Te Ao Earth Week
Our most recent Te Ao Earth Week was on 18th – 24th of September 2023 across Greater Ōtautahi Christchurch. It focussed on connecting + taking action!
Highlights of TAEW 2023
Te Ao Earth Week is the inspiring and practical intervention everyone needs, in the city that is driving a regenerative approach across sectors + industries. With extraordinary leaders in environmental action and national and international industry experts weighing in at the GŌ Waitaha Business Conference, students leading action in ingenious ways, and opportunities for everyone to connect with nature, this was the week to embrace our Earth!
The event was brought about by the Terra Nova Foundation in partnership with ChristchurchNZ and was possible thanks to our sponsors + supporters: Seed the Change | He Kākano Hāpai, Craigs Investment Partners, Ollo Design, RAD Sustainable Events, Christchurch Foundation, Nutrient Rescue, Omnigraphics, OrbViz, PubCharity, SpicyBoys, Wine Divine, Lighter, Scratch Digital and Bennetto.
And almost 2,000 hours of volunteer time from our amazing volunteers! See below for some of the events and activities during the week.
🌿 GŌ Waitaha Business Leaders Event
This was a full capacity event with business leaders enjoying an incredible line-up of speakers at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. Martin Cudd, Dr Rod Carr, Rose Challies, Shamubeel Eaqub, Dr Anake Goodall, James Laughlin, Jerome Partington, Dr Cheryl Doig, Ben Scales, Karim Sabet, Hannah Hardy-Jones, Kate Radcliffe-Reid and Millie Taylor all spoke on the critical issues of our time and how we can take action.
Video footage of all of the speakers will be available in the near future. Sign up to our newsletter to get first access to these.
🌿 Student Day 22nd Sept
The Te Ao Earth Week Student Day was embraced by five high schools and the University of Canterbury with action including restoration with over 600 native plants and trees planted on multiple sites, design challenges, environmental clean-ups and a bike rally to celebrate World Car-free Day. Participating schools included Villa Maria College, Rudolf Steiner School, Te Pā Rākaihautū, Papanui High School and Hillmorton High School.
🌿 Nature Weekend
🌿 Climate Action Campus Eco Markets
A celebration of Spring, markets, eco workshops, projects and more were on offer at the Climate Action Campus on Te Ao Earth Week’s Nature Weekend. An amazing collective of actions and activities for everyone, it was a wonderful day with all that Spring could offer!
🌿 Early Morning Ocean Swim
This took place at Sumner Beach on a balmy but somewhat cool morning and just after daylight saving kicked in – so it was even earlier in reality!
🌿 Qi Gong in the Park
Qi Gong in the Park was held at Hansen’s Park in Opawa to get out in nature and improve wellbeing through this ancient practice.
🌿 Find Your Inner Eco Warrior Meet-up
At the new and exciting community-run event centre 231 High St, Ōtautahi Christchurch this event was for people interested in getting involved in climate action or finding the best way to make a positive earth impact. Environmental champion Rose Challies spoke about the characteristics of an Eco Warrior and the types of action that makes real change.
🌿 Sustainability Drop-In Session
Mr. G held a Sustainability drop-in session organisations looking to start and improve their sustainability journey. G took people through a journey-mapping methodology to uncover micro, meso and macro decisions across their value-chain.
🌿 Leading Regenerative Talk + Course
Jerome Partington is an international expert and driving force on regenerative practice and spoke at the NZ Institute of Architects event in Ōtautahi Christchurch on regenerative approaches to design, architecture, construction and engineering and offered a course at the Ara Institute.
🌿 Christchurch Envirokids ‘Soil: Where Our Food Comes From’
Roger McLenaghen, a soil scientist from Lincoln University shared his knowledge on soil in fun & interactive ways for children at the Kiosk in the City Botanic Gardens.
🌿 World Rivers Day
Unfortunately some rather wet Spring weather stopped the World Rivers Day event from happening – this incredible collective community event will just have to wait til next year!
🌿 Trails across the Peninsula
We encouraged people to take to the trails across Banks Peninsula supported by the Rod Donald Trust. Amazing views of Ōtautahi Christchurch and connecting up with nature was had despite the chilly climes!
