Green dates
The following dates and community events provide an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of our environment.
Seaweek - Kaupapa Moana
4 March to 12 March 2023
The theme - Toi Moana ~ Toi Tangata - Connecting With Our Seas
Seaweek is New Zealand's annual national week celebrating the sea. Hosted by the NZ Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE), Seaweek is an opportunity for all ages to discover the many ways that our lives are connected to the sea.
In March every year, educators across Aotearoa encourage and promote events and community action projects to inspire and enable this connection.
Website: www.seaweek.org.nz
World Environment Day
5 June 2023
2023 is the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day. This year the host is Côte d'Ivoire in partnership with the Netherlands. Over the past five decades, the day has grown to be one of the largest global platforms for environmental outreach. Tens of millions of people take part along with governments, companies, cities and community organizations.
This year we spotlight solutions to plastic pollution. Stay tuned to find out how you can #BeatPlasticPollution.
New Zealand hosted World Environment Day in 2008 in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). While Wellington was the host city, World Environment Day was celebrated actively throughout New Zealand to promote the 2008 'Kick the Carbon Habit' theme.
Website: www.worldenvironmentday.global
Arbor Day
5 June 2023
Arbor Day marks the beginning of the planting season and a time to celebrate the unique biodiversity of our country. The date coincides with World Environment Day every year.
Website: www.doc.govt.nz
World Oceans Day
8 June 2023
"One Ocean, One Climate, One Future – Together"
World Oceans Day is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans. It is celebrated on 8 June every year.
Website: www.worldoceansday.org
Matariki - Māori New Year
10 - 13 July 2023
Matariki is the Māori name for the group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster, or The Seven Sisters, Te iwa o Matariki (the nine stars of Matariki) are referred to as the traditional Māori New Year. The Matariki holiday for 2023 is on Friday 14 July
Website: www.tepapa.govt.nz
Keep New Zealand Beautiful Week
*Date for 2023 is yet to be confirmed*
A 'clean-up week' of activities across the country to clean up New Zealand, coordinated by Keep New Zealand Beautiful.
Website: www.knzb.org.nz
Māori Language Week
11 - 18 September 2023
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission) will develop helpful guidance on the use of Māori language in the home and will increase awareness of the benefits of bilingualism.
Theme: ‘Kia kaha te reo Māori’ - ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong'.
Website: www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz
Conservation Week
5 - 11 September 2023
Conservation Week activities are coordinated by the Department of Conservation and have been celebrated since 1969.
Website: www.doc.govt.nz/conservationweek
World Habitat Day
4 October 2023
The United Nations' (UN) World Habitat Day is annually celebrated on the first Monday of October to reflect on the state of human settlements and people's right to sufficient shelter. It also aims to remind people that they are responsible for the habitat of future next generations.
Website: www.un.org
World Animal Week
3 - 9 October 2023
The World Society for the Protection of Animals has designated from 3 - 9 October every year as World Animal Week. World Animal Day is 4 October 2023.
Website: www.worldanimalprotection.org
World Space Week
4 - 10 October 2023
The theme - “Space and Sustainability”
Each year from 4 - 10 October, World Space Week celebrates the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.
Website: www.worldspaceweek.org
Disaster Reduction Day
13 October 2023
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.un.org/en/observances/disaster-reduction-day
World Food Day
16 October 2023
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 2023
World Fisheries day is celebrated every year on November 21 throughout the world by fishing communities. This day is celebrated through rallies, workshops, public meetings, cultural programs, dramas, exhibition, music show, and demonstrations to highlight the importance of maintaining the world's fisheries.
Website: www.wiseoceans.com
Human Rights Day
10 December 2023
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 2023
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.