Do you want to lighten your environmental footprint? Have you been looking for independent information to help you make eco-friendly choices?
Join our NZ-wide 'Sustainable Living Programme' to find practical solutions with like minded people, in a fun and friendly setting.
What: 5 week evening course.
Tutor: Melanie Voyce.
Where: Selwyn College, Kohimarama
Date: 1 March - 29 March (Mondays). Time: 7-9pm.
Cost: $55
Each session includes topic information, practical tips, group activites and discussion. Topics will include a selection of the following: energy, waste, shopping, ecology, organic gardening, water and transport. There is also the option of joining an organised Saturday tour of an organic garden or eco-house.
To register: Phone Selwyn Community Education on 09 521 9623, or register online at: www.selwncomed.school.nz.
For more information about this course you can contact Melanie at mvoyce@gmail.com.
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Auckland welcomes three prestigious international sailing events to the Waitemata Harbour in March 2010 for the three-week Auckland Festival of Sailing.
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The celebration of sailing includes the:
Thanks to Auckland City Council, everyone can get up close to the sailing action on free public spectator boat trips running during the two key weekends of the Auckland Festival of Sailing on 13 and 14 and 20 and 21 March.
This once in a lifetime opportunity is limited to the first 120 people per sailing, with two sailings on each day at 9.30am and 1.30pm.
Registrations for a place onboard Olympic Spirit are first come, first served, and open one hour before each sailing time at the departure location, in front of Kermadec bar and restaurant, Viaduct Harbour.
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The Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust - Experiencing Marine Reserves programme www.emr.org.nz are organizing this Marine Leadership Competition to celebrate Seaweek.
Prizes
- Marine Leadership Weekend - 14 top achievers from the Auckland and Northland region shall be chosen to attend a weekend in Northland (20 & 21st March), including a trip to Whangarei Harbour marine reserve, evening workshops at Tutukaka and a snorkel trip to the Poor Knights (includes
food, accomodation and trasport) - Snorkel Gear - Top quality ‘Wettie’ www.wettie.co.nz Snorkel Gear and other Marine Prizes for top achievers from other regions other than Northland & Auckland
Applications are open to school students from year 8 to year 13, entries to be received
by the end of Seaweek, no later than March 14, 2010. For more information please click here.
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Funded by the Perry Foundation, the popular Nursery Bites programme is FREE and consists of nine mini-workshops held at Kaipatiki Project's Environment Centre in Birkdale. Each week a different plant propagation topic is focussed on, using hands-on learning and group-work in Kaipatiki's nursery and the surrounding Eskdale bush reserve.
Aimed at upskilling volunteers, Nursery Bites can be taken as individual 'bite-size' topics or as a complete series as part of a work-experience or volunteer programme. Go to our website for a full list of topics or search the ecoevents calendar.
Places are limited to 20 people per week so booking is essential by phoning 09 482 1172 or email restoration@kaipatiki.org.nz.
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Introduction to Sustainability is part of the EcoBiz series of seminars. 
Introduction to Sustainability informs businesses of the Environmental Management Programmes availabile which qualify for a council subsidy.
The shift towards sustainability is gathering momentum at a rate that is catching many businesses unaware.Research shows that sustainable practices in business are increasingly expected by your clients and customers. Requests for Proposals are seeking more and more information about what you are doing for the environment, and new regulations are continually imposing greater costs on activities that have environmental impacts.
This seminar will give you the opportunity to sign up to a subsidised environmental programme, and hear how by taking action, you can reduce costs, improve your competitiveness in the market, and enhance your reputation as a responsible business that is in tune with the times.
Date: 11 March 2010
Time: 4 - 7pm
Place: Auckland Town Hall
Registrations are required. Contact s.yates@ecobiz.org.nz for more information or click here to view our brochure.
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Marine Conservation Talks with Speakers: Barbara Breen, Pete Crabb, Steve O'Shea, Liz Slooten and Karen Stockin
What: Short talks followed by discussion over a glass of wine
When: Thursday 11 March, 4-6 pm
Where: Auckland University of Technology, Room WS 114, Engineering and Applied Sciences Building, 34 St Paul Street (Public Carparks at 6 St Paul St and 56 Wakefield St)
A selection of short talks about marine conservation by experts from Massey University, Otago University, Auckland University of Technology and the New Zealand Underwater Association, who between them have decades of experience in research, diving and conservation.
