Talking Taiao

What if you could start your own communal garden around Taranaki? Shari shares her experience of creating Growmeez, a local communal garden producing a LOT, and not only veggies!

Our mission is to inspire and support people, businesses, and communities to value our local taiao (environment) and act to prioritize sustainability.

What’s happening beneath the surface of our moana? In this episode of Talking Taiao on Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM, Sophie sits down with Cam Hunt, Senior Ranger for DOC Taranaki, to talk about the Tapuae and Parininihi Marine Reserves, the state of our marine life, and the mahi DOC is leading to restore the coastal environment around New Plymouth. Discover how you and your whānau can play a part in protecting our blue backyard.

The Green Loop is now launched! This new local social enterprise is collecting food waste from businesses and converting it into soil for our farms in Taranaki. Join Mieke and Sophie explaining how this project started and how it works. Visit www.GreenLoop.org.nz for more info!

Join Sophie Walker and Elric Aublant on Talking Taiao as they chat about fun ways to volunteer. From zero waste events and community gardens to beach cleanups and the Sustainable Backyards Trails. There’s plenty coming up to get involved, connect with others, and help care for our taiao!

Join host Sophie as she chats with Catherine Stabb, Sustainable Trails Manager, about the inspiring properties and hosts featured in this year’s Hit the Trail series. From solar-powered homes to lush bio-intensive veggie gardens and abundant orchards, the Sustainable Trails open the gates to some of the most innovative and eco-friendly backyards in Taranaki. Discover clever tips you can try at home, meet the passionate people behind the projects.

Our mission is to inspire and support people, businesses, and communities to value our local taiao (environment) and act to prioritize sustainability.

From gardens that give back to builds that breathe, and farms that put the whenua first, the 2025 Sustainable Trails programme is back and better than ever! Join Talking Taiao host Sophie Walker as she chats with Catherine Stabb, Sustainable Trails Manager, about this year’s inspiring lineup: the Sustainable Backyards Trail, Sustainable Builds, and Sustainable Farms. Discover tips for visiting, how to get involved, and why working with nature makes all the difference.

We discard 800,000 coffee cups a day in Aotearoa. Dave and Elric discuss why this is a BIG issue and what we can all do to fix it. From local companies leading the way to the technicalities (and greenwashing) behind "100% compostable plastic-free packaging", there is a lot to take away in this episode!

In this episode of Talking Taiao, Sophie chats with Sustainable Taranaki’s Organic Programmes Manager, Mieke Verschoor, about how to keep your māra (garden) thriving during the colder months. From composting tips and whānau-friendly garden ideas to what’s brewing in the community gardens of Marfell. It’s a celebration of winter abundance and connection. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just planting your first seed, there’s something here to warm your hands and heart.