Regular events
New volunteers
We are so grateful to all of our new and emerging volunteers who have signed up this year. Over two dozen of you turned up to become new Greenpeace volunteers since the March for Nature, which has been so encouraging to see.
If you have yet to make it out to one of our orientations, join us! If you are local to Auckland, we hold these in person. If you are spread throughout Aotearoa, they are online.
Email: [email protected] to sign-up today!
Greenpeace meetings
Our volunteer meetings have been an amazing time being updated on campaigns, spending time getting to know each other, and learning new skills.
If you have never been, join us in the new year. We meet on the first Thursday of the month in person at our office in Auckland. If you’re outside of Auckland or can’t meet in person, join us online!
Email: [email protected] for more info!
Basic Actions Training
Non-violent direct action (NVDA) is at the heart of Greenpeace campaigning. As such, every few months we invite involved volunteers, new staff, and other key coalition members to participate in our Basic Actions Training at our warehouse in Auckland.
The training covers introduction to direct actions and how Greenpeace uses this tactic in our campaigning. This past Labour Day weekend 20 people from all around Aotearoa joined us for a great time together learning.
Volunteer Spotlight
Hello, my name is Justin Marler.
I’ve been a Greenpeace supporter for many years through donations and always thought I could do more; could’ve, would’ve, should’ve, didn’t… The government’s announcement of its proposed Fast-track Approvals Bill provided the impetus for action, and when Greenpeace called for volunteers to support the March for Nature, I signed up. It was exhilarating to be amongst the huge crowd standing up against the ransacking of the legislation protecting our natural environment by a small bunch of cynical politicians.
Since the March, I have got more involved in volunteer activities, attending regular meetings, banner painting and supporting protest actions. Last month I was lucky enough to attend a three-day Basic Action Training workshop at Greenpeace, where I had a lot of fun, learned many valuable hands-on skills and gained a deeper appreciation for the organisation, and the diversity, energy, and passion of its people.
The Fast-Track to hell is paved with good intentions. Resist the coalition’s corrupt, anti-democratic, attempt to conscript the people of Aotearoa into their war on nature.
Get involved!
Boats on the water
Over the last six months, we have been working behind the scenes to get our Greenpeace Aotearoa boats seaworthy.
So we were thrilled to be able to get out on the water to support the hīkoi in Auckland and in Wellington.
Next year we plan to do more exciting things, so stay tuned and definitely reach out if you’d like to get more involved.
Campaigns in action
Deep sea mining
The last few months have been busy for the team, especially to do with stopping seabed mining.
Firstly, a group of volunteer activists locked down the office of Straterra. Straterra is the mining lobbyist group for Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) – the company aiming to be the first in the world to start deep sea mining. TTR want to start seabed mining right here in Aotearoa, off the coast of Taranaki.
Then a few weeks later another group of activists attended the annual general meeting for Manuka Resources, the Australian company that owns TTR. With them were respected representatives of Taranaki iwi Ngāti Ruanui.
Each time we had one singular message: ‘NO SEABEAD MINING!”
Agriculture
This last quarter we launched our campaign against Fonterra for their invasive dairy industry making Aotearoa’s the worst climate polluter.
Seven brave Greenpeace activists climbed the Te Rapa factory to unfurl two giant banners announcing a unified message saying, “Fonterra’s methane cooks the climate”.
A few weeks later another team of volunteer activists ensembled a giant puzzle outside of Fonterra’s Auckland office during their shareholders meeting. With an additional message calling on shareholders to divest in Fonterra because of their destructive use of palm kernel in their cattle feed.
Thanks for being part of Greenpeace Aotearoa!
If you have questions or would like more information, contact me at: [email protected]