These talks will inspire (and at times infuriate) you, with beautiful photographs and video footage, information about human impacts on the marine environment and on how we can work together to help protect it.
Topics include:
- "Giants of the deep: What we do and don't know"
- "Hector's and Maui's dolphins"
- "Environmental impacts of fishing"
- "Diving in the Sanctuaries of the Sea"
- "How to design a marine reserve, using GIS and other methods"
- "Conservation of common dolphins in New Zealand waters"
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Film screening: The End of the Line - a documentary about the devastating effect of overfishing
Guest speaker: Clive Monds, Marine Campaigner, Environment and Conservation Organisations of New Zealand Inc (ECO)
All proceeds go to: Auckland University Underwater Club ‘Save our Boat’ fund.
When: Thursday 11 March at 7.00pm
Where: Room OGG098, Owen G Glenn Building, University of Auckland
Tickets: $10 adults, $5 children (under 15 years)
Visitors can park on the lower five floors of the Owen G Glenn Building. Access via Grafton Road. Charges apply.
For further information and tickets contact: Ali Perkins, email grants@akunidive.com or mobile 021 066 5760
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Join the first round of PADI Asia Pacific Member Forums for 2010 during Seaweek.
Meet regional manager Ian Cummings for updates and dive management news.
Date: 11 March
Where: Barry Court Conference Centre, Parnell
Time: 7-9pm
Please email clare.white@padi.com.au. for more information.
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- Activity type:
- - Water - Coastal / Stream / River / Beaches
- Region:
- Auckland Region
What: The End of the Line
documentary about the end of fish stocks in our seas
Imagine a world with no fish!!.
This film was acclaimed at the Sundance Festival
Where: Auckland - Rialto Cinema -167-169 Broadway, Newmarket
When:March 12th 6:45 pm
Presented by Documentary Edge Festival & Eco, Forest & Bird, Greenpeace, WWF
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For Tickets and Information: Adults $16.00, Senior Citizen $12.00, Student $14.00
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Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park on a Fullers Discovery Cruise
Fullers Discovery Cruise 1 - North of Auckland
Date: Saturday 13th March
Time: 9am – 5pm
Guest commentary by Mel Galbraithe,
Senior Lecturer Natural Sciences, Unitec Institute of Technology
Cruise via Tiritiri Matangi Island, Motuketekete,
Moturekareka, Motuora and on to Kawau Island for
a guided walk with the Friends of Mansion House,
followed by a cruise around Little Barrier Island.
Click here for information on all Fullers Discovery Cruises
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This is a confirmed date – please contact Anne (480 5570) or Richard (410 5339) to express interest.
Tuff Crater is North Shore Forest and Bird’s key restoration project. We need volunteers to help! Please put your hand up for weed control, spraying (once qualified), plant rearing and fundraising. If you’d like to be on the regular email notification list for Tuff Crater work days, please email northshore.branch@forestandbird.org.nz. Anne is coordinating some Friday mornings. There’s scope to nominate an area you wish to care for and work independently on. Training on weed recognition and weed control can be arranged. Some equipment may also be available.
Normally we meet at the Canon Car park on Warehouse Way. Bring a spade, gloves, hand saw, pruners, grubber, and some morning tea. If we are not there, please walk down the path between Canon and the Warehouse and turn left. In case of dodgy weather please phone Anne 480-5570 or Richard 410 5339
For more information see http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/branches/north-shore
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Auckland welcomes three prestigious international sailing events to the Waitemata Harbour in March 2010 for the three-week Auckland Festival of Sailing.
The celebration of sailing includes the:
Thanks to Auckland City Council, everyone can get up close to the sailing action on free public spectator boat trips running during the two key weekends of the Auckland Festival of Sailing on 13 and 14 and 20 and 21 March.
This once in a lifetime opportunity is limited to the first 120 people per sailing, with two sailings on each day at 9.30am and 1.30pm.
Registrations for a place onboard Olympic Spirit are first come, first served, and open one hour before each sailing time at the departure location, in front of Kermadec bar and restaurant, Viaduct Harbour.
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Discover how you can work with your neighbours to look after local streams and gardens!
