Media Releases

• 29 Hereturikōkā 2024

  Boccia’s popularity on the rise

  For kiwis living with impairments, there are many barriers to participation in play, active recreation and sports. Boccia New Zealand is a Christchurch based organisation working to remove barriers for people of all ages, by promoting and delivering the sport of boccia nationwide.

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• 08 Hōngongoi 2024

  Supporting whānau in need

  Canterbury kaupapa Māori organisation - Purapura Whetu Trust - is expanding its reach in communities of need as more people turn to its services for mental health and wellbeing support.

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• 19 Pipiri 2024

  The Buzz Around Nelson

  A Nelson not-for-profit has become a hive of activities, supporting young people with disabilities to successfully transition from their school environment into the workforce.

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• 27 Haratua 2024

  2.6 tonnes of rubbish removed in "Mother of all Cleanups"

  Conservation Volunteers New Zealand (CVNZ) is an environmental charity with a difference. The organisation aims to connect people to the natural environment through various conservation programmes and events. At the same time, it works to enhance the wellbeing of volunteers, delivering both environmental and social outcomes for the local community.

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• 22 Haratua 2024

  Maitahi Outrigger Canoe Club brings traditional waka ama to Nelson

  As waka ama grows in popularity throughout New Zealand, one Nelson club is proving age is no barrier to participating in the sport. Maitahi Outrigger Canoe Club (Maitahi) held its 15th annual Tuna e Hoe Ana regatta in February, with close to 200 competitors enjoying time on the picturesque water of Lake Rotoiti.

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• 23 Paengawhāwhā 2024

  Protecting Kaipūpū Sanctuary for future generations to thrive

  For staff and volunteers at Picton Dawn Chorus and Kaipūpū Sanctuary (Kaipūpū) at the top of the South Island, a shared vision to preserve the natural environment and protect native species for future generations is at the heart of their collaboration.

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• 07 Poutūterangi 2024

  Ōtautahi Māori Wardens step up as community need soars

  One Ōtautahi organisation is stepping up to support those in the local community feeling the pinch of rising costs. During 2023, the Ōtautahi Māori Wardens were collecting, packing, and distributing up to 80 food parcels weekly, delivering any leftovers to local community pantries in East Christchurch.

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• 05 Huitanguru 2024

  Supporting Canterbury’s Pacific Rainbow+ community by embracing Pasifika values

  Moana Vā, Navigators of Pacific Pride (Moana Vā) is a new organisation dedicated to the needs of Canterbury’s Pacific Rainbow+ community.

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• 29 Kohitātea 2024

  Satisfy Food Rescue ensures nothing goes to waste in a bid to support those in need

  The festive season is supposed to be a time of celebration. But for an increasing number of Canterbury families, it has provided added stress as they struggle to make ends meet due to rising food and grocery costs.

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• 11 Hakihea 2023

  Understanding what is going on “under the hood” critical to the success of Pasifika learners

  Young Pacific learners consistently fall below the national average in literacy and numeracy. Fale Youth is a local organisation working hard to help bridge the gap in engagement and achievement for Pasifika youth who have been identified as ‘at-risk students’ in mainstream classes.

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• 04 Hakihea 2023

  Age and ability are no barrier as Adaptive Snowsports members enjoy time on the mountain

  The sun has set on the 2023 ski season, and one local organisation is celebrating another successful year which has seen fifty-one people with disabilities given the opportunity to experience the thrill of alpine skiing. Adaptive Snowsports Canterbury supports people with a range of intellectual and physical disabilities to participate in snow sports on the picturesque mountains of Canterbury.

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• 13 Whiringa ā-rangi 2023

  Multicultural Centre supports a growing number of migrants to make Marlborough home

  In Marlborough, one local organisation is supporting a growing number of former refugees and migrants in the region to feel more at home. The Marlborough Multicultural Centre in Blenheim offers support services and events for newcomers, designed to celebrate diversity and foster a sense of belonging and cultural connection among migrant communities.

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• 12 Whiringa ā-nuku 2023

  Supporting generations of whānau to thrive in sport and recreation

  Ōtautahi Sports Association is more than just a traditional sports club. Based in the central city, the organisation is strengthening its ties to the community and supporting generations of whānau to participate in sport and cultural activities.

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• 09 Whiringa ā-nuku 2023

  Papuni Boxing a hit with young people and their whānau in Christchurch

  The recent Women’s Rugby and Football World Cups shone a bright light on female sport across the globe. Could boxing be the next sport to capture the imaginations of young wāhine in Aotearoa? If Addington-based boxing club Papuni Boxing Ōtautahi is anything to go by, the sport's popularity among female participants could be on the rise.

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• 31 Hōngongoi 2023

  First-of-a-kind resources for Muslim children launched in Aotearoa New Zealand

  With nearly 5,000 people of the Islamic faith residing in Canterbury, creating safe and nurturing learning spaces where young Muslim learners can thrive and succeed is crucial. New resources released today address Muslim children's needs and serve as a tool for building bridges of understanding and acceptance among the wider community.

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• 10 Hōngongoi 2023

  Critical conservation mahi continues to ramp up in Tasman and Nelson

  Tasman Environmental Trust (TET) has been on a mission as they ramp up their conservation efforts in Te Tau Ihu. They have helped plant 625,000 native plants, set 2920 pest traps, totalling 17,400 trap catches, and fostered 31,200 volunteer hours since 2000. “The number of native plantings has more than doubled in recent years, while there has been an increase of 88% in volunteer hours during that time,” says TET Manager, Sky Davies.

• 05 Hōngongoi 2023

  Tasman students adopting Nurseries in Schools with native seed bank project

  The Tasman District's technology education hub teaches students to care for their local environment through hands-on plant restoration and sustainability efforts. Motueka Technology Education Centre (MoTEC) is a multifunctional, sustainable education centre that combines technology, sustainability, and environmental learning. Year seven and eight students from schools across the region gather at the MoTEC campus, based at Parklands School, to learn from dedicated staff and volunteers.

• 26 Pipiri 2023

  First Climate Action Campus in New Zealand helps students take action

  Climate Change has become a significant concern worldwide, especially for young people. In Ōtautahi Christchurch, more than 8,000 students can now channel their concerns into action by running their projects through a collaborative Climate Action Campus. With Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery as the lead school, primary and secondary students from a dozen local schools can get involved in projects to help bring about positive environmental change. The number of schools has grown from last year and is still climbing.