Networking for the environment
The networking for the environment project is a series of networking events for people working for environmentally focused organisations in Greater Christchurch. The objective of these events is to create a space for sharing experiences, resources and tips for running a community-based organisation.
Networking events
The objective of the day was to showcase two projects about gathering oral histories and stories. We encouraged people to think about their own stories and how to capture them. We reported back about our Long-Term Plan outcomes and decisions and highlighted opportunities for community groups.
Speaker topics
- What is in the Environment Canterbury LTP for Community Organisations- Vicky Southworth - What's in the LTP 2021-31 for community organisations, ECan Councillor Vicky Southworth (PDF File, 1.07MB)
- Environmental Leadership and Heritage of Canterbury- Diana Shand - Diana Shand Presentation Summary (PDF File, 168.45KB)
- Te Kāhui Tūao- Constellation of Volunteers project- Alison Bower
- Why do stories matter? How to collect, protect and share the information- Victoria Bliss - View 'Stories to Celebrate Victoria Bliss presentation (PDF File, 2.73MB)'
- Workshop: Telling the story of your organisation- Victoria, Natalie, and Kathleen
- What next- Opportunity to run workshop on subject with Heritage Unit- CCC- Victoria
12:30pm
Recorded podcasts
PlainsFM recorded the hui and created 2 half hour programmes that aired in the first week of July and are now available as podcasts entitled:
Listen to Environmental Leadership and Heritage of Christchurch project by Diane Shand.
Listen to collecting oral histories by Victoria Bliss.

Over 50 people attended.

Environmental Leadership and Heritage of Canterbury- Diana Shand.
Hui documents
The objective of the day was to provide a basic understanding of the Long-Term Plan (LTP) and encourage participants to engage with their local government through the submission process.
The LTP sets out the activities, priorities, and work programmes that Councils propose to deliver over the coming 10 years. It also outlines the costs and how they could be funded. A new Long-Term Plan is produced every three years, as required by the Local Government Act 2002.
Speaker topics
- The process of local government must follow.
- Hamish Rennie from Lincoln University talks about why it is important to make a submission and how to make an effective submission (PDF File, 284.31KB).
- What’s in the LTP that might be of interest to community groups with an environmental focus?
- Vicky Southworth from Environment Canterbury talks about our Long-Term Plan 2021-31 (PDF File, 1.09MB).
- Tony Moore and Katy McRae, Christchurch City Council (CCC), talk about CCC's Long-Term Plan and climate change (PDF File, 2.16MB).
- Andy Spanton, Selwyn District Council (SWD), talks about the Selwyn District Long-Term Plan (PDF File, 375.58KB).
- Kate Steel, Waimakariri District Council (WDC) talked about WDC Long-Term Plan.
The event had approximately 35 people. The event was recorded due to the risk of Covid level increase, but unfortunately, the sound quality is too poor to publish.

Katy McRae of CCC talking to the network about what happens to your submission once you hit the send button.
Hui documents
The objective of the day was to learn about the funding opportunities that are currently available, what’s on the horizon and explore the idea of collaborative projects to strengthen prospect of success.
The event was well attended, with 50+ participants from a diversity of community organisations across greater Christchurch.
- Funding and Future Thinking hui summary notes 21 Oct 2020 (Office Open XML Document, 688.08KB)
- Funding and Future Thinking hui agenda 21 Oct 2020 (Office Open XML Document, 33.45KB)
Notes from some of the Panel Participants
- Funding and Future Thinking hui - Kelly Bisset Quick tips for funding applications, MfE (Office Open XML Document, 31.79KB)
- Funding and Future Thinking hui - Online resources list 2020 from MFE (PNG File, 115.26KB)
- Funding and Future Thinking hui - Clayton Wallwork, One Billion Trees (1BT) Fund MPI (PPTX File, 6.5MB)
- Funding and Future Thinking hui - Lan Pham Strategic Direction 2020, ECan (PPTX File, 6.99MB)
- Funding and Future Thinking hui - Maryanne Lomax Community Boards, CCC (PPTX File, 1.28MB)
Websites from Community Organisations of Panel Participants
- Ministry for the Environment - Funding
- Ministry for the Environment - Funding other government departments
- Ministry for Primary Industries
- One Billion Trees Fund enquiries: email 1bt@mpi.govt.nz
- Emissions Trading Scheme enquiries: email climatechange@mpi.govt.nz
- Lucas Associates
- Lucas Associates - Christchurch ecosystems: four land types or ecosystems of the city
Photos from the event
Topic: Communicate, Collaborate, and co-create?
This hui provided a chance for people from diverse groups and ages to talk together, find common ground and explore possible opportunities for collaborative actions, coalescing around such issues as climate change, biodiversity restoration, or influencing change via social media.
- Intergenerational hui Summary Notes 03 Sept 2020 (PDF File, 140.3KB)
- Intergenerational hui Runsheet 03 Sept 2020 (PDF File, 150.36KB)
- Intergenerational hui panel - ECan Youth Rōpū 3 Sept 2020 (PDF File, 90.95KB)
- Intergenerational hui panel - Stacey Young OHRN 3 Sept 2020 (PDF File, 116.36KB)
- Intergenerational hui panel - Colleen Philip SOC 3 Sept 2020 (PDF File, 136.9KB)
- Intergenerational hui panel - Scott Butcher AŌFP 3 Sept 2020 (PDF File, 107.91KB)
Websites from Community Organisations of Panel Participants
- Environment Canterbury Youth Rōpū
- School Strike 4 Climate Change
- Youth Forest & Bird
- Global Shapers
- Ōpawaho Heathcote River Network
- Sustainable Ōtautahi Christchurch
- Christchurch Enviro Hub
- Avon-Ōtakaro Forest Park
Photos from the event
This hui was held on 25th November 2019 at the Christchurch Botanic Garden.
Approximately 30 people attended.
The purpose of the hui was to start to capture the stories of the individuals and community organisations in the environmental sector. Participants worked in small groups and talked about key insights from their work, and explored the question “Why is this work important to you?” Their answers were then the nuggets of wisdom that are represented on the canvas as the Matariki Stars in both words and images.
We will keep building our story with the goal of having a multi-media presentation that shows the collective impact of the environmental movement (past, present and future). This presentation will be shared with our communities, local and regional councils and visitors to this beautiful place we call home in 2020.
- Networking for the environment Hui 9 Agenda (PDF File, 168.07KB)
- Networking for the environment Hui 9 Presentation on Review of 2019 and where to in 2020 (PDF File, 3.13MB)
- Networking for the environment Hui 9 Interactive session Post-it notes (PDF File, 252.57KB)
- Networking for the environment Hui 9 I am the Restless Forest, a story by Sarah Mankelow Christchurch City Council (CCC) (PDF File, 1.15MB)
- Networking for the environment Hui 9 Story-telling Presentation by Sarah Mankelow Christchurch City Council (CCC) (PDF File, 1.04MB)
- Networking for the environment Hui 9 Te kāhui tūao Matariki Canvas back story (PDF File, 499.91KB)

We had a great session with approx. 16 representatives from community organisations. These notes summarize the feedback and discussion that took place and not the information presented.
- Networking for the environment- IT Summary Notes 21 June 2019 (PDF File, 1.33MB)
- Networking for the environment- Infoxchange Presentation 21 June 2019 (PDF File, 1.6MB)
We will take the information provided and develop a series of workshops/trainings to be offered throughout the coming year.
Outcomes
The hui on 5 December 2018, was about celebrating our constellation of volunteers - Te kāhui tūao - and in recognition of the UN International Volunteer Day.
- Invite 5 December 2018 (PDF File, 352.62KB)
- Volunteering Summary Notes 5 Dec 2018 (PDF File, 359.22KB)
- Volunteering, Ōpāwaho Heathcote Tour map (PDF File, 7.27MB)
Related documents
- Volunteering- CCC Councillor Sara Templeton (PDF File, 4.98MB)
- Volunteering survey responses (PDF File, 1.09MB)
- Our Journey and where to next in 2019 (PDF File, 3.11MB)
- Volunteering Talk by Glenda of Volunteering Canterbury (PDF File, 139.64KB)
- Volunteering Talk by Chloe of Student Volunteer Army (PDF File, 222.42KB)
- Volunteering Presentation by Student Volunteer Army (PDF