EcoMatters Environment Trust

Waiatarua Weed Bin Weekend
2026-01-17 08:00 - 2026-01-18 17:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Waiatarua Community Hall Carpark, 911 West Coast Road, Waiatarua, Auckland, Auckland, 0604, New Zealand
Got invasive weeds? Live close to the Waitākere Ranges? Get rid of them at your local community weed bin.
Bins will be onsite from Saturday 8am, and an EcoMatters team member will be there to provide weed advice Saturday 9am-3pm.
To find out is and isn’t accepted, and when and where to find the bins, visit ecomatters.org.nz/weedbins
Funded by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board and supported by Auckland Council.

Fruitvale Stream Clean Up - CANCELLED
2026-01-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Matangirua/Chettle Reserve, New Lynn, Auckland, 0600
23 Jan 26 Update – Unfortunately, we’ve had to cancel the stream clean up event. Please keep an eye out for future events. Ngā mihi nui.
Come along and help save Scroggy Stream from rubbish and invasive weeds at this community stream clean up. It’s our first step in transforming this stream into a haven for native birds and critters, and ensuring it flows well during changeable weather.

Kids welcome but must be supervised. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are required, and gardening gloves, a rain jacket and a sun hat are advised.

Supported by the Whau Local Board and Auckland Council Healthy Waters.

Sunnyvale Stream Care Session
2026-01-31 10:00 - 12:30, 2026-03-28 10:00 - 12:30 | 18 Sunnyside Rd, Sunnyvale, 18 Sunnyside Road, Sunnyvale, Auckland, 0612
Nau mai, haere mai! Come along and show some love to the Sunnyside Stream in Sunnyvale. We’ll remove some gnarly invasive weeds from around the young plants and clean up any rubbish.
Be a part of transforming this stream into a thriving awa that flows well in changeable weather, is more resilient in heavy rain and drought.
We finish by sharing food at the end of our mahi.
Please bring sunscreen, a hat and rain jacket if you have one, and wear sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots. Kids must be accompanied by supervising adults.
Questions? Email alanah@ecomatters.org.nz or text 021 308 268.
This event is hosted by Sunnyvale Awa Neighbours and EcoMatters, and supported by the Henderson-Massey Local Board.

Pest Plant Roadshow at Matuku Link
2026-02-01 10:00 - 15:00 | Matuku Link, 111 Bethells Road, Waitākere, 0781, New Zealand
Want to find out which weeds you should bin, bag or put in a barrel? The EcoMatters Nature Team will be at the World Wetlands Day at Matuku Link to give advice and answer any questions you have about pest plants.

Come along to chat about how to identify invasive weeds, best practises for keeping kauri safe while caring for the bush, and free services available to support you.

Brought to you by EcoMatters and supported by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board and Auckland Council.

Every Bite - Cook with Confidence
2026-02-04 17:30 - 20:00 | The Chapel – Te Atatū, 75 Beach Road, Te Atatū Peninsula, Auckland, Auckland, Auckland, 0610, New Zealand
Featuring The Wholefood Kitchen’s Kevin Helas
Join us to learn simple and delicious ideas to make your kai go further and save money. We’re hosting Every Bite in West Auckland – a four week programme that is designed to help your household become more food resourceful, with the goal of helping reduce food waste right across Aotearoa.
For our Every Bite launch, we’re partnering with Kevin Helas, founder of The Wholefood Kitchen, for an evening of kai and kōrero, all focused on helping you become more confident in the kitchen.
What to expect
This is a four week programme, which includes two in-person sessions, and a chance to stay connected digitally, to share ideas and celebrate wins. We’ll be giving away prizes and resources along the way too.
Launch event
We start with a special event from 5.30pm on Wednesday 4 February at The Chapel (corner of Beach and Wapani Roads) in Te Atatū Peninsula.
At our launch event, you will:

learn more about Every Bite and how it can help you
get involved in the live cooking demonstration
share the kai being prepared on the night
get tips and tricks from Kevin Helas, our wholefood chef guest host, so you feel more confident in the kitchen
connect with like-minded people who want to make their kai go further and save money.

Stay connected
We’ll keep you motivated and share more tips and tricks over the following two weeks, then come together again in person during the last week of the programme.
Sign up today!
Save money, reduce waste, meet like-minded people and have fun! Spaces are limited, so please book your spot today.
To make this event as accessible as possible, you can choose a ticket price that suits your financial situation. There’s also the option to bring a friend for free.
About Kevin Helas and The Wholefood Kitchen
Kevin Helas founded The Wholefood Kitchen to offer a space for people to gain confidence and competence in the kitchen, leading to greater freedom and enjoyment in their relationship with food and cooking. It also offers an invitation to connect with oneself, with the Earth, and with Community, in the spirit of Kotahitanga (one-ness, wholeness, unity).

Green Bay Stream Care Session
2026-02-13 09:30 - 12:00 | Bridge on Portage Road, opposite Suburbs Rugby Club, 130 Portage Road, New Lynn, Auckland
Come along to save the Waitahurangi Awa from pest plants and rubbish, and to help this stream that flows through Titirangi Golf Club to thrive. We’ll be meeting at the bridge opposite Suburbs Rugby Club, 130 Portage Road, New Lynn.

Gumboots or closed-toe, sturdy footwear is essential. Please bring a hat, rain jacket and gardening gloves if you have any (some gloves will be provided). Kids welcome but must be accompanied by a supervising adult.

Supported by EcoMatters and Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters department.

Questions? Email pamela@ecomatters.org.nz.

Glen Eden Weed Bin Weekend
2026-02-14 08:00 - 2026-02-15 17:00 | Konini Primary School, 44 Withers Road, Glen Eden, Auckland, Auckland, 0602, New Zealand

Huia Weed Bin Weekend
2026-02-14 08:00 - 2026-02-15 17:00, 2026-03-07 08:00 - 2026-03-08 17:00 | Huia Domain Carpark, Huia Road, Huia, Auckland, Auckland, 0604, New Zealand

Titirangi Weed Bin Weekend
2026-02-14 08:00 - 2026-02-15 17:00 | Zig Zag Track, Atkinson Park, Park Road, Auckland, New Zealand

Banana Plant Sale
2026-02-22 10:30 - 12:30 | EcoMatters, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn, Auckland, 0600, New Zealand
This plant sale is bananas!
We’ve got a selection of beautiful banana pups (young banana plants), grown with love in our community gardens and nourished by compost from our Second Bite initiative.
If you’ve ever wanted to grow your own bananas, this is your chance — pop along and pick up a pup of your own.
We’re selling Misi Luki (Musa acuminata hybrid), a white-fleshed Lady Finger banana, originating in Samoa. This variety is perfect for backyard growing, reaching three to four metres tall and producing short, fat, deliciously sweet bananas.
Bananas love to be well-fed and watered. Plant yours in a sunny, sheltered spot and in around 18 months you’ll start enjoying your own home-grown harvest.
Cash and EFTPOS available — but hurry, banana plant numbers are limited! Every pup you buy helps support our local environmental work.

Sunnyvale Stream Spruce Up
2026-02-28 10:00 - 12:30 | 58 Awaroa Road, 58 Awaroa Road, Sunnyvale
Nau mai, haere mai! Come along and show some love to the Waari Stream in Sunnyvale. We’ll remove some gnarly invasive weeds from around the young plants and clean up any rubbish.

Be a part of transforming this stream into a thriving awa that flows well in changeable weather, is more resilient in heavy rain and drought.

We finish by sharing food at the end of our mahi.

Please bring sunscreen, a hat and rain jacket if you have one, and wear sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots. Kids must be accompanied by supervising adults.

Questions? Email alanah@ecomatters.org.nz or text 021 308 268.

This event is hosted by Sunnyvale Awa Neighbours and EcoMatters, and supported by the Henderson-Massey Local Board.

Green Bay Stream Care Session
2026-03-06 09:30 - 12:00, 2026-03-27 09:30 - 12:00 | Bridge on Portage Road, opposite Suburbs Rugby Club, 130 Portage Road, New Lynn, Auckland
Come along to save the Waitahurangi Awa from pest plants and rubbish, and to help this stream that flows through Titirangi Golf Club to thrive. We’ll be meeting at the bridge opposite Suburbs Rugby Club, 130 Portage Road, New Lynn.

Gumboots or closed-toe, sturdy footwear is essential. Please bring a hat, rain jacket and gardening gloves if you have any (some gloves will be provided). Kids welcome but must be accompanied by a supervising adult.

Supported by EcoMatters and Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters department.

Questions? Email pamela@ecomatters.org.nz.
This event is part of EcoFest 2026 — a month-long, community-powered festival celebrating nature, sustainable living and everyday climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau. Discover practical ideas, inspiring events and ways to deepen your learning at ecofest.org.nz.

Te Henga Weed Bin Weekend
2026-03-07 08:00 - 2026-03-08 17:00 | Pae o Te Rangi Regional Park, 114 Te Henga Road, Waitākere, Auckland, 0781, New Zealand

Swanson Weed Bin Weekend
2026-03-07 09:00 - 2026-03-08 16:00 | Central Landscape Supplies Swanson, 598 Swanson Road, Swanson, Auckland, Auckland, 0612, New Zealand
Got invasive weeds? Live close to the Waitākere Ranges? Get rid of them at your local community weed bin.
The Swanson weed bin is accessible during Central Landscape & Garden Supplies open hours, 9am-4pm.
Bins will be onsite from Saturday 9am, and an EcoMatters team member will be there to provide weed advice Saturday 9am-3pm.
To find out is and isn’t accepted, and when and where to find the bins, visit ecomatters.org.nz/weedbins
Funded by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board and supported by Auckland Council.

Waikūmete Stream Clean Up
2026-03-07 09:30 - 12:00 | 72 Savoy Road, Glen Eden (Glen Eden Cycleway), 72 Savoy Road, Glen Eden
Join us and show a bit of love for the Waikūmete Stream, which runs along the cycle pathway between Savoy Road and Inver Street. We’ll be removing rubbish and getting the stream ready for planting in the winter.

Please wear sturdy closed-toe shoes or gumboots, and bring a hat, rain jacket and gardening gloves if you have any (some gloves will be provided). Kids must be accompanied by supervising adults.
This event is hosted by EcoMatters and supported by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board through Project Twin Streams.
This is part of Project Twin Streams, and supported by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board.

DIY Rainwater Harvesting with Laurie Dee
2026-03-08 10:30 - 13:00 | EcoMatters, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn, Auckland, 0600, New Zealand
It falls! It’s free! Catch it while you can!
There’s never a better time than the present to learn how to collect rainwater.

Join rainwater harvesting guru and multi-talented inventor Laurie Dee who will take you through how to build your own rain barrel collection system.
Find out how to calculate how much rainwater your roof could capture; all about water dynamics; Council regulations for larger systems and other frequently asked questions.
After a quick break we’ll have a practical session where you’ll get your barrel drilled* and ready for set up at your place.

Join the rain harvesting club to start saving water and reducing your water bills!
* NB. EcoMatters has limited numbers of rain barrels and kits which can be purchased on the day.

For more water-saving advice, including our DIY online water use check, please visit our website.
If you can’t make it to this in-person workshop, you can access a pre-recorded Introduction to DIY Rain Harvesting video workshop for a small fee online here.

Waimoko Glen Stream Care Session
2026-03-14 10:00 - 12:30 | 24A Waimoko Glen, Swanson, Auckland 0612, 24A Waimoko Glen, Swanson, Auckland, 0612
Nau mai, haere mai! Come and help save the Waimoko and Waiwhauwhaupaku (Swanson) Streams from rubbish and invasive weeds. Together, we’ll transform these streams into thriving awa that flow well to the sea, and provide a safe habitat for native birds and fish.
Bring a hat, rain jacket and gardening gloves if you have any, and wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Kids welcome but must be supervised.
Hosted by Waimoko Glen neighbours and EcoMatters, and supported by the Henderson-Massey Local Board.
Want to keep in the loop with updates about these streams? Email alanah@ecomatters.org.nz.

Henderson-Massey Moth Plant Competition
2026-03-15 08:00 - 2026-05-24 17:00 | Online
The Henderson-Massey Moth Plant Competition is a fun, family-friendly competition that is all about getting rid of moth plant in your neighbourhood.
There are over $1000 worth of prizes for teams collecting pods and removing vines, and individuals designing posters.
To enter, you or at least one of your team members has to live, work or go to school in the Henderson-Massey Local Board area. The Moth Plant Competition runs from Saturday 15 March to Sunday 24 May 2026 (now extended). Register your team now.
For more information on the Moth Plant Competition plus the catagories and prizes. Click here.
The Moth Plant Competition is inspired by similar challenges run by Pest Free Howick Ward, Ōtara Waterways and Lake Trust, and Sandringham Project in Community Empowerment (SPiCE). Thank you to the Henderson-Massey Local Board for supporting this competition.
This event is part of EcoFest 2026 — a month-long, community-powered festival celebrating nature, sustainable living and everyday climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau. Discover practical ideas, inspiring events and ways to deepen your learning at ecofest.org.nz.

Organic Gardening Sessions
2026-03-20 11:00 - 14:00 | EcoMatters, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn, Auckland, 0600, New Zealand
Get involved with myriad seasonal organic gardening activities. You’ll learn about seed sowing and collection, propagation, growing veggies and herbs, managing a pollinator garden, pruning an established food forest, and building healthy soil. You can even share in the harvest. Bring a pair of sharp secateurs if you have them and dress for any weather including a sturdy pair of enclosed shoes or boots, gloves, hat plus your drink bottle and lunch.
Confirm with Meg: meg@ecomatters.org.nz

Moth Plant Pod Drop and Learn at Massey Matters Neighbours Day
2026-03-21 10:00 - 13:00 | Royal Reserve, 11 Carnelian Court, Massey, Auckland, 0614
Join us at Massey Matters Neighbours Day and learn about the Henderson-Massey Moth Plant Competition – a fun, family-friendly event aimed at eliminating moth plant from our neighbourhoods. There are over $1000 in prizes for teams collecting pods and removing vines, as well as for individuals designing posters. Drop by anytime to chat with the EcoMatters Nature team, drop off your pods, or ask for advice on dealing with environmental weeds.

All questions are welcome. If you need a sack for pod collection or have any queries, contact Mel at mothplantcomp@ecomatters.org.nz
Thank you to the Henderson-Massey Local Board for supporting this competition

Fruitvale Stream Care Session
2026-03-22 10:00 - 12:30 | Matangirua/Chettle Reserve, New Lynn, Auckland, 0600
Nau mai, haere mai! Join us at Scroggy Stream and help us with some mulching so we can get it ready for planting.
We’ll be working in Matangirua/Chettle Reserve, close to Bunnings Warehouse, New Lynn. It’s our first step in transforming this stream into a haven for native birds and critters, and ensuring it flows well during changeable weather.

Kids welcome but must be supervised. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are required, and gardening gloves, a rain jacket and a sun hat are advised. We’ll finish with some kai together at the end.

Supported by Auckland Council Healthy Waters and the Whau Local Board.

Native Seedling Sessions
2026-03-25 10:00 - 12:00 | EcoMatters, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn, Auckland, 0600, New Zealand
Come and get hands on at the EcoMatters native plant nursery! Seedling Sessions are a regular volunteer session where you’ll help care for and grow native plants that support local restoration projects.
Each Wednesday we spend time pricking out and potting up seedlings, sowing seeds, washing pots, weeding and pitching in with other tasks around the nursery.
Closed-toe, sturdy footwear is essential. Please bring a hat, rain jacket and gardening gloves if you have any (some gloves will be provided).
Questions? Email eve@ecomatters.org.nz
This event is part of EcoFest 2026 — a month-long, community-powered festival celebrating nature, sustainable living and everyday climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau. Discover practical ideas, inspiring events and ways to deepen your learning at ecofest.org.nz.

Mornings by the stream in Glen Eden
2026-03-26 08:00 - 2026-04-16 11:00 | Glen Eden Streams – TBC – varies each day, Glen Eden
Join EcoMatters stream rangers Pam and Alanah as we care for one of the beautiful waterways in the heart of Glen Eden. As well as learning about the environmental restoration of our streams, you’ll get to work alongside others who want to see nature thrive.
This is a great way to make community connections, while enjoying our hidden natural gems. You can come for as long as you like.
Wear sturdy shoes and bring gardening gloves if you have any.
RSVP to find out where you’ll be meeting each day –
For Wednesdays, RSVP to pamela@ecomatters.org.nz
For Thursdays, RSVP to alanah@ecomatters.org.nz
Note: Over the Summer period the Thursday sessions will run at the earlier time, 8-11am.
Please note there is no Mornings by the Stream on 23rd April.
This is part of Project Twin Streams, and supported by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board.
This event is part of EcoFest 2026 — a month-long, community-powered festival celebrating nature, sustainable living and everyday climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau. Discover practical ideas, inspiring events and ways to deepen your learning at ecofest.org.nz.

Different Dinners
2026-03-26 15:00 - 2026-03-28 19:00 | EcoMatters, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn, Auckland, 0600, New Zealand
Try simple and tasty plant-powered dinners!
Are you interested in cooking plant-based meals but not sure where to start? Looking for inspiration to change your usual recipes? Join our Different Dinners project and learn how to make simple and affordable vegetarian meals.

