The following dates and community events provide an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of our environment.
International Year of Water Cooperation
The United Nations (UN) has declared 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation (IYWC).
The UN resolution to designate 2013 as the Year of Water Cooperation recognizes that “water is critical for sustainable development, including environmental integrity and the eradication of poverty and hunger, and is indispensable for human health and well-being.”
Website: www.un.org
Seaweek : 2 - 10 March 2013
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 2013
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 2013
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/other-national-events/
World Oceans Day : 8 June 2013
Website: www.un.org
Matariki - Maori New Year : 10 June 2013
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 : 1 – 7 July 2013
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission) have chosen “Ngā Ingoa Māori” (Māori names) as the theme for Māori Language Week 2013.
Website: www.koreromaori.co.nz
Keep New Zealand Beautiful Week : 15 – 21 September 2013
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 : 8 - 15 September 2013
Conservation Week activities are coordinated by the Department of Conservation and have been celebrated since 1969.
Website: www.conservationweek.org.nz
World Habitat Day : 7 October 2013
The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day.
Website: www.unhabitat.org
World Animal Week : 2013 dates to be confirmed
Website: www.wspa.org.nz
World Space Week : 4 - 10 October 2013
Website: www.worldspaceweek.org
Disaster Reduction Day : 9 October 2013
The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction is annually observed on the second Wednesday of October to raise the profile of disaster risk reduction. It also encourages people and governments to participate in building more resilient communities and nations.
Website: www.whatstheplanstan.govt.nz
Rain Forest Week : 2013 dates to be confirmed
Website: www.rainforestheroes.com
World Food Day : 16 October 2013
The day is observed every year around the world on 16 October in honour of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in 1945.
Website: www.fao.org
World Fisheries Day : 21 November 2013
World Fisheries day is celebrated every year on November 21 throughout the world by the fisherfolk communities.
Website: www.seafood.co.nz
Recycle Week: 11 - 16 November 2013
Human Rights Day : 10 December 2013
The United Nations' (UN) Human Rights Day is annually observed December 10 to mark the anniversary of the presentation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Website: www.hrc.co.nz
International Mountain Day : 11 December 2013
The United Nations' (UN) International Mountain Day is an occasion to help raise awareness of the people who live in mountainous regions and the role that these regions play in providing food, water, and recreation. It is observed on December 11 each year.
Website: www.timeanddate.com