Environment Network Manawatū

How supercritical geothermal energy could change our future With LNG on the way, The Detail looks at two possible fuel alternatives that could deal to New Zealand's reliance on gas and coal

"Deep Heat is the name given to the supercritical geothermal energy project where an international group of scientists is working on a plan to drill between four and six kilometres into the earth's crust to reach superhot fluids."

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Green Corridors Working Bee
Mar 14, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Area: Summerhill. Email us for the exact location this week.
Green Corridors is a voluntary group that works with Palmerston North City Council to plant reserve areas to encourage native biodiversity.
environmentnetwork.org.nz/contact-envi...

The Japanese school lunch - and lessons for Aotearoa Kyushoku: the deep culture of the Japanese school lunch, and lessons for Aotearoa.

or the Japanese model, which the kids help with & learn skills
northandsouth.co.nz/2025/06/19/t...

Why can’t we provide a free school meal scheme as good as Brazil’s? Comment from Auckland University: More than half of children experiencing food insecurity in NZ do not get a free school meal

Why can’t we provide a free school meal scheme as good as Brazil’s? More than half of children experiencing food insecurity in NZ do not attend schools receiving the free school meals programme.
newsroom.co.nz/2026/03/08/w...

New modelling shows renewable electricity can meet NZ’s future demand – without importing gas New Zealand could meet its electricity needs through renewables and avoid power shortages during dry years by combining battery systems with pumped hydro schemes.

"We examined whether a fully renewable grid could meet growing electricity demand as the economy decarbonises, and whether the system would be sufficiently resilient during dry years – the conditions that led to an energy security crisis in 2024."

theconversation.com/new-modellin...

Manawatū About UsOur Branch encompasses a very diverse area from an environmental, ecological, geological and geographical perspective, extending from Dannevirke to Fielding, Palmerston North and beyond.Meetin...

Forest & Bird Meeting
Mar 10, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
PN City Library, George Street entrance
www.forestandbird.org.nz/branches/man...

Submission guide for the consultation on lane use improvements - Living Streets Aotearoa Introduction The Government has just released the Consultation on lane use improvements. While Living Streets Aotearoa broadly supports four out of five of the proposals, we do not support Proposal 1 ...

Submission guide for the consultation on lane use improvements.

"The Government has just released the Consultation on lane use improvements. While Living Streets Aotearoa broadly supports four out of five of the proposals, we do not support Proposal 1 ..."

livingstreets.org.nz/submission-g...

Farewell to the Birds
Date and Time: Sat 7th March 11.30am
Location: Dawick Street viewing platform, Foxton Beach.

Members of the Manawatū Estuary Trust extend a welcome to everyone to join them for this annual event.

www.metrust.org.nz

A new space race could turn our atmosphere into a ‘crematorium for satellites’ Planned ‘megaconstellations’ of satellites could cause unforeseen harm to the ozone layer and climate systems. Global regulation is needed before it’s too late.

A sleeper risk for our climate and ozone layer

"That sheer number isn’t the only issue... The planned V3 satellites are larger still, comparable in scale to a Boeing 737 airliner."

theconversation.com/a-new-space-...

ENM Community Food Sovereignty Autumn Hui 2026
Tuesday the 24th March 10am - 2:00pm
Kelvin Grove Community Centre, 68 Kaimanawa Street, Kelvin Grove 4414

🌱 Join us for a celebration of community food abundance and seed the change for future seasons.

More info and register below.

Sustainable Living Workshops
We’d love for you to be part of this friendly, inspiring journey toward a more sustainable future.
Location: Palmerston North CBD
Times: Tuesday evenings from 5.30pm to 7.30pm

More here --> www.enm.org.nz/climate-acti...

Save the Date: Kai o Ngā Tau Ki Mua

Food Futures: Building Climate-Resilient Food Systems

Palmerston North | 21 July 2026 | 9:00am–5:00pm
Venue: Palmerston North Conference & Function Centre
Ticketed event

BUILD PALMY MARCH FORUM
Construction & Demolition Waste
Thursday 19th March
2pm to 3.30pm
Palmy Conference Centre.

PNCC invites you to the next Build Palmy forum, where they'll focus on one of the environmental challenges facing their sector
Register -
forms.office.com/pages/respon...

Horizons Environmental Education Grant - Open
This fund supports non Enviroschools/ ECE Centres to take action for the environment as part of learning about biodiversity and biosecurity in the Horizons region.

More funding opportunities here --> www.horizons.govt.nz/about-our-re...

Iwi can lead us through the climate crisis | E-Tangata “It is remarkable that our country has commenced recognising Indigenous ancestors in some significant lands and waters. It’s time to be next-level courageous with general conservation and environmenta...

"Looking long-term, law professor Jacinta Ruru says one of our greatest hopes for tackling the crisis is to embrace Indigenous leadership in caring for land and water."

e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-...

Host your own Stream Clean-Up!
We’ve got free equipment and a step by step guide to make organising easy.