This free programme invites you and your whānau to explore the delicious possibilities of plant-powered meals, promising an adventure for your taste buds and a step towards a more sustainable and healthier lifestyle.
How it works:

Sign up to join the programme
Pick up your free goodie box with hero ingredients and recipe booklet
Cook at least four recipes across four weeks
Share your experience and go in the draw to win prizes!
Complete the challenge to receive a $15 EcoMatters Store voucher

The programme is free to take part in, but registration through Humanitix is essential, to get a free ingredient box and recipes. You’ll be given a choice of pick up times and dates when you register.

Native Planting Workshop at Ranui Library - CANCELLED
2026-03-26 16:00 - 17:00 | Rānui Library, 431 Swanson Road, Ranui, Auckland
26/03 – Sorry this event is cancelled due to the weather, check back to see a new date soon.
Join the Ranui Library for a whānau friendly native planting workshop and kōrero with Alanah and Eve from EcoMatters. Learn about local native plants, why they matter, and how planting supports our whenua and waterways. A great way for whānau to learn, connect, and grow together. You’ll even get to take a native plant seedling home to plant in your own garden.
Spaces are limited so make sure you register via the link while you can. This event is suitable for all ages (10+).
Supported by the Henderson-Massey Local Board.
This event is part of EcoFest 2026 — a month-long, community-powered festival celebrating nature, sustainable living and everyday climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau. Discover practical ideas, inspiring events and ways to deepen your learning at ecofest.org.nz.

Saving Auckland's Heritage Fruit Trees: Healthy Soil, Healthy Trees
2026-03-28 10:30 - 12:30 | EcoMatters, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn, Auckland, 0600, New Zealand
Learn practical ways you can support food trees and resilient green spaces in your own neighbourhood.
Join Savannah Carter-Green (Kai Rākau Project),
Matthew Priestley (Brotherwood),
and David Stejskal (Auckland Council Urban Forest, Arboriculture and Ecology team)
for a session exploring two connected streams of their work:

the ‘Kai Rākau Food Tree Project’ a living library of heritage fruit trees, sub-tropical food trees and rongoā species, and…
the collaborative programme protecting historic orchard remnants across the Upper Harbour

Hear how these significant trees have been located, rescued and cared for; why they matter culturally, historically and environmentally; and how community partnerships are helping them thrive.
Learn how soil structure, compaction and low carbon levels affect fruit-tree health.
Discover practical solutions with simple indicators to assess soil improvement over time.
Proceeds from this workshop will help support the Kai Rākau Food Tree Project
ABOUT
Savannah Carter-Green is the founder of the Kai Rākau Project (est. 2010) under the umbrella of the Sustainable Paremoremo Charitable Trust. She leads the creation of a living library of heritage food trees, rare subtropicals, and rongoā rākau across 3.5 acres within the 100-acre Sanders Reserve.
Matthew Priestley is the director of Brotherwood Ltd and leads the soil-health and orchard-restoration work for Auckland Council’s heritage fruit-tree programme.
David Stejskal Urban Forest, Arboriculture and Ecology Manager, Auckland Council
David leads Auckland Council’s Urban Forest, Arboriculture and Ecology team, a group of specialists focused on caring for the region’s trees, green spaces and ecological systems.
This event is part of EcoFest 2026 — a month-long, community-powered festival celebrating nature, sustainable living and everyday climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau. Discover practical ideas, inspiring events and ways to deepen your learning at ecofest.org.nz.

Practical Methods To Propagate Fruit Trees
2026-03-28 13:30 - 15:00 | EcoMatters, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn, Auckland, 0600, New Zealand
Explore two ways of propagating fruit trees in this hands-on session with experienced gardener Ben Cheah, held in the EcoMatters Organic Teaching Garden.
Together, we’ll go through the steps of chip budding (grafting a growth bud to a rootstock) and marcotting (growing roots on a stem while the stem’s still attached to the parent plant).
These simple, powerful and low-cost propagation techniques are ideal for plants that are not dormant — including tropical fruit trees, citrus, and temperate fruit trees that are actively growing in summer to early autumn. Discover how to grow new fruit trees in your community, using these cost effective methods.
ABOUT
Ben grew up in a tropical orchard in Malaysia and is an avid amateur gardener. He has taught Tropical Agriculture in Malaysian schools.
With wide experience and diplomas in Horticulture and also Permaculture Design, he has often been called to give talks and workshops for garden clubs and community gardens.

Photo credits: Ben Cheah (main);
123RF (fruit photos – apples and figs)
This event is part of EcoFest 2026 — a month-long, community-powered festival celebrating nature, sustainable living and everyday climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau. Discover practical ideas, inspiring events and ways to deepen your learning at ecofest.org.nz.
