lukes area.

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Auckland Region Migrants Service (ARMS)

Support for recent and established migrants to Auckland with a focus on training, sustainability, waste reduction and community building.

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Zero Waste Network

Represents community enterprises working towards zero waste with a mission to connect, educate, enable and inspire them to reach their goals and to be a unifying voice at local, regional and central government levels.

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Papatuanuku Kokiri Marae

Showcase for sustainable living through organic gardening, health and wellbeing and education services as well as being a Para kore marae.

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Organic Edible Garden and Kitchen

Online community for all things organic gardening and cooking

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OraTaiao : New Zealand Climate & Health Council

Health professionals group calling for urgent and fair climate action - with real health gains now and for the future

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The GeneNow Financial Literacy Trust

Supporting communities to save money, reduce waste and prepare food efficiently

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New Zealand Youth Delegation

Seeking a safe, just climate future for New Zealand and the world each year the New Zealand Youth Delegation sends young people to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change annual Conference of the Parties (COP).

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Young Innovators Collective

Bring together a diverse group of young people, to work collaboratively on projects and issues that relate to them including sustainability and climate justice.

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A Rocha

Regional groups supporting conservation projects and sustainable living

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Zero waste NZ!

Facebook community group to share ideas on how to live zero waste and to build NZ's zero waste movement to support  living in a sustainable society

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Aotearoa Youth Leadership Institute

Working to train and inspire a new generation of leaders.  Programmes are open to any young people from Aotearoa - that is, any young person who resides here, or people from Aotearoa now based elsewhere in the globe

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Auckland 2040

A coalition of local apolitical groups passionately concerned about the long term implications of the Auckland Unitary Plan.

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Kaitahi

A community dining initiative turning rescued food  into delicious meals to share with our local community

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Conscious Consumers

Connecting businesses and consumers to make a difference to people and the planet

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Let's Make it Green

Empowering and facilitating workshops for all sorts of projects that will help create a more sustainable life.

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Permaculture Auckland

Promote permaculture through local groups

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Generation Zero

Youth-led organisation, focused on providing solutions for New Zealand to cut carbon pollution through smarter transport, liveable cities & independence from fossil fuels

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Keep Auckland Beautiful

Regional approaches to preventing litter and illegal dumping

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Beautification Trust

Connecting and empowering communities to learn, love and look after the environment. Get involved in beautification projects, community events, zero waste initiatives and environmental education.

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Katrina's Kitchen

Foodscaping homes & businesses to create an edible landscape.  

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Waste-Ed with Kate - Parenting, Cloth Nappies, & More

Kate and her team run courses and workshops to help parents into cloth nappies, and reduce their waste with other Waste Free Parenting Tips.

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Practically Green

Family of 6 share their tips

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Kiwi Harvest

Diverting waste food to people in need

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Mangere Bridge Friends of the Farm

Promoting a caring, connected, wastewise Mangere Bridge community

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MESST (Multi-Educational Support and Services Trust)

Local waste education and initiatives and community meals and gardening in Maungakiekie

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Love Food Hate Waste

Ideas and local groups to demonstrate how to reduce food going to landfill

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Vegan Meet ups Auckland

Different opportunities to meet like mindeds and eat plant based meals

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The Roots Creative Entrepreneurs

Empower young people by developing opportunities to showcase creativity, innovation, and design, while inspiring generations (community) about environmental awareness and sustainability.

Loopgroop

Repair and sell a diverse and ever-changing collection of refurbished (rescued from the inorganic collections)  

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The Reclaim Project

A collective of waste based social enterprises in Maungakiekie-Tāmaki.

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My Backyard Garden Project

Collective learning to receive and build a garden, compost, grow and cook food

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Kelmarna Organic Community Gardens & City Farm

A city farm and organic community garden on 4.5 acres of council-owned land in Ponsonby Workshops and gardening opportunities.

