Conservation Week / Te Wiki o Te Taiao

Join us during Conservation Week for a free community display celebrating the incredible conservation work happening across Northland.

Visit the Activity Centre at the Hundertwasser Art Centre from Tuesday (21 April 2026) to Sunday (26 April 2026) to learn more about local organisations protecting our environment

Participating organisations include:

Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust

Since 2001, Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust has had a clear mission: inspire and support grassroots conservation. We work with schools, communities, government, and other organisations to plan and deliver on-the-ground action in freshwater and marine environments across Aotearoa. From life-changing snorkel experiences to wraparound catchment group support, we connect Kiwis to their waterways and sow the seeds of long-term restorative action.

For more information: https://www.mountainstosea.org.nz/

Predator Free Whangārei

Predator Free Whangārei is a collaborative project between local community groups, private landowners and government agencies to restore our native flora and fauna.

Our project builds on decades of community conservation efforts and is working towards getting rid of every last possum, for good! The project area covers 9,000+ hectares in the Whangārei Heads area, from Bream Head to Parua Bay.

For more information: https://predatorfreewhangarei.nz/

F.O.R.C.E. - For Our Real Clean Environment

For Our Real Clean Environment is a charitable trust working with Whangārei communities to help restore and care for the natural environment. Their focus is on practical action and waste minimisation—supporting people to get involved in activities that reduce litter, keep reusable items in circulation, and strengthen community connection.

They run Love Whangārei Monthly Clean Up, which brings volunteers together for 2 hours once a month to remove waste from local environments. They also operate He Awhi Rito Envirohub, a community space that hosts environmental organisations and provides workshop and hot-desking facilities to support collaboration and learning. In addition, they deliver Repair Cafe Whangārei—monthly events where people come together to repair broken household items for a koha, helping reduce waste while sharing skills and supporting one another.

For more information: https://www.force.org.nz/

NĪSP – Whitebait Connection

Nicholas joined the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust (MTSCT) in March 2021 and now leads the National Īnanga Spawning Program (NĪSP). With M.Sc. degrees in Marine Science and Osteopathy, he brings strong academic and practical knowledge to freshwater conservation. A lifelong love of water, sparked by a childhood stream, drives his passion. Supporting hapū, iwi, and communities to protect local waterways is a privilege he values deeply.

Since 2001, MTSCT has been connecting people with nature through inspiring education and hands-on action. A small and bold initiative that started in Northland has grown into four national programmes (Wai Connection, Experiencing Marine Reserves, Whitebait Connection, National Īnanga Spawning Programme) that are now delivered across Aotearoa. This is in part a response to New Zealanders' increasing demand to learn about and protect their waterways but it is also due to our unique approach - to empower people everywhere to care for their local freshwater and marine environments.

The National Īnanga Spawning Programme (NĪSP) represents a collaborative nationwide effort to identify, monitor, protect, and restore īnanga spawning habitat across Aotearoa New Zealand. The NĪSP team work alongside regional and territorial authorities, community groups, and tangata whenua, building upon a rich history of īnanga conservation to enhance spawning success and safeguard these taonga species for future generations.

For more information:

https://www.mountainstosea.org.nz/national-programmes/whitebait-connection

Kiwi Coast

For more information: https://kiwicoast.org.nz/

Each organisation will have a display highlighting who they are, the amazing work they do and how they are helping to protect our natural environment.

Visitors are invited to explore the displays, learn about conservation efforts in our region, and share their own stories of connecting with nature.

Entry is free and everyone is welcome.

Come along and be inspired to Take Action for Nature.