Clothed in kindness
A New Zealand fashion company is caring for people and the environment.
Maureen Howard
Flipping the script
Flipping the script
Kiwibank 2020 New Zealander of the Year Jennifer Ward-Lealand walked into the Alternative Aotearoa conference feeling curious and came out filled with hope. Maureen Howard finds out why.
The waste minimisers
The waste minimisers
A system of regulated product stewardship for six "priority products" is coming into effect under the Waste Minimisation Act. Maureen Howard asks six waste minimisers what they're doing to make a difference.
Piling in behind nature
Piling in behind nature
Climate change is challenging the St Clair-St Kilda coastline and the protection measures of the past. Maureen Howard finds out what the Dunedin City Council is doing to adapt to nature’s ways.
The future they represent
The future they represent
Art can convey complex issues in a direct and intuitive way. Maureen Howard talks to school pupils about what they hope to communicate about the unequal effects of climate change at their exhibition.
Change makers: getting together to do good
Change makers: getting together to do good
How do you turn a notion into action? Maureen Howard talks to the people behind four inspiring community initiatives transforming society from the bottom up.
Resilient: Activist profiles
Resilient: Activist profiles
Social entrepreneurs strive to address pressing social and environmental issues while creating economic opportunities. Maureen Howard asks six how they include doing good in what they do.
Wrapping up the plastic
Wrapping up the plastic
To move from "throwaway" to "no away" will require a system-wide change in how we use resources. Maureen Howard finds out why we are at a pivotal point.
Crossing paths
Crossing paths
We know walking and cycling is good for us and the planet, but it’s not always made easy. Maureen Howard talks to those sweating the small stuff to make it a viable choice.
Pressing reset
Pressing reset
Billions are being spent on Covid-19, but Govt money also needs to tackle ecological emergencies. Doing both can be good for jobs, communities and the economy. Maureen Howard finds out why.
Inducing a conscience
Inducing a conscience
Aramoana artist Adrian Hall reflects on nature, climate change and the vantage point gained from living in a low-lying coastal community, Maureen Howard writes.
Living streams
Living streams
The life in our streams and rivers has long helped us monitor their health. Now scientists are looking to it again — and in particular, macroinvertebrate life — to tell us whether pesticide use is bringing a new crisis.
Life holds promise
Life holds promise
Leaving fossil fuels unburned remains the first urgent priority of climate action, but protecting and restoring natural ecosystems will also be critical, according to a recent review of the scientific literature.
Seeds of hope
Seeds of hope
As our climate and ecological crises deepen, attention has been turning to viable and efficient ways to restore natural ecosystems. Maureen Howard talks to volunteers restoring native beech forest to slopes of Wakatipu Basin.
A power that runs deep
A power that runs deep
When it comes to sequestering carbon, New Zealand’s peatlands are champions. Maureen Howard finds out why.
Fired up about wood
Fired up about wood
We still burn a lot of coal to ward off the cold and to fuel industry, despite the price in carbon emissions. But as Maureen Howard reveals, there’s a cleaner, plentiful alternative.
A good harvest
A good harvest
Grey hair and wrinkles are par for the course in farming circles these days. Maureen Howard talks to a new generation of organic market gardeners who have created a living by going local, small and...
Streams flow together
Streams flow together
Farmer-led catchment groups are refocusing effort on the environment, Maureen Howard reports.
All at sea
All at sea
We know the hoiho is in trouble. We know a shifting diet is part of the problem. But how does this knowledge help highlight hope? Maureen Howard looks to sea for answers.
Channelling community change
Channelling community change
Whether it is swales or community-owned electric vehicles, recent QSM recipient Dugald MacTavish is thinking of the future, writes Maureen Howard.