Whether working as part of a community project or planning something new, the ‘Nature In My Neighbourhood’ programme is a great way to learn from the experts and develop new hands-on skills.
Saturday 13 March - Looking to the future.
Saturday 20 March - Stepping into the shoes of the environment.
Time: 9.30 am -12.30 pm.
Venue: Rutherford College and site visits.
Cost: Only $10 a session or $15 for two.
To enrol: www.westaucklandcomed.co.nz or phone 834 4099 by Tuesday 9 March 2010.
Click here to view our flier!
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'Bush Walk & Talk' is a series of five 2 hour educational walks aimed at enabling people to identify New Zealand native trees, plants and flowers as part of a comfortable stroll in a small, social group.
Presented by Margi Keys from Discovery Walks, the programme is offered through Kaipatiki Project (www.kaipatiki.org.nz). Each week a different North Shore bush reserve is explored - there is opportunity to stop and identify species as well as discuss the surroundings.
The series costs $50 for five Saturday morning walks. Walks take place rain or shine so bring a raincoat, sturdy shoes/boots as well as water to drink.
Places are limited to 12 people so booking is essential by phoning 09 482 1172 or email admin@kaipatiki.org.nz.
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National Launch event: Free Community Snorkelling Day Leigh Marine Reserve (Goat Island)
Date: Postponed from Saturday 6th March due to weather but now on 13th March
Time: 9.30am - 1pm
10am to 1pm - Free snorkelling sessions running continuously (no bookings taken, just turn up)
9.30am only - Half price trip on the Glass Bottom Boat, need to book ahead - ph 422 6334 or info@glassbottomboat.co.nz
Come and explore the wonders of the Leigh marine reserve with the team from Experiencing Marine Reserves and Department of Conservation. They will be taking small groups out to enjoy the amazing underwater world in this special place.
- Families welcome, all children 15 and under need to be accompanied by an adult.
- Wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins supplied at no charge, bring usual swimming attire, towel, sunblock, underwater camera?
- Register for the snorkelling on site at the DOC tent (NB book ahead for the Glass Bottom Boat trip)
Enquiries: phone Department of Conservation 425 7812
Cancellation: Listen to NewstalkZB on the hour after the news
Check out this Meet the Locals video on the wonderful wildlife found in this marine sanctuary!
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Project Jonah is working with the Auckland Regional Council to once again do a clean-up of Cornwallis Beach, this time as part of Seaweek on Saturday the 13th of March. Seaweek is an annual event run by the NZ Association for Environmental Education that allows New Zealanders to come together and, celebrate the sea. It’s not just for children or those involved with formal education – it’s a time for all of us to get to know our ocean, its habits, characteristics and inhabitants, and to help make a difference.
As an organisation Project Jonah is very protective over the big blue, which is understandable given 
that it’s the stuff that whales, dolphins and seals live in. We naturally get angry when we see and hear of marine pollution and littering, and as you know, marine mammals often mistake floating plastic debris for food or accidentally swallow it.
Unfortunately, marine pollution is wholly a manmade issue. For whatever reason, we’ve allowed rubbish and other pollutant to get into the ocean, directly affecting its health, the health of the animals that live in it, and our own. Each year more than 7 billion tonnes of rubbish makes its way into the sea and that’s pretty dumb. BUT there is something we can do!
Participate in Seaweek or just show your good old fashioned "Keep New Zealand Clean and Green" ethic by joining our Beach Cleanup Crew!
Join us on Saturday the 13th of March to roll up your sleeves and get a bit dirty in a bid to combat marine debris. We'll be meeting at 10am in the main carpark of Cornwallis Beach (the next turnoff after Mill Bay) and after a quick health and safety briefing will split into teams to tackle the beach. Don't forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, snacks, lots of water, any personal medication, and anything else you might need. There are two toilet blocks, and sinks available for washing up afterwards. Depending on weather, how many people turn up, and how much rubbish there is, we hope to be finished by 12 o'clock, after which you're welcome to bring along some food and join us for a BBQ afterwards.
How to get to Cornwallis Beach:
Take the North-Western Motorway to the Great North Road Exit. Follow Great North Road onto Ash Street, which leads onto Rata Street. Take Titirangi Road right through Titirangi Village to the roundabout, take Huia Road and Cornwallis is signposted off it.
