The following dates and community events provide an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of our environment.
2012 International Year of Coooperatives
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives, highlighting the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development, particularly their impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration.
Website: www.un.org/en/events/coopsyear
Seaweek : 3 - 11 March 2012
Hosted by the NZ Association for Environmental Education, Seaweek focuses on learning from the sea. It’s about exciting and inspiring all New Zealanders to renew
their connections with the sea. Seaweek comprises a wide range of events, activities, opportunities, competitions and calls to action.
Website: www.seaweek.org.nz
World Environment Day : 5 June 2012
World Environment Day was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1972, to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. It is held in a different country each year on June 5. New Zealand hosted World Environment Day in 2008.
Website: www.mfe.govt.nz
Arbor Day : 5 June 2012
Arbor Day marks the beginning of the planting season and a time to celebrate the unique biodiversity of our country.
Website: http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/events-and-awards/arbor-day/
World Oceans Day : 8 June 2012
Website: www.un.org
Matariki - Maori New Year : 21 June 2012
Matariki is the Māori name for the group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster, or The Seven Sisters, and is referred to as the traditional Māori New Year.
Website: www.mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/matariki
Māori Language Week : 2012 dates to be confirmed
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission) have chosen “Manaakitanga” as the theme for Māori Language Week 2011.
Website: www.koreromaori.co.nz
Keep New Zealand Beautiful Week : 2012 dates TBC
A week of acitivities across the country to clean up New Zealand, coordinated by Keep New Zealand Beautiful.
Website: www.knzb.org.nz
Conservation Week : 9 - 16 September 2012
Conservation Week activities are coordinated by the Department of Conservation and have been celebrated since 1969.
Website: www.conservationweek.org.nz
World Habitat Day : 3 October 2012
Website: www.un.org