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For The Love Of Bees

For the Love of Bees is an artwork that imagines Auckland, and all of New Zealand becoming a sanctuary for pollinators through a people-powered collaboration. Offering workshops, projects, tools for action and community all are invited to get involved and imagine how bees could become the gateway to regenerating the commons.

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Plastic Diet

A youth-lead organisation dedicated to reducing single-use plastic waste and consumption.

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Auckland Teaching Gardens Trust Inc.

Auckland Teaching Gardens are established at 7 different parks around South Auckland to help enable local residents to learn basic gardening skills

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Mt Eden Community Garden

A dynamic organic community garden in the heart of Mt Eden

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EcoNeighbourhoods

Create & maintain a more sustainable lifestyle within your home & community

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Resource Rescue

A social enterprise specializing in saving electronics and appliances from the scrap dealer by repairing and rejuvenating them

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Akina Foundation

Amission is to grow the emerging New Zealand social enterprise sector by activating talent, raising awareness and building capability for social enterprise, and by developing new market and investment opportunities.

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Concious Action

Online community celebrating the current choices being taken to shape a more conscious way of living and working. Workshops and gatherings

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Parnell Trust

Community Centre, Farmers Market and sustainable living workshops

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The Peace Place (Aaiotanga)

A resource centre, clearing house and meeting place for peace-minded people and as a retreat from the city centre for study, meditation and reflection. Provide an inclusive space, promoting peace, non-violence, social and climate justice and inter-faith dialogue. People of all faiths or of no faith are welcome to take time out here, enjoy the library, use the internet or meet with others.

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Ark in the Park - Forest and Bird

Working to protect native plants, animals and wild places, on land and in oceans

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Cherished Earth

A Climate Justice Initiative of the Anglican Diocese of Auckland  

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Friends of the Farm

Promoting a caring, connected, sustainable, wastewise Mangere Bridge community

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Cafe Scientific

Speakers and discussions on science, politics, economics, psychology and sustainability and more

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Global Citizenship NZ Ltd

Free mentoring and education  to help empower a new generation of global citizens in New Zealand: young people who are aware of the interconnectedness of the world, the current social, environmental and ethical challenges the world faces, and are empowered with tools to make the world a better place from right here in Aotearoa. 

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P3 Foundation

Youth based organisation aiming to build climate resilience, climate justice and educate to eradicate poverty

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Neighbourhood Support North Shore

Neighbourhood Support North Shore works closely with the Police and other organisations to assist residents to improve safety reduce crime and be better prepared for an emergency.

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Neighbourhood Support Waitakere

Neighbourhood Support Waitakere works closely with the Police and other organisations to assist residents to improve safety reduce crime and be better prepared for an emergency.

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Great Barrier Environmental Trust

The Great Barrier Island Environmental Trust's vision is to protect native species through the eradication of rats and feral cats, to re-introduce species lost to the island, and to work towards building an ecology-based economic framework for Aotea/Great Barrier.

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Waste Wise Aotea (Envirokiwi)

Part of Envirokiwi with a goal to have a waste free Aotea . "Nature Knows No Waste". So reduce, reuse, recycle.

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The Now Crowd

A community of young professionals driving sustainability in the workplace. An initiative of Sustainable Business Network.

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Hearts and Minds

Formally Raeburn House, Hearts and Minds connects diverse vibrant communities. Promotes enhanced well-being and health for people and communities through gardens, workshops and support.

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PSA - Eco Network

The emergent Eco network consists of PSA members interested in generating union activity around sustainability in their workplaces, climate change and wider issues of environmental justice.

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Devonport Peninsula Trust

Activate and support sustainability and community events and services in the Devonport Peninsula area in partnership with Auckland Council and Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.

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Neighbourhood Suport Papakura

Working with Police to create a supportive and caring neighbourhood through resilience and community action.