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Celebrate Seaweek by joining a community beach clean up at Long Bay!
Date: Saturday 13 March 2010
Meet: at Site 3 Long Bay Regional Park
(it is well signposted)
Time: 10am - 2pm
What? Come and help us clean up the park and beach.
We will record what is collected and then recycle where possible.
Why? What's dropped on the land ends up in the sea.
What else will be there? The Great Drain Game; representatives of the Sir Peter Blake Marine Education Centre(MERC) and of Greenpeace.
We will supply: Cold drinks, sun-block and a lovely setting
You should bring: Gloves, weather-appropriate clothing and a hat; your energy and your desire to clean up the planet!
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LEIGH MARINE RESERVE: EXPLORE THE UNDERWATER WORLD
Sunday 14 March 2010 - Celebrate Sea Week (7-14 March)
Join Forest & Bird/KCC for a visit to local marine reserve. Make your own way to Leigh Marine Reserve Goat Island, and meet for a 1.00 start under the big Pohutukawa tree at the bottom left of the staircase which lead down to the Goat Island beach. We will explore the rocky pools and confident swimmers will be able to snorkel if the weather is good.
Learn about marine reserves. Celebrate that Goat Island was NZ's first marine reserve, and see how successful it has become.
You will need to bring warm clothes, sturdy shoes, flippers and/or sand shoes, togs, towel, mask and snorkel and/or swimming goggles, a hat and sunscreen. And drinks and snacks.
There will be a small charge per person for snorkel hire and guiding. Guides for these are Tony and Jenny Enderby, well-known marine advocates who'e written for F&B magazine about Goat Island M.R.
All welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult please.
Book with Siobhan by email: siobhanlatham@xtra.co.nz and please say whether you are a member or not. If bookings are limited, preference will go to members - at the discretion of the person taking bookings.
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Want healthy food that’s locally grown or produced?
The Auckland Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market is a community-owned and operated produce market that provides fresh, locally grown goods that come from within a 200km radius of the Grey Lynn suburb. With 30-plus stallholders, and growing, there’s plenty of choice to do your weekly shop. From vegetables and fruit, to fish and meat, salad dressing, cheese, olive oils, jams, strawberries and more, there is a story behind every product you buy.
The innovative Ooooby stall means customers can bring their own backyard produce to sell or swap with other home garden suppliers, creating a community-centric market that encourages sustainability and good food. Just bring your produce to the Ooooby stall to participate – even better, bring it pre-bagged in the quantities you want to sell and with your name and price attached.
Membership cost $30 for the year and gives you a 10% discount on your purchases, plus voting rights on how the market is run.
What: Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market
When: Every Sunday but the last of the month
Where: The Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Time: 9am to 1pm
Website: www.glfm.co.nz
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Whangateau Hikoi
Date: Sunday 14th March
Time: 9am – 1pm
Meet: Whangateau Hall, 15 mins north of Warkworth on Leigh Road
Whangateau Harbour Care Society and Forest and Bird Society invite you along for their Seaweek event. Join local experts on a ‘bus Hikoi’ showcasing the history, geography and natural history of the Whangateau Harbour and surrounds. This event is in partnership with the MOKO Trust representing Ngati Manuhiri.
There will be opportunities for short walks to see points of interest so bring beach shoes, water and lunch. Departs Whangateau Hall at 9am, returning around 1pm to the hall.
Spaces limited so book your seats with Margaret at mls@xtra.co.nz or phone evenings 422 9717
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Motion in the Ocean is an upcoming community initiative organised by Western Springs students. The local community will be encouraged to join us on a full circuit creek clean up of Motions and Meola creek, both of which end on either side of Meola Reef.
Meet: We will all meet in the Western Springs College carpark.
Time: 10am - 2pm
Bring: Participants will bring rubbish bags from home, and we will have spares and be providing gloves.
Details: They will be briefed on safety issues of the cleanup as we get a free tram ride, curtesy of MOTAT to MOTAT 1, where Motions creek starts. From there to the end of the circuit, everyone will be picking up rubbish as we go. Participants will have a brief talk there on the history of the pumphouse at MOTAT 1, and will then walk through to Western Springs, and have another talk from 'fish and game' who manage fresh water and water bird issues, or from DoC on grass carp water weed management. From there we will walk through the zoo and look at their use of the creek including raising koi carp for feeding alligators. From there we will go through Jagger's Bush track and have Wai Care Auckland Regional Council to talk about stream side planting and then go onto the eastern side of Meola reef to talk about the Waitemata Harbour and rubbish, pollution and sewage. We will then move around to the western side of the reef where Meola Creek ends, where we will have a government representative to talk to us about why the creek is so polluted and what Auckland City is doing about it. Finally we will follow Meola Creek up past the back of MOTAT 2 to Western Springs College where there will be a waste audit and shared lunch-please make a contribution, bring along some home cooking!
This is a great family event, and its free. The main message is that the creek is not in all of these places, all of these places are in the creek. Such as, the creek does not run through the zoo, the zoo is built around the creek. We want to lift peoples ideas about fresh water conservation and it's effect on marine conservation.
Please contact Phoebe Balle phoebeballe@hotmail.com for further details.
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About Johann Bernhardt: Johann Bernhardt is the director of Bernhardt Architecture Ltd, which have designed sustainable houses around NZ for many years. Their New Zealand projects have featured on TV (i.e. ‘My House, my Castle’ in NZ, ‘The World’s Greenest Homes’ in Canada and the US) and in many magazines. Johann also manages the Auckland office of the Building Biology and Ecology Institute (BBE). The BBE researches, collects and disseminates information on ecological building and healthy living. Johann is the editor of the recently published book ‘A deeper shade of Green’ – the first and only comprehensive book on sustainable urban development, building and architecture in New Zealand. www.bernhardtarchitecture.co.nz and www.ecoprojects.co.nz (BBE)
What to expect: Johann will talk about the state of NZ houses and their influence on our wellbeing. Starting by looking at pollutants in our homes and how to eliminate/reduce them is the first step to improve indoor air quality. Further improvements can be made through renovations and alterations. Johann will show in what ways the use of building materials, energy efficiency measures, water conservation and the minimization of waste can improve both the environment in general and our wellbeing. In this workshop you will learn to look at your house in a new way. You will be able to identify potential causes of health problems and the kind of measures that would be appropriate to deal with them. You will also learn to see the value in ‘beneficial’ investments in the house, i.e. those that improve living quality and save you money in the long run, not to mention their environmental benefits.
Duration: 2-2.30 hours Please specify morning or afternoon workshop
Workshop 1: 10.30 am
Workshop 2: 2.00 pm
Location: Mt Eden Village
Contribution: $40.00 Numbers are limited to 10 per workshop.
Please rsvp to Judith Holtebrinck, E: mountedenvillagepeople@gmail.com
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Forest and Bird (Mid North Branch) in association with Matakana Cinemas presents the world’s first major documentary about the devastating effect of overfishing, premiered at Sundance Film Festival.
Imagine an ocean without fish.
Imagine your meals without seafood.
Imagine the global consequences.
This is the future if we do not stop, think and act.
Film “End of the Line”.
Sunday 14th March, 8pm
Matakana Theatre
One show only at the Paradiso Theatre at Matakana. Door sales only. $10.00.
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Volunteer to help with pest control programmes, general maintenance and other projects around the Mahurangi Regional Park.
Tasks and projects will change depending on volunteer numbers, skills and weather.
This is a new volunteer day, so be one of the first to be part of the committees involved in the running of Mahurangi Regional Park.
Where do I go? Meet at workshop/park office at Sullivans Bay.
What shall I bring? Good footwear and weather appropriate clothing.
What's in it for me? Coffee, tea, cold drink and biscuits. Training and equipment provided.
Do I need to book? No. A low-level of fitness is required. Volunteers can volunteer further time by arranging on the Tuesday the days and times for other opportunities.
Contact: Sue Hill Phone 09-426 1200 or e-mail sue.hill@arc.govt.nz
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A small group of keen native forest restoration workers meet each week in Centennial Park. In season we plant lots of native plants, and the rest of the year is spent mainly on weed control, with occasional track maintenance and other tasks. It is good exercise and good fun. We usually break for a coffee at 10.30 to recharge and work til midday ish. Over time a small number of dedicated people can make a big difference. For where to meet or to be on our email notification list please email bushsoc@gmail.com
For more information see www.centennialparkbushsociety.org.nz
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