New Zealanders are taking up the sustainability challenge. It’s the smart thing to do. Actions like switching off the lights when leaving a room, walking to work, and installing insulation save money, improve fitness and protect our beautiful environment. 1024 Kiwis have committed to make a difference by taking 56,696 sustainability steps in their ‘Next Step’ Plans.
Living sustainably means living smarter. This site will help you reduce your impact on the environment and save money, without compromising your lifestyle. You'll find useful tips on how best to use energy and water, and what to do with your rubbish.
The site provides advice, links, a discussion forum and competitions on the key elements of living sustainably: rubbish, water, energy, building, transport and climate change.
Take action!
Some local councils around New Zealand run programmes for their communities on sustainable living. The main programmes being:
- Auckland Regional Council’s the ‘Big Clean Up’ programme
- Hamilton City Council’s ‘Know It? … Live It! programme
- Greater Wellington’s ‘Be the Difference’ programme
- Environment Canterbury’s ‘Clean Heat’’ programme
The Sustainable Living Programme, run by Marlborough District Council on behalf of 22 councils around New Zealand is delivered by councils and community organisations. It offers seminars and night classes on topics such as energy, transport and water use, rubbish, and environmental shopping. Visit the website to find out about classes near you!
Environment Centres
Environment Centres are located in most New Zealand towns. Your local Environment Centre is a great source of local information and contacts on what’s happening in your community and how you can get involved.
Most Environment Centres are listed on the Ministry for the Environment website or look in your yellow pages for your nearest centre.
Hear what others think!
Watch our videos of people sharing their views and ideas on various aspects of sustainable living.
- Watch: Chris Teo-Sherrell from Palmerson North talk about his views on the waste.
- Watch: Graham McBride from Waikato talk about his eco-home
- Watch: Angela Hair from the Hawkes Bay tells us about her ideas for mimicking nature in terms of water use in the home
- Watch: Suzanne Takiwa talk about Taupo District Council’s biking initiative
- Watch: Anne Lister talk about what the Gisborne District Council is doing to their reduce energy use and their upcoming "All Black Day"
- Watch: Yolande Cumming from Raglan discuss a great car pool idea with her friend
- Watch: Odile Balas from the Hawkes Bay tell us about her ideas for communal community living
- Watch: Hawkes Bay school boy Tom Logan talk about transport ideas coming out of the forum
- Watch: Antonio Te Maioha talk about recycling and waste in Raglan
- Watch: Ernie Pitchfork talk about the joys of gardening in Auckland
