What is Sustainable Taranaki all about??
Have you heard their name before?
There are many arms to Sustainable Taranaki firstly they are a Not-for-Profit Organisation or as I like to say For Purpose – and today this column will focus on just one of those Nature Clean Ups
What are their key objectives
• Empowering the local community: not only leading cleanups but also supporting local groups and hapū to run their own events
• Discussing and educating about waste issues in Aotearoa New Zealand: including impact of littering, how to reduce waste, recycling...
• Encouraging people and businesses to take ownership of the protection of their local taiao (environment)
• Bringing people together and building connections in the community
• Inviting people to stay active while protecting our environment and giving back to their community
• Exploring different parts of Taranaki
Restoring Our Coastlines: Sustainable Taranaki's Nature and Beach Cleanups
Taranaki's natural beauty is one of its greatest treasures, but maintaining it requires collective effort. Sustainable Taranaki's Nature and Beach Cleanups program exemplifies community-driven environmental stewardship, bringing together volunteers to protect and rejuvenate our local landscapes.
Community Engagement and Environmental Impact
Since its inception, the Nature and Beach Cleanups initiative has mobilized hundreds of volunteers across the region. In 2024 alone, 194 participants collected over 2,175 liters of rubbish, with 48% diverted from landfills through recycling and upcycling efforts. These cleanups not only remove waste but also foster a sense of community and shared responsibility for our environment.
From April 2023 – April 2025 Taranaki Nature Clean Ups involved 566 Volunteers and 891 hours spent collecting 7,465 litres of rubbish - of which there was 47% diverted from landfill and 60.5 kilometers cleaned.
Collaborative Efforts and Local Partnerships
Sustainable Taranaki collaborates with various local organizations and businesses to enhance the effectiveness of their cleanups. Events like the Waitara Beach cleanup have seen support from local artists and zero-waste educators, enriching the experience for volunteers and emphasizing the importance of community involvement in environmental conservation.
How to Get Involved
Residents interested in participating can find upcoming events and volunteer opportunities on Sustainable Taranaki's website. No prior experience is necessary, just a willingness to contribute to the well-being of our natural surroundings. If you have an area that you are passionate about and would like to promote and would like support with (equipment, contacts, communication) to do that then then either check out the Sustainable Taranaki website or contact Volunteering New Plymouth to help with details
Where can you learn more? If you are keen to learn more about Sustainable Taranaki, a Volly Voice session is aired on Access Radio on Sunday at 2pm. This show is also available by going to the either Access Radio Taranaki website, these recordings can be found under Community and scroll down to Volly Voices or to Volunteering New Plymouth website and look under Volunteers and Volly Calls and there will be a link to the podcast
Who can you contact?
If this sounds interesting to you then contact us at Volunteering New Plymouth by emailing Wendy at admin@vnp.nz
If you do not have access to the internet, then contact Wendy by phoning 06 758 8986 or Ph/Text 022 571 4228 for more information.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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73.2% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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15.7% Hmm, maybe?
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11% Yes!
Council Meeting for older adults & people with disabilities
The mayor and a slim majority of the newly elected NPDC councillors are keen to see the, “Age and Accessibility Working Party”, a long-standing Council committee, scrapped.
This is not to save the minimal cost of having such a committee. But simply put; it means these councillors believe that older adults and all those with disabilities in our community do not warrant being recognised, respected or treated as people whose voice is important, to them.
On Thursday 18 December (that is, this coming Thursday) at 10am, in the Council Debating Chamber, the full council will have an opportunity to vote, “to Re-establish an Age and accessibility Working Party”.
But we need your help to get it passed. We need you at the meeting to show your support for this committee. This committee is important for the voice of the older person or people who have accessibility or challenges in our community, to be heard.
We have many in examples of what happens when council fails to listen to people with disabilities, resulting in remedial work costing tens of thousands of dollars.
Let’s support those councillors who do support the reinstatement of this committee.
Please consider joining the myriad of organisations supporting older adults and those with disabilities.
If you cannot come to the Council chambers, email the Mayor and inform him what you think. His email is; max.brough@npdc.govt.org.nz.
I hope that we will see you there.
There is parking for just $1 per hour at the YMCA opposite the Council in Liardet Street.
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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