✔ Get some friends together
✔ Choose a day
✔ Pick your section on the map
✔ Follow the guide and register your event

Read the Stream Clean-Up guide here --> www.enm.org.nz/circular-eco...

Farewell to the Birds
Date and Time: Sat 7th March 11.30am
Location: Dawick Street viewing platform, Foxton Beach.

Members of the Manawatū Estuary Trust extend a welcome to everyone to join them for this annual event.

www.metrust.org.nz

Explore Esplanade Day For one day only, the Victoria Esplanade will transform into a land before time. Alongside Palmy’s biggest playground and all the Esplanade’s much-loved attractions, step into a prehistoric world with...

Explore Esplanade Day Is This Sunday!
1st March

Come along and visit ENM for some fun activities! You'll find our stall in front of the Mini Golf at Victoria Esplanade. From 10am to 3pm, there’ll be heaps of free fun for your tamariki.

www.pncc.govt.nz/News-Events/...

Beekeeping is fabulous, and so rewarding

Manawatu Beekeepers Club's Beginners course 2026

March Sat 7th & Sun 8th

This course will be held over two days, including both theory and practical sessions. It is designed to give you the confidence to be a beekeeper, teaching all the basic aspects of beekeeping.

www.manawatubeeclub.org.nz

Volunteer Spotlight Sajani Dissanayake.

We’re so proud of Sajani Dissanayake, our youth representative on the ENM Board!

A huge congratulations to her for being appointed Head Girl of Palmerston North Girls’ High School for 2026.

www.enm.org.nz/news-1/news/...

What is the best wash cycle to use on your washing machine? From fast to eco, delicate to intense cold — the options your washing machine offers up can feel excessive.

Which wash cycles are most efficient?

www.rnz.co.nz/life/lifesty...

“Are We Cooked?”: New Greenpeace report warns of ready meals flooded with microplastics and toxic chemicals - Greenpeace International Consumers worldwide are being misled by “microwave-safe” labels while regulators turn a blind eye, as plastics production surges and health risks mount.

The report, Are We Cooked? The Hidden Health Risks of Plastic-Packaged Ready Meals, reviewed 24 recent scientific studies and finds that convenience food items marketed as “safe-to heat” are in fact potentially exposing millions of people to invisible contaminants every day.

Extreme weather is transforming the world’s rivers. We need new ways to protect them Rivers support billions of people but are among the least protected parts of nature. A major review shows what needs to be done as climate change accelerates.

Extreme weather is transforming the world’s rivers. We need new ways to protect them.

"Because rivers are connected systems, impacts rarely remain localised. Extreme climatic events can send impacts cascading through entire river networks, affecting communities far from where they begin."

Palmerston Nort Repair Cafe
Feb 28, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Palmerston North Repair Café takes place at Palmerston North Community Leisure Centre, 569 Ferguson Street. with the support of Environment Network Manawatū, PNCC, MENZSHED, SuperGrans and other community organisations.

Anger over plans to abolish New Zealand’s dedicated environment ministry Critics say proposal to fold department into a new ‘mega ministry’ will dilute accountability and put nature protections at risk

"New Zealand’s government is seeking to abolish its dedicated environment ministry to cut down on bureaucracy, a move critics say could dilute environmental protections."

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...

Beyond the beaches, Wellington’s catastrophic sewage spill could be bad news for coastal ecosystems Sewage spills are often seen as short-term public health crises. But the ecological impacts can be lasting, especially if combined with marine heatwaves and storms.

Beyond the beaches, Wellington’s catastrophic sewage spill could be bad news for coastal ecosystems.

The scale of ecological impacts remains uncertain. It will depend on how much sewage reaches reef systems, how concentrated it is, and how long the discharge continues.

Community gardens: solving the problem of food security Food insecurity, poor quality diet, stress and lack of green spaces: all are linked to the obesity epidemic. Here's one holistic solution

Community gardens: solving the problem of food security.

Food insecurity, poor quality diet, stress and lack of green spaces: all are linked to the obesity epidemic. Here's one holistic solution.

eastangliabylines.co.uk/lifestyle/co...

Climate change is here. NZ isn't ready Analysis: A serious approach to climate adaptation requires reckoning with the grim reality the future holds: more storms, more floods, more heat.

Climate change is here. NZ isn’t ready

In the short term, we can expect more floods, more extreme heat and more fires. By 2040, New Zealand will see twice as many days above 25C. By the end of the century, that number could triple, according to the 2020 National Climate Change Risk Assessment.

Taranaki exhibition gives voice to native species It aims to bring attention to legislative failures that enabled the exploitation of waterways and undermine hapū authority in enacting kaitiakitanga.

A Taranaki exhibition is giving a voice to native species including tuna (eels), iinanga and kooaro (whitebait), and piharau (lamprey), revealing the rhythms of life beneath the surface of New Zealand's freshwater streams and rivers.

28 February at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth.