Use the map and join the movement
Strong community connection leads to effective climate action.
By recognising climate risks and working together to address them, we can create a city that is prepared, resilient, and thriving.
Use the interactive map to find volunteer, advocacy, and community groups near you.
These groups are as varied as the mahi, and span many industries and sectors.
You can also add your own group and open the door for others to join you.
Some grassroots groups don’t have a formal address, explore
the list below to read about their work.
AoCAN is the Aotearoa New Zealand node of Climate Action Network - a global network active across more than 130 countries driving collective action on the climate crisis, and to achieve social and racial justice. They connect organisations who share their vision of a safe, just climate future and provide a space for collaboration, communication and cooperation within the NZ climate movement.
To get in touch, please contact: newzealandcan@gmail.com
A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand seek to inspire, educate, and enable communities to care for our unique environment through a network of local conservation group projects and volunteer opportunities. They are also involved in resourcing, empowering and building relationships among all those wanting to integrate creation care and sustainability into the life of the church in Aotearoa through their Eco Church NZ project. The Wellington local group started in 2012. It is structured as three subgroups – the Kāpiti subgroup, the Waiu Wetland subgroup in Wainuiomata, and the Wellington City subgroup supporting the work of Friends of Owhiro Stream. The subgroups organise joint educational events and working bees at key sites such as Battle Hill Farm Forest Park and Kopua Monastery - subscribe, volunteer or find other ways to get involved on their website.
School students aged 8-18 are united by their concern about the impact of climate change on their futures. They strike from school to demonstrate the vulnerability of young people to politicians.
Earthworms Club is for Massey University students who are earth lovers, earth eaters, earth wanderers, and earth worms. Their aim is to make sustainability more accessible at Massey and provide opportunities for students to connect with nature.
For more information, see: Earthworms Club or contact earthworms.compost@gmail.com
Enviroschools is a nationwide programme of early childhood centres and schools committed to a long-term sustainability journey, where tamariki connect with and explore the environment, then plan, design and take action in their local places in collaboration with their communities. There are 143 enviroschools in the Wellington region, making up 16% of early childhood, 44% of primary and 13% of secondary schools in the region - see their website to view and/or to inquire about your school getting involved.
Fridays for Future is an international youth-led and organised global strike movement started by 15-year-old Greta Thunberg. The Fridays for Future Te Upoko o Te Ika group protest at Parliament Lawn and Midland Park on alternate Fridays between 12:30-1:30.
Garden to Table's kaupapa is to empower tamariki to grow, harvest, prepare, and share great food by enabling schools to deliver, embed and sustain impactful food education. Through their curriculum-linked food education programme, they take learning out of the classroom and empower kiwi kids to grow and cook their own fresh, seasonal and environmentally-sustainable kai. To get involved at your local Garden to Table school, submit a volunteer form on their website.
| Love Food Hate Waste is a campaign to reduce the amount of food going to waste (and the vast financial and environmental costs associated with it). They have extensive information about the causes of food waste, tips to reduce your waste, storage solutions etc. on their website, and a newsletter. For more information contact info@lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz |
Mountains to Sea Wellington deliver freshwater and marine education programmes and lead restoration projects. Visit their website to sign up as a participant or as a volunteer - they have on-land opportunities to help with school programmes and events, or water-based positions as snorkelling guides and freshwater stream monitoring.
Through empowering parents to use their collective voice, Parents for Climate aims to push for systemic change and a just transition. They provide education and "Let's Talk Climate" Workshops to normalise talking about climate change, the barriers, the solutions and everything in between. They have volunteering, partnership and donation opportunities accessible through their website.
A 350 Aotearoa-based group, the Pacific Climate Warriors are a youth-led grassroots network working with organisers across 18 Pacific Island nations and diaspora communities to highlight disproportionate climate vulnerabilities. E-mail or contact them on Facebook to find out more and learn how to join.
| RE:mobile is NZ's only mobile phone recycling scheme which is accredited by the Ministrty for the Environment. They are a not for profit managed by the NZ Telecommunications Forum. Their aim is to reduce the environmental impact of unwanted mobile phones in NZ and enable collective industry wide solutions. They will recycle your mobile phone regrdless of whether it is in perfect working order or doesn't turn on. For every phone recycled with RE:mMOBILE, money is donated to Sustainable Coastlines. For more information contact: remobile@tcf.org.nz You can also access phone drop off locations by clicking this link |
Voice of Aroha are a group of former refugees and members of local communities who came together to establish a radio show which provides a platform for the diverse communities in Wellington.
They aim to empower collective contribution by learning from each other about the issues affecting our communities. They also share information about events happening around Wellington and across Aotearoa.
In 2023 they launched a project to increase climate awareness for refugee and migrant communities in Wellington. Through content creation, community events, workshops, and kōrero, Voice of Aroha aims to amplify the voices, stories, and knowledge of refugee communities and migrants to build capacity for their leadership and solutions towards reducing emissions by 2030.
For more information contact voiceofaroha@gmail.com
| Women in Urbanism advocate for women's issues by actively participating in urban area reform, envisioning urban design and planning that incorporates women's needs and climate outcomes. You can become a member, watch a speaker, or attend a community building event by browsing their website. For more information, please contact: womeninurbanismnz@gmail.com |
350 Pōneke is the Wellington arm of 350 Aotearoa, part of of the international climate movement 350.org, an activist group focused on anti-fossil fuel campaigns and climate justice. There is a active Pōneke group who meet weekly - details on how to join can be found on their website, in addition to online trainings.
