Environment & Conservation

We're a not-for-profit Wellington ecosanctuary that connects people with our unique natural heritage, and inspires actions that transform how people live with nature in our cities, towns and beyond. The Education and Learning team welcome thousands of primary through to secondary school students into the valley and go to their schools as part of the outreach programme. They also work with rangatahi, the next generation of conservationists. Our 500+ volunteers are an essential part of the workforce,

The Trelissick Park Group is a group of volunteers who help maintain and improve Trelissick Park in partnership with the Wellington City Council, the Greater Wellington Regional Council, and other conservation and community groups in the area.

Te Rito helps people learn to grow food and plants of various kinds and acquire an income in a sustainable way. To empower people with the skills, knowledge and the confidence to “go forward” into a career in the horticultural sector. We provide our service to those with a real desire to learn and improve themselves particularly those with barriers to acquiring meaningful employment.

Starting in Porirua’s Trash Palace in 2003 – a few keen environmentalists talking to people about ways to reduce their waste and live in balance with the environment.We hit our stride the following year when the government started funding insulation to create healthier, more energy efficient homes for low-income families. We successfully applied to become a partner, ordered our first container of insulation, and warmed up 68 homes that year. Now we insulate an average of 900 homes a year.Our steady growth since 2004 has allowed us to refit a central Wellington space to create a warm and busy site, which now houses over 50 staff and dozens of volunteers all focused on supporting people to reduce their impact on the environment.

The Matairangi Trail Builders were established in late 2020 with a vision to transform Matairangi (Mount Victoria) into a premier mountain bike hub for the city.

Manawa Karioi Society Incorporated was formed in 1990 to manage a large plot of land that was primarily gorse, blackberry and grass. The vision was for a 'bird and bush reserve'. Now, 25 years later, much of the site is covered in native bush with the abundance and diversity of native plants and animals continuing to increase.

The Mākara Peak Supporters are working with Wellington City Council to build and manage a world class mountain bike park in a regenerating native forest. Supporters are assist in a variety of ways including pest animal and plant control, protecting and reintroducing rare native plant species and planting thousands of seedlings.

Through the iconic “Keep New Zealand Beautiful” brand, and with the help of many different volunteers, Keep Hutt Valley Beautiful plans, undertakes, administers, leads and publicizes environmental beautification projects and events to improve and beautify the environment and the appearance of the Hutt Valley in general.

Established in 1903 to promote the study and practice in horticulture in all its forms, the Society has a long history of providing horticultural advice in the Hutt Valley and surrounding areas. From novices through to highly experienced practitioners, our members all share a passion for plants and gardening.

Promoting and enhancing the conservation and long term preservation of bush reserves in the Tawa Basin. The Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves is a local environmental care group. We work to promote and enhance the conservation and long term preservation of bush reserves in Tawa.