**Campaign raises awareness about bullying prevention by encouraging safety, inclusion and respect**

The Mental Health Foundation encourages all New Zealanders to wear pink on Pink Shirt Day Aotearoa – this Friday, 18 May 2012.

Pink Shirt Day is an annual day of action which aims to reduce bullying by celebrating diversity and promoting positive social relationships. This year, the Mental Health Foundation is leading Pink Shirt Day and working with several partner organisations, including Rainbow Youth, Youthline and Diversity Works, to ensure a campaign that addresses the needs of all New Zealanders.

Research has found that punishing perpetrators of bullying after the fact does not decrease the rate of bullying. What has been found to make a difference is making everyone feel socially included.  The Foundation hopes that people across the country will take a simple action —wearing a pink shirt and telling people why — to make a statement about preventing bullying in New Zealand. The Foundation also hopes people will start conversations about how we can all work together to reduce bullying in communities, schools and organisations.

“We want a New Zealand where everyone feels safe, respected and included,” says Chief Executive Judi Clements, “We encourage everyone to wear a pink shirt this Friday as a celebration of our commitment to change. When we join together to wear our pink shirts, we will be making a statement about creating the foundations of a respectful and inclusive society.

More information about Pink Shirt Day, including resources and promotional material, can be found on the Pink Shirt Day website: http://www.pinkshirtday.org.nz

The Pink Shirt Day video can be viewed on the Mental Health Foundation youTube page: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th4xwYLLKTI

Mental Health Foundation’s recent paper Bullying Prevention and Mental Wellbeing can be downloaded: http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/file/Pink-Shirt-Day-2012/PDFs/bullyingpreventionandwellbeing.pdf

For more information, contact:
Erin Fae
Pink Shirt Day Project Lead
Mental Health Foundation
Phone: 09 300 7010
Email: erin@mentalhealth.org.nz

The Mental Health Foundation is proud to lead the efforts on Pink Shirt Day, a national campaign aimed to raise awareness around how to prevent bullying. An annual day of action celebrated in New Zealand and internationally, Pink Shirt Day Aotearoa falls on May 18th, 2012. The Foundation hopes that people across the country will wear pink shirts and start conversations about the power each person has to reduce bullying in communities, schools and organisations. We have been celebrating Pink Shirt Day in New Zealand since 2009, and the Mental Health Foundation’s involvement began last year. We’re working with several partner organisations, including Rainbow Youth and Diversity Works, to ensure a campaign that addresses the needs of all New Zealanders.

Weatherman and NZ’s Got Talent host Tamati Coffey recommends that people “Wear a Pink Shirt as a mark of strength and unity.” Along with Coffey, personalities Levi ‘Nek Minnit’ Hawken, Roseanne Liang, Witi Ashby and Hayley Holt worked with Mental Health Foundation staff and Borderless Productions to create a video in honour of Pink Shirt Day. The video features individual stories and frank discussion about bullying. “I believe we all have the power to change, a power to ask for help and also a power to intervene,” says ex-gang member, Witi Ashby.

The Mental Health Foundation hopes to provide tools like the new video and paper, and events such as Pink Shirt Day to help create a New Zealand where all people feel safe, valued and included. “We all can take responsibility to prevent bullying and promote respectful relationships,” says Chief Executive Judi Clements. “Pink Shirt Day is celebrated on only one day per year. We recognise that the work needed to prevent bulling must continue throughout the year to make a real difference.
—————–
The Pink Shirt Day video can be viewed on the Mental Health Foundation youTube page: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th4xwYLLKTI
Mental Health Foundation’s recent paper Bullying Prevention and Mental Wellbeing can be downloaded: http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/file/Pink-Shirt-Day-2012/PDFs/bullyingpreventionandwellbeing.pdf
More information about Pink Shirt Day, including resources and promotional material, can be found on the Pink Shirt Day website: http://www.pinkshirtday.org.nz

In ten days, New Zealand’s newest and most ambitious cycle race will make its way from two ends of the country – Cape Reinga and Bluff – meeting in the middle for a grand finale in Wellington. But the inaugural Tour of New Zealand is more than just a race.

As an official charity of the Tour, the Hikurangi Foundation is harnessing pedal power to not only ride both islands, but to help make a lasting impact on how we get from a to b in New Zealand.

Featuring 24 riders including business journalist Rod Oram, Cycle Advocates Network’s Patrick Morgan, All Good Bananas co-Founder Matthew Morrison and adventurer Sarah Wilson, Team Hikurangi is riding to raise funds to help make transport in New Zealand “smarter”.
Money raised will be used for a new Smarter Transport Challenge, which will find and support an inspiring cycling or low-carbon transport project. A call for ideas will be made later in the year.

The Hikurangi Foundation, New Zealand’s incubator for low-carbon social innovation, supports work across transport, energy, land use, enterprise and sustainable living. It currently supports smarter transport projects including the campaign for a cycle and pedestrian pathway over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and New Zealand’s first taxi-bus public transport service.

“Smarter transport to us means kids can ride their bikes safely to school, everyone from cities to small towns has an affordable, safe and efficient transport option, health problems are reduced, overall we save money, and at the same time we take care of the environment and reduce climate change risks.” says Hikurangi Foundation Executive Director Alex Hannant. “We continue to see the potential of community leaders to help make this a reality, if their ideas are supported.”

In the Tour of New Zealand, 14-21 April, teams cycle either the North Island (638 km Cape Reinga to Wellington) or the South Island (687km Bluff to Picton), converging in Wellington for a final race around the Beehive on 21 April.  Full route details are available from www.tourofnewzealand.co.nz.

You can support Team Hikurangi by donating to the Challenge fund at www.tourofnewzealand.co.nz/rb.php?team=146.

The team is also being supported by Tineli bikewear from Nelson, the Fairground Foundation (Ecostore), and All Good Bananas.

About The Hikurangi Foundation

The Hikurangi Foundation is a nationwide charity, working towards a sustainable, thriving, equitable and resilient New Zealand.  Founded in 2008, it has supported projects from New Zealand’s first community-owned wind turbines in Waitati, Otago to the highest energy star rated house in Golden Bay.

For more information contact Hikurangi Executive Director, Alex Hannant  +64 (0)4 974 5147, 022 0872 604, alex@hikurangi.org.nz.

Or Programme Manager, Ashlee Gross +64 (0)4 974 5147,  0272626121, ashlee@hikurangi.org.nz.

NZ gets ready to celebrate Earth Hour 2012 – WWF

New Zealand will be one of the first countries to celebrate Earth Hour this year, as the ‘lights out for the planet’ environmental movement sweeps westward around the globe.

8.30pm – 9.30pm on Saturday 31 March

National event

Tauranga will be leading the New Zealand celebrations, in recognition of the local community’s efforts to protect their precious beaches and coastal environment in the wake of the Rena oil spill disaster six months ago.

WWF is proud to be partnering with Tauranga City Council to stage a family-friendly event.  A night market with local sustainably produced crafts and food, and an acoustic concert to watch by candlelight will be taking place at Sulphur Point.

Other events around NZ

Earth Hour is a community-led movement, and many councils and community groups are expected to take part. There is a wide variety of events planned, including:

• Geraldine community are hosting a 5x5x5 sustainability-themed film festival
• Sky Tower is switching off the lights above Auckland for Earth Hour.
• Parliament buildings will be plunged into darkness for the hour, along with a host of Wellington City Council buildings around Civic Square.
• Selwyn Council is hosting a Future of Food debate at Lincoln University, chaired by broadcaster Kim Hill.
• Hamilton will be turning off lights in Council buildings throughout the CBD. The Mayor will be launching an e-waste recycling depot in Frankton, and kowhai tree seedlings will be given out.
• The Heritage Hotel in Auckland is hosting a candle-lit Earth Hour dining experience, donating a portion of the proceeds to WWF’s conservation work

Global reach

Global icons around the world are switching off their lights for Earth Hour, including Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Rio De Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue.

Famous people from across the globe are also speaking out to encourage participation and support for Earth Hour.

Environmental activist and former US vice-president Al Gore is urging people everywhere to switch off their lights on 31 March in a video message recorded from Antarctica. Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr is an Earth Hour ambassador encouraging her fans to make sustainable living pledges to go beyond the hour.

Earth Hour has grown from a one-city initiative in 2007, to a 5,251 city strong global movement, last year reaching 1.8 billion people in 135 countries across all seven continents.

Follow the Earth Hour stories from all corners of the globe

As an open sourced campaign, Earth Hour uses social media to connect a global community of people inspired to change the world we live in.

Facebook – facebook.com/earthhour

Twitter – twitter.com/earthhour

You Tube – www.youtube.com/earthhour

Flickr – http://www.flickr.com/photos/earthhour_global/sets/

For more information, please contact:

Rosa Argent, WWF Communications Manager, tel: 04 471 4292 / 027 212 3103

Michelle Elborn, Sustainability Advisor Tauranga City Council, tel:07 577 7363

www.regeneration.org.nz

Why do we use markets to define human value? What are the alternative ways to value time, energy, creative contribution and original ideas? A free talk entitled Being Productive this Wednesday lunchtime as part of the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts discusses these questions. Artist Mark Harvey, whose performance work on Monday Productive Bodies, has seen the unemployed and those with experience of redundancy trying to be of service around the city, is joined by leading academic and former MP Marilyn Waring and economist Susan Guthrie of The Morgan Foundation.

“There continues to be the assumption,” Marilyn Waring has written, “that the only way in which work can be visible or valuable is if you treat it as if it were a market commodity or a market service and you attribute a value to it.”

Over many years Waring has questioned the economic model by which we value human productivity and our environment. Susan Guthrie meanwhile is well-known for her writing with Gareth Morgan about how wealth disparity is threatening the social fabric and how comprehensive tax reform is required to deal with this. Chaired by co-director of Letting Space Sophie Jerram the talk will also consider what role an artwork like Harvey’s Productive Bodies plays in exploring some of these issues.

In Mark Harvey’s Productive Bodies, a group of people with experience of redundancy and unemployment are brought together as a community to explore and perform ideas of usefulness and productivity. For more information about the work go to www.lettingspace.org.nz/productive-bodies

Marilyn Waring: feminist activist and political economist:
Marilyn’s work, Counting for Nothing/ If Women Counted is an international economics classic. She has been a Director of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and is Professor of Public Policy at AUT University in Auckland.
During her nine-year career in politics, Professor Waring never shied from confrontation. She become National MP for Raglan in 1975 at the age of 22, but was soon at odds with Prime Minister Rob Muldoon. When she crossed the floor to support a Labour bill to ban nuclear-armed ships in 1984, Sir Robert called a snap selection, which he lost.

Susan Guthrie, economist:
Prior to joining the Morgan Foundation in August 2010, Susan was the economist and finance writer for Consumer NZ, reporting on business practices which hurt consumers and investors. This followed an earlier career as a senior economist in the New Zealand, and Hong Kong finance industries. Susan has also held positions at NZ Treasury and the Reserve Bank of NZ.

Mark Harvey, performer:
Mark is a lecturer in Creative Arts and Industries at The University of Auckland and like most artists has been on the unemployment benefit for periods of his life.    Harvey’s performance practices are conceptually driven and test out notions of endurance with constructions of idiocy, seriousness and deadpan humour, and draw from his visual arts and contemporary dance training.

For more information contact Letting Space: Sophie Jerram 0299349749 or Mark Amery 0273566128. Email: sophiejerramandmarkamery@gmail.com

Monday, 27 February 2012, 1:12 pm

Race Unity Day Sunday 11 March 2012
This year Race Unity Day will be the biggest celebration ever of our multicultural community, according to Evey McAuliffe from the Nelson Multicultural Council.

“Extra funding from the Nelson City Council has enabled us to step the event up a notch and we are bringing in performers of national significance – the Qiao Yi Lion Dance Troupe from Christchurch,” says Evey. “There’s a growing Chinese community in Nelson and it’s nice to be able to celebrate and acknowledge their culture alongside all the others.”