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CIDANZ (Cook Islands Development Agency New Zealand)

Enabling Cook Islanders to positively contribute to New Zealand, Cook Islands and Worldwide through sustainable partnerships and a range of Economic and Social Development Services.

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Greenhithe Community Trust

A vision is for a vibrant, healthy and caring community through environmental restoration, workshops and drawing together resources and services,to mobilise the community to make Greenhithe a better place to live.

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Sustainable Paremoremo Group

Sustainable Paremoremo Group provides a social framework for the local community. Strives to generate social connection, harmony and ecological sustainability. The Pare-dise Project is one of many initiatives and programs facilitated by the group and aims to contribute to the North West Wildlink (regional wildlife corridor).

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Inspiring Communities

Inspiring Communities has been working since 2008 to grow the recognition, understanding and practice of community-led development in NZ

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All Heart NZ

Support non-profit community groups and the creation of community enterprise by providing a sustainability framework for corporate businesses to dispose of their no longer needed equipment.

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Triple T - Time to Thrive

Recovers, repairs and redistributes bikes in Mangere teaching young people to use and repair bikes

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Kaitiaki Sisters

Offer workshops and support community with workshops and advice on zero waste, upcycling, food waste reduction and sustainable lifestyles.
"Daughters of Papatuanuku. We care, we inform, we lead and we advocate innovative services for the environment and our whole well being as wahine toa"

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Māngere Mountain Education Centre

Visit Māngere  mountain, learn about geology, Māori lifeways and explore the heritage gardens and visitor centre. Your hosts are mana whenua - local people. The Mangere Mountain Education Centre provides guided walks over the mountain plus traditional gardens and a unique range of workshops and experiences for community and schools.

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Gribblehurst Community Hub

The Hub is a thriving community meeting space, focusing on making and creativity - the creative things that happen here are the things members want to do:  electronics, sewing, knitting, 3D printing, cooking, robotics Lego building and improv groups, with a game design group and a DIY bicycle workshop.

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Ecomatters

An Environment Centre offering practical advice and workshops around all things sustainable - composting, gardening, native plants nursery and energy saving advice.

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Onehunga Rising

Onehunga rising is a STITCH project, exploring the impact of climate change in Onehunga, Auckland. It is an invitation to explore, lean and connect, through creativity, conversation and contemplation.

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Millions of Mothers

Courage through Action. Using  collective voices as parents and whanau to strongly advocate for all children to have a liveable planet to thrive on.

Collectively be heard, take action and make real change.

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Change One Challenge

Little and Brave nappies seeks to help everyday New Zealanders reduce their waste and live more sustainably by completing the Change One Challenge during the month of July (or anytime at all!

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Ecomailbox

An online community making it easy to find great deals, connecting  with NZ’s favourite makers and retailers... waste-free.

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The ReCreators

Social Enterprise promoting Upcycling either through purchasing products pre-made, custom-made or by learning to do it yourself (DIY) through workshops.  

A diverse and talented group of upcycling artisans promoting creativity, mindful making and sustainability. Various upcycling workshops on offer for children, adults and corporates, as well as an online store. 

All prices incorporate the true cost of labour and materials which includes the Living Wage as a minimum. Includes a shared website for ReCreator artisans to work collaboratively while managing the collective marketing, events and sales. The materials used are either discarded or offcuts that would otherwise be destined for landfill.  They are beautiful and deserve a second chance on this planet. 

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Conservation is part of who I am preview image

"We’ve planted around 65,000 native species, and monitor weta, lizards, birds and water quality."

Wendy
Read Wendy's story
The conscious consumer preview image

"Your belongings gain emotional value when you care about where they come from and how they were made."

Rose
Read Rose's story
Saving power and dollars in winter preview image

"I'm saving around $80 a month on my winter powerbill."

Ruchi
Read Ruchi's story
Growing their own preview image

"Ever since I was little I’ve been aware of the impact of our lifestyle choices for the environment."

Vanessa & Matti
Read Vanessa & Matti's story

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