Sustainability Options

13/06/2026

“It can be easy to get caught up in our own lives, the here and now.

Many people live their lives at a million miles an hour, ticking off an endless to do list and making decisions based on convenience.

But how often do we think about the world we are leaving behind? Today’s children, their children and their children’s children will be inheriting this world. Are we happy with what we’ll be leaving them?”🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒🌏

Check out our latest blog, written by our kaimahi Amy, who shares a bit about the sustainability workshops she has delivered over the last 5 years. 👇

It can be easy to get caught up in our own lives, the here and now. Many people live their lives at a million miles an hour, ticking off an endless to do list and making decisions based on convenience

12/06/2026

How are politics, the economy, and the environment shaping the future our young people will inherit? 🌏💭

In this week’s episode, we sit down with 17-year-old Mount Maunganui college student Jem Dougal. He is both politically active and incredibly grounded.
He shares his experience of being a taxpayer who has no voice when it comes to what this country invests in.

He talks about his future, clouded by AI 🤖 and environmental concerns 🌿— yet somehow stays optimistic in his well-considered views.

Join us for this very provocative discussion.
🎧Tune in at so.org.nz/our-podcast

10/06/2026

Go team - well done! 💚

Some of our awesome kaimahi have been out in the ngahere taking part in GRŌKS – the Great Ōtanewainuku Kiwi Survey, a rare and very special opportunity to support kiwi conservation in our own backyard. This survey was conducted by the Ōtanewainuku Kiwi Trust.

They were rallied together by our very own Anna, whose passion for protecting the environment is absolutely contagious.

Together, the volunteers headed out to kiwi listening points across the forest, tuning in to the night and documenting heard kiwi calls. These recordings help build a clearer picture of local kiwi populations — including those without transmitters — and contribute to long-term conservation planning.

The last official survey was 25 years ago, so this mahi is a rare chance to be part of a large-scale effort to understand how our precious kiwi are doing and where they’re living.

Anna says that, “being in the ngahere at night to listen for kiwi was truly a beautiful experience. I am amazed by the dedication of the volunteers that took part in this survey - over 100 people chose to spend their evening(s) out in the bush to help with this research!”

We’re so proud of our team for giving their time and energy to support environmental sustainability and the wellbeing of our taiao. Ka rawe! 🌿

06/06/2026

Tauranga whānau - free workshop alert! 🏡✨

Struggling with cold, damp, mould, or big power bills?

Join Jo next week at the Welcome Bay Community Centre for a Healthy Homes Workshop packed with easy tips to make your home warmer, drier, healthier, and more energy efficient.

Renting, owning, or something else — everyone’s welcome.
Details in the poster 👇💚

05/06/2026

🌿 Aotearoa has a $2B annual biodiversity funding gap - and Episode 3 of our podcast dives into what we can do about it.

This week, Nik and Jo chat with Ian Herbert (Biofin Assessment Lead at the University of Otago), who breaks down why NZ needs a natural capital policy, a biodiversity investment fund, and better measurement to guide real change. 📊🌱

Ian also speaks to the importance of intergenerational fairness and valuing nature in all the ways it matters - commercially, ecologically, intrinsically, and for those who come after us. 💚✨

It’s a powerful, eye opening listen.
🎧 Tune in at so.org.nz/our-podcast

03/06/2026

A special FREE GreenDrinks event coming up, this June! ✨

Dr Katherine Trebeck, co-founder of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand and Programme Director - Economy for The Next Economy, and Gareth Hughes, Director of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa will be joining us online at the Basestation venue to discuss 'what is a wellbeing economy.' 🌏

The work both Katherine and Gareth are involved in, and in many cases leading, is fundamental in changing the way we think about our economies and what they are here to do. They are both exceptional speakers, able to convey very complex messages in clear and relatable ways.

Thanks to Basestation, this session will be interactive, with Katherine and Gareth able to take a few questions after they've spoken. Following their session, we'll share with you the second series of the Sustainability Options podcast, featuring Katherine and Gareth as well as a range of locals, committed to shifting our economies into models fit for purpose and for the future.

Please register through Humanitix following this link:
https://events.humanitix.com/green-drinks-sevhyufl

📅 25th June, 2026
🕠 5.30pm - 7pm
📍Basestation, 148 Durham St, Tauranga, downstairs in the basement.

Thanks as always to our Green Drinks sponsors, Basestation, Vitality Kitchen - Tauranga and Zeden Cider Co.. We appreciate & 💚 you!

29/05/2026

Episode 2 of our posdcast is now live 🎙️

This week, Nik and Jo chat with Gareth Hughes, Director of WEAll Aotearoa, author, and political commentator.

They explore the work WEALL is doing to amplify grass roots activity nationally as well as internationally. This includes everything from social cohesion through to citizens assemblies as well as practical ways people in business can contribute to transforming our economic system.

It’s a really interesting and inspiring conversation about what change can look like in practice. We hope you enjoy it!

🔗 Head over to so.org.nz/our-podcast to listen now.

24/05/2026

Jo had a great time at Katikati Community Centre delivering another free healthy homes community workshop this week! 🤩

She got to share some handy tips around…
-Managing moisture 💧
-Effective and efficient heating 🔥
-Keeping the warmth in the home 🌡️
-Ventilation
-And more!

We’d love to share these healthy home tips with more whānau, especially with winter coming! Please get in touch with us to enquire about a workshop 👇
https://www.20degrees.org.nz/contact/

Special thanks to Powerco for sponsoring the awesome temperature cards we got to give out!