Now in it’s twelfth year the Nelson Multicultural Council Race Unity Day is a day of celebration of our region’s cultural diversity with music, dance, art and interactive activities from many ethnic groups that call Nelson home.

Among the cultures represented at Race Unity Day are Maori, Latino, Irish, French, Indonesian, Easter Island, Nepali Bhutanese, Tahiti and four cultures from Burma (Burmese, Chin, Zomi and Kayan).

Evey says this year the interactive area has been developed to provide opportunities for people to have a hands on experience of something from another culture such as Indianhenna hand painting, Japanese origami, Maori traditional games and Tai Chi.

“The day is not only about celebrating our respective cultural heritage, it’s an opportunity for people to engage and talk with others.”

She suggests people come hungry to the event as there’s also a vast array of ethnic foods on offer.

Race Unity Day 2012 will be held at Victory Square, 11am – 4pm, on Sunday 11th March 2012. Goldcoin donation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women’s Futures Month to inspire more women to lead New Zealand

29/2/2012

New Zealand was the first nation in the world to give women the vote, yet women now make up less than a quarter of party leaders in parliament, less than 15% of major newspaper editors, less than 10% of Royal Society fellows and less than 10% of CEOs in the top 100 publicly listed companies. From Christchurch, the birthplace of the suffrage movement in New Zealand, Zo Zhou and Erin Helliwell started Women’s Futures Month for March 2012 to address the stalled progress in getting women to the top.

Women’s Futures Month was inspired by this year’s International Women’s Day theme ‘connecting girls, inspiring futures.’ Amongst the many Women’s Day events happening worldwide, the campaign features a series of discussions, film screenings and gatherings, dedicated to addressing the factors limiting women’s leadership potential. It follows in the footsteps of Sundance film-turned-social-movement Miss Representation, which has gone global to tackle the limiting media representations of women and girls. While Women’s Futures Month events are Christchurch based, Zo and Erin hope to generate widespread discussion on their Facebook page. The first panel discussion on Wednesday features women in science and engineering.

Despite on average receiving more education and working harder, research shows a consistent decline in the proportion of New Zealand women climbing the leadership ladder. This is despite studies showing there are huge business benefits from more representative senior management boards. According to both domestic and international research, the often subconscious misperception that women do not make good leaders are widely held by both women and men, though unsubstantiated according to the data. World renowned Psychology of Gender expert from North Western University Dr Alice Eagly notes that “the dearth of women in high positions does not have a single, simple cause. Rather, women encounter a labyrinth—that is, they navigate complex, often indirect, and discontinuous paths toward leadership. Understanding these challenges is the key to overcoming them and eventually removing the obstacles that have made women rare in powerful roles.”

Key women’s events during March:

Women’s Futures Month

International Women’s Day NZ events

Walk for Women 2012

Get involved:

Tweet links to pictures, videos or profiles of leading New Zealand women, with @womensfutures and #likealeadinglady

Join the conversation at the Women’s Futures Month Facebook page

Popular TV star and sustainable lifestyle enthusiast Te Radar is coming to Kapiti for this year’s Sustainable Home & Garden Show.

The Kapiti Coast District Council event is being held on March 24-25 at the usual venue, Kapiti Primary School in Rimu Road, Paraparaumu.

Mayor Jenny Rowan says she’s delighted Te Radar has agreed to come.

“We couldn’t have secured a better ambassador. Te Radar has done so much to promote and encourage sustainability as a popular movement.”

The Auckland celebrity says he’s really looking forward to coming to Kapiti.

“The theme of this year’s show is ‘building sustainable communities’, which is something I am very passionate about. In fact the central theme of Off the Radar, Radars Patch, and Global Radar isn’t so much about sustainability, as community.

“A sustainable community embraces green values in everything from rubbish collection and recycling, to public facilities, community support networks, craft groups and libraries. I’ve heard the Kapiti Coast District Council is a leader in sustainability initiatives so I am really excited about being involved in this event.”

Event Coordinator, Di Traynor, says Te Radar will be on-site both days and will be mucking in with all sorts of activities including workshop talks, a Te Radar look-alike competition for kids and as guest judge for the best garden and vendor displays. Other popular events are part of the programme again this year.

