Talking Taiao

In 2025, Sustainable Taranaki engaged with 8,077 people, removed 4,620 Litres of rubbish from our taiao (environment), and delivered 297 events, tours and workshops around our region. How did we get those numbers? Marie, our data analyst, did! In this episode, Marie tells us how she joined as a volunteer and then moved into the roles of volunteer supervisor AND data analyst! Visit Sustainable Taranaki’s website to learn more about our 2025 impact!

In this episode Sophie chats with Lucy Graydon, Head of Sustainability at TSB Bank and new board member of Sustainable Taranaki. Lucy shares her journey into sustainability leadership, what it’s really like driving change inside a bank, and why caring for te taiao is central to our future prosperity.

Dive in with Dave and Elric as they discuss how and where to get reliable "good" source of environmental knowledge and how to navigate the flow of information. They discuss how important and challenging this process is and will share some tips and practical advice.

Growing Ideas, Growing Community: Sustainable Trails 2025 Recap.

Join Sophie as she chats with Jenni Hammonds, Co-coordinator of Taranaki Sustainable Trails, reflecting on an exciting 2025 event filled with gardens, builds, farms and community wisdom. They share stories, lessons and what’s ahead for the 2026 Trails.

In this episode, Sophie chats with Sustainable Taranaki’s Communications Manager, Elric Aublant, about why he chooses cycling as his main way of getting around, and why more of us might want to join him. From emissions and city design to mental health, community wellbeing and those tiny things that put people off, this kōrero digs into the real barriers and the real solutions for a more bike-friendly Aotearoa.

Celebrate a year of inspiring rangatahi, reconnecting with te taiao, and growing environmental leaders with Te Ara Taiao (an environmental education programme for rangatahi grounded in Te Ao Maori). In this episode Sophie chats with Jane Bowden-Dobson, Kaiwhatu and Kairuruku of Te Ara Taiao, and unpacks the journey of Te Ara Taiao in 2025 and reveal what’s in store for 2026.

Sophie chats with Caroline Gottfert and Mieke Verschoor from Green Loop about turning commercial food waste into nutrient-rich compost, regenerating soil, local research, and innovation shaping Aotearoa’s circular food future.

Join Sophie on Talking Taiao as she chats with Cat Neale, “The Medicine Woman” about medicinal plants across our landscape, plant-based living, rongoā, and reconnecting with te whenua. A lively, inspiring kōrero with plenty of earthy wisdom.

Meet Nathan Hills from Rapid Reforestation. They are on a mission to increase native biodiversity in Taranaki, one tree at a time! In this episode, you'll learn how this great project started, how they plan and run an event, but also how you can be involved. If you are keen to volunteer or if you have a section that could be reforested.

Sophie Walker sits down with Taranaki builder Jeff Fairweather to unpack the magic of rammed earth, the challenges of building green, and why natural materials matter more than ever. A down-to-earth kōrero rooted in community, kaitiakitanga, and a vision for healthier homes.