Talking Taiao

What if growing food could also grow community, strengthen our connection to the whenua and help create a more sustainable Taranaki? On this episode, Sophie chats with Shari Corbett-Dwyer, Manager of Growmeez Communal Gardens, about an innovative approach to community gardening that transforms under-utilised private land into small, thriving spaces for growing healthy, spray-free kai 🥦🍆🌶️ We’ll explore how Growmeez supports people to learn, share and grow together, while building practical skills, reducing barriers to growing food and nurturing a stronger culture of kaitiakitanga.

Join Sophie Walker with Suzy Randall and Jenni Hammonds as they celebrate the launch of Taranaki Sustainable Trails 2026 🌱 Discover what's new this year, explore the brand-new web app, and find out how you can plan your own sustainable adventure across Taranaki. Visit www.sustainabletrails.org.nz for more details.

Join Sophie for a kōrero with Sustainable Taranaki's new Zero Waste Events and Education Manager, Sunita Torrance. Hear about Sunita's journey, the behind-the-scenes mahi that helps make Taranaki more sustainable, and how Zero Waste Events and education supports waste reduction, boosts recycling and composting, and care for our taiao.

What began with a single set of footprints on Ōakura Beach soon became a family-led conservation project helping to monitor and protect Kororā (little blue penguins) along the Taranaki coastline. In this episode Sophie talks with Edyta Materka about citizen science, kaitiakitanga, and how curiosity, connection to place, and community action can inspire us all to become guardians of te taiao.

Plastic Free July doesn't have to be perfect; it just starts with one swap. Join us as we explore easy ways to reduce single-use plastics, support local businesses, and look after our beautiful Taranaki environment. Expect practical ideas, plenty of laughs, and inspiration to make a difference.
Link to plastic free shopping in Taranaki: www.sustainabletaranaki.org.nz/news/zero-plastic-options-in-taranaki-our-interactive-map