“We will have the ever popular ‘No. 8 Wire’ workshops that will deliver practical and inspiring talks; there will be several local schools with display gardens, local healthy food, music and a programme for kids.”

Forty exhibitors have already registered for the show which has attracted up to 7,000 visitors since it was first held in 2006.

If you are interested in being involved in this year’s Sustainable Home and Garden Show,  call Di Traynor on 021 1515490.

The Green Living Show is back – New Zealand’s only green show is bigger and better than ever.

This free event has lots of variety with a fantastic opportunity for the fashion and eco-conscious to come along to the exciting addition of  the event with the first ever eco fashion show.

There will also be a great line-up of natural and organic beauty products already available to test and buy as well as preview new products at the show which will be held at Alexander Park in May.

Event organiser, Tina Raines said the show is a great platform for consumers, trade, industry and organisations to come together under the sustainability and environmental umbrella.

“As well as the show-case of beauty products we will also have demonstrations on how these great products work and the opportunity to buy them.”

“For people who are really passionate or even remotely interested in eco-friendly and organic products, services or ideas and don’t know where to start, this is the show them, “ said Ms Raines.

“We have a great addition to our show this year; it is an expert advice centre where people can bring along their new house or renovation plans and talk to advisors about the best eco-friendly and sustainable solutions for their project.

“This is the show’s second year and we are continuing to build on our success from last year with exciting new events including the fashion show, a youth forum and a Green Drinks event where people can meet and network together.”

International Self-Esteem expert to speak in Auckland

Half of women around the world see family relationships as having the greatest impact on their self-esteem and 66% think they’re expected to be more physically attractive than their mother’s generation.*

International self-esteem expert, Dr Christina Berton, will be in Auckland in February and speaking about her work helping thousands of Mexican mothers and daughters understand the importance of a healthy self-esteem.

“The impact of media and society on women’s self image is controversial.

“But we can move beyond blaming the fashion industry, Hollywood and others by getting our own perspective right – and making sure our daughters, sisters, mothers and friends do the same,” says Christina.

The Amara Pro Self Esteem Foundation, Christina co-founded in 2008 has worked with tens of thousands of Mexican families. The most recent initiative in partnership with retail outlet Walmart has seen the design of workshops, e- learning courses and workshops to empower female employees.

Her work inspired Auckland woman Penny Stevens who established The Liberty of Being Me Foundation which offers Mother & Daughter workshops based on the successful Amara model.

“Mums and daughters have a special bond which can be vital in preparing young women for what lies ahead,” says Liberty of Being Me Foundation president, Penny Stevens.

“Good self-esteem helps us deal with life’s challenges. Creating awareness about it is a proactive and preventative approach to a range of issues faced by girls and young women today,” she says

Christina Berton will be speaking at an event hosted by The Liberty of Being Me Foundation.

WHEN: WHERE: TICKETS: BOOKINGS:

6.30pm, Tuesday 21st February St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby $10 per person (includes light refreshments) thelibertyofbeingme@gmail.com or (09) 5759996

For more information, go to www.libertyofbeingme.com or contact Alison Sykora on 021 901 446 or alisonsykora@me.com

*Dove Real Truth About Beauty Study

A safe, powerful, transformative, educational, and moving experience for 13-16 year old girls Our programs are nature-based and community led and are run from the Tui Events Park on the edge of the Abel Tasman.

 5 days including outdoor adventure, creative arts, performance, games, evening fire circles and ritual. A place where young women can recognise how their strengths and attributes contribite to the wellbeing of their community as well as their own future.

The next event is happening April 9th-13th Registrations are open until March 30th. Enrol now as spaces fill up fast and are limited to 9 new girls. (We encourage mothers to attend too). For more details please see the attached information, visit www.tides.net.nz or contact: gabby@tides.net.nz

Evolve, Festival of Opportunities

Iconic Nelson festival gets a new look for 21st birthday

An iconic Nelson festival has a new name and launched a new website – in time for its 21st birthday.

The event formerly called Festival of Opportunities is now Evolve Festival. Check out the new website at www.evolvefestival.co.nz.

Evolve Festival will be held at Founders’ Park on 18 – 19 February 2012. It includes more than 70 workshops on health and wellbeing, food and market stalls, a kids’ zone, circus skills’ lessons, live entertainment and much more.

Evolve Festivals’ owners Chai and Bex Deva took over the event last year. They have relaunched it under a new name and logo after feedback showed the previous one was a mouthful to say, and too hard to remember.

“The name Evolve just felt right, and it more accurately reflects what the festival is about today,” says Chai. “Evolve festival is a chance for people to try new things and learn more about themselves through a whole range of interesting and fun workshops, seminars and activities.”

The couple say even though it has “evolved” they are keen to retain the essence of the event, which is New Zealand’s longest running festival for health and wellbeing.

“This event is something for Nelsonians to be proud of. To have this festival here is a big draw card for visitors, it’s the only one like it in New Zealand.

“It’s the only event that blends a health and wellbeing expo and festival in one. You can learn about and experience new things, have fun and celebrate – all in one weekend.”

In the past around 2,000 to 3000 people have attended the festival, however this year organisers are aiming for up to 5000.

“We have enhanced the festival and made changes so it will appeal to a broader audience.  There really will be something for everyone -from market stalls and live music, to learning how to make your own cleaning products and clay pizza ovens. There will be a fantastic kids zone and family area, and more than 70 interesting and fun workshops.”

For more information please contact Chaitanya Deva 027 570 9985. Photos are available on our website: www.evolvefestival.co.nz

The Festival features Bob at Large who featured on the Late Show with David Letterman juggling 3 tennis balls while riding a tall unicycle on a treadmill!

The Festival is comprised of five sites spread throughout Auckland City the BIG little City. Sites include Viaduct Harbour sites, Vulcan Lane, Downtown Westfield, Princes Wharf, and the Seafood Festival/Halsey Street.

The night shows at Market Square have been part of the Festival since 2003 and are a great way to socialise with friends whilst enjoying good outdoor dining in a fun and comical environment.

Acts for the 2012 Festival include:

-Victor Rubilar (Sweden/Argentina)
-Reuben DotDotDot (Australia)
-Hiyro (Japan)
-Blingling Bro’s (New Zealand)
-The Wally Show (Iceland/Australia)
-Bob at Large (USA)
-Lisa Lottie (The Netherlands)
-Nickey Fynn (Thailand/USA)
-Mickey J (Australia)
-Sir R Wolley (England/New Zealand)

Vote for your favourite performer with The People’s Choice Award: http://www.aucklandbuskersfestival.co.nz/peoples-choice-award/

For more information on the amazing spectacle which is The Auckland International Buskers Festival visit www.aucklandbuskersfestival.co.nz

The conference will celebrate the work of rural communities from all around New Zealand and provide an opportunity to explore the role that community leadership plays in sustainable land and water management. In addition the conference will examine sustainability in a broader commercial context, investigating how sustainable land management can make good business sense, both to farmers and the wider business community.

With landscapes under increasing pressure from commercial and recreational interests, the need to protect the environment and our native biodiversity has never been more important. The conference will consider the practical challenges associated with combining biodiversity enhancement projects with the commercial needs of primary producers.

Who should attend?

Delegates will share an interest in community led solutions to sustainable land and water issues:

• Farmers
• Landowners
• Landcare and community group representatives
• Iwi representatives
• Resource management professionals
• Land management staff
• Biodiversity and biosecurity professionals
• Local authority representatives
• Government representatives
• Members of the scientific community
• Researchers and tertiary students
• Agricultural and sustainability consultants

Different Perspectives

The conference aims to inform and challenge the audience by looking at landcare and catchment management issues from different perspectives.

One global perspective will be offered by Matthew Reddy from the International River Foundation who will highlight the Foundation’s work supporting river and catchment management projects around the world and the role played by the International River Prize. He will discuss innovative ideas such as twinning projects from different countries and identify opportunities for NZ river managers.

