Promoting sustainability around the village

The resident-led ‘Green Team’ works in partnership with the village team and gardening contractors to minimise environmental impacts by promoting sustainability and biodiversity projects around the village site. Initiatives include hosting a full day of educational activities to mark the UN World Environment Day on 5 June each year, with speakers, films and demonstration tables on how residents can ‘Reduce, Re-Use, Re-Invent and Re-Cycle’. During DOC Conservation Week, the team similarly organises an array of information events, including showing a daily film on climate change solutions.

Twice yearly, the Green Team organises an E-waste collection at the village. It promotes good practice in food scrap collection and disposal through the village worm farms (set up in 2023) and the collection and disposal system established through Auckland Council. One of its larger projects has been the identification of the 80+ fruit trees growing on the Selwyn site (excluding those growing in individual gardens/allotments) and undertaking their regular care and fertilisation. Members also continue to keep a look-out for invasive weeds that might appear within the village grounds and organise their removal by the village’s gardening contractors.