Among many local perspectives South Island farmer Doug Avery will speak about the Green Ribbon Award winning work of the Starborough Flaxbourne Soil Conservation Group and how they overcame the challenges of dryland farming, helping to build greater farm resilience. Doug will explain how he used Lucerne to enhance stock performance on his test farm. He will also discuss the value of events and fieldays to rural communities and the important role they play in spreading the word. Farmers can really benefit from keeping an open mind… willing to take the lead and explore innovative solutions.

Speaker Bio: Matthew Reddy

Matthew Reddy is CEO of the International River Foundation, a passionate practitioner in environmental and management consulting his main areas of expertise cover project financing, capital raising and the application of market based instruments in carbon and ecosystem services. Matthew has national and international project experience including environmental management systems, catchment scale implementation of biodiverse forest carbon sinks, degraded river restoration, native grasslands, freshwater biodiversity and wetlands.

Email:  conference@landcare.org.nz

2 Walk and Cycle Conference- register now!

The first ever joint NZ Walking and Cycling conference will be held from 22-24 February 2012 in Hastings. Over 70 speakers will be presenting – registration forms and a draft programme are now available.

The focus of this conference is on everyday walking and cycling for transport, recreation and tourism. It encompasses all aspects of trips made by these “active modes” (including promotion, infrastructure, safety, policy and training) and their integration with each other, other travel options, and our lifestyles in general.

Early-bird registrations close on Wednesday 21 December – hurry!

For more information or to register, go to: http://www.2walkandcycle.org.nz

Friday February 10^th, 10am till 6pm, Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna

The ReGeneration Trust invites you to join us for a day of inspiring, entertaining and thought provoking presentations from leading New Zealand changemakers. As well as great talks, films, live performances and intergenerational presentations there will be plenty of networking time to meet new people as well as catch up with old friends.

The Convention will be held on the 10th of February at the Bruce Mason Centre on Auckland’s North Shore from 10am till 6pm. Speakers include Robin Allison, creator of Earthsong Eco neighbourhood, Gael Surgenor from the It’s Not Okay campaign, activist and comic artist Sam Orchard, and John Stansfield from Oxfam New Zealand.

So get a crew together, take a day out from work or study and come and get inspired about the positive change projects happening all around this beautiful country.

–
Lani Evans
ReGeneration Project Co-Convener

021-474-496
lani@regeneration.org.nz

Image borrowed from the website: http://www.greenteens.co.nz/about

A How-To-Blog by Brittany Packer on the fun, fulfilling and feng- shui –ing art of Re-decorating.

This Car- Free day I am going to spend the morning changing around my room! You can too!  Depending on your budget and how much time you want to spend, there are heaps of cool ways to redesign and create new elements to your bedroom. I’m planning on spending the afternoon reading, writing, and relaxing in my new space!

Here’s some ideas based on your money and time commitments to the project:

“I’m broke and I want this done in less than two hours”:

•  Re-arrange furniture! The simplest way to give a whole new feel to your bedroom. If you wanted a more calming and serene space, you might think about following some guidelines of Feng Shui. This is the ancient Chinese art of orientation of people and place in order to boost positive energy and flow. For some tips on Feng Shui, check this website out: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-to-feng-shui-your-bedroom.html

•  Re-set candles. Take old and boring candles, melt them down, perhaps add some food colouring, essence, or perfume, pour them in an old jar or un-used wine glass, and let set.

•  Collage a piece of furniture. Grab some of your old magazines and flick through the pages until you find a theme that suits your style. Mix regular glue and water to make a paste.  Anything can be collaged, including desktops, bookshelves, and the insides of a cupboard.  Cover the piece in glue and cutout images and let dry.

•  Add some life. Fresh cut flowers and potplants (even if it just means putting a wee garden flower in a decorated jar) instantly brighten any room. The smell of nice flowers is an added bonus! You could even seed some native trees in your room to eventually re-plant outside.

“I’ve got most of the morning, and I can afford a few knick-knacks but I’m no interior designer!”:

•  Sew up new pillowcases. New bedding will change the feel of the whole room, and pillowcases in a different colour are a cheap and easy way to start! You can add color, shine, glitter, and class with small pillows. And they are inexpensive! Visit the remnant bin at your local fabric store. Find some luxurious fabrics to make very elegant pillows. Even try your closet for materials you just won’t wear again.

•  Mirrors and posters. Scour thrift shops and yard sales for mirrors large and small. Find similar mirrors, or use paint and patchwork to make different mirrors look similar. Group together to add pizzazz to the wall.

•  The devil is in the details. Often, small changes in significant places can make a huge difference! Swap doorknobs and cupboard handles from your kitchen or bathroom for the ones in your room.

•  Make room in your closet. Paint shoe-boxes and hang canvas shopping bags to make more space for your clothes and shoes inside your closet.

•  Frame your Facebook. What’s the point of having beautiful photos if you can’t see them?  Use your home printer or if you fancy better quality, take them into professional printers.  Home-make frames out of cardboard or scraps of wood and decorate with colour and natural additions: leaves, shells, sand, flowers. Alternatively, purchase or make a pinboard and display arrangements of photos.

“I’m going all out!”:

•  Lose the overhead lighting. Overhead lights often give a sterile and harsh feel. Opt for large lamps and table lamps with a tint. Pop in a frosted eco-bulb for a yellow light that’s green!

•  Be eventful. Choose a theme that suits you. Style with red and green for the festive time of year, or use all natural browns and blues for a summer hue. The options are endless, and open opportunities for more redecorating down the track.

•  Paint like a pro. If you’re confident with a paintbrush, you could even choose a ‘feature wall’ for a mural, or even just a little artistic addition! Examples include: painting clouds and birds on your roof or an iconic tree up the side of the wall. If you live in a rented house, let your creativity out on some canvases. Try to choose paint that leaves little residue on our environment, Resene is one well-known brand that has more eco-friendly options. And clean up thoroughly, paint can be quite toxic, and all drains lead to the sea!

If you’re still stuck for ideas, ask around and ask Mr. Google. Redecorating your room is a simple and fun way to spend a morning or afternoon at home, and can be enjoyed for weeks to come!

Enjoy your car-free Sunday!

Brittany

Join the facebook page: Ode to Tauranga: Three Car Free Days Before 31st December, 2011

Fancy a local street picnic this Sunday?  Or perhaps a quality day at home with the family or friends.  What ever you do, leave the car at home and find more creative ways to get from A to B.  Why?  Because it’s It’s Car Free Sunday – the opportunity to experience life and transport without using oil.  Car Free Sunday has been organised as a positive, proactive response to the Tauranga Oil Spill.

Organiser Charlotte Squire, Editor of the good news website Happyzine says Car Free Days are a great way to quickly reduce oil consumption, and are an “ode to the people of Tauranga” during a challenging time for their community.

Squire suggests the following activities for car free days: “Local street picnics, gardening, baking, bottling, jam making, neighbourly chats, taking the kids fishing at the closest river or beach, reading, leisurely strolls around the neighbourhood, cycling, morning and afternoon teas with friends, long over due house maintenance, long chats about stuff we’ve been waiting to find the time to chat about, shooting some hoops, teaching the kids the games you used to play, indulging in a spot of ping-pong, yoga, meditation. The options are bountiful, simple, grounding, and potentially highly enjoyable.”

Squire says Car Free Days have been happening for decades and are great ways of strengthening community, while making a positive difference to the planet.

“Earlier this year the Kapiti Coast City Council (North Island, New Zealand) ran the Greenest Street challenge. Te Roto Street won it and the number one reason was that they introduced Car-Less days – one day per week. They kept records and found that they collectively saved $11,333 in fuel costs over one year, which equated to a reduction in CO2 of 13,022,000 grams. Imagine the difference we could make if hundreds, or even thousands of people took three days out before the end of this year to slow down and go Car Free.”

Spot prizes will be awarded to people who 1.  Demonstrate the most creative ways to get from A – B and to people who 2.  Email organisers the amount of kilometres they avoided driving.

The spot prizes include: Organic Clothing from Freddy Chur, the new coloured Ecotanka Drink Bottles, all natural Source Living soaps, funky cloths from organic award winning, certified organic wine from Richmond Plains Estate and Te Mania Wines and organic chocolate.

The final Car Free Sunday is December 18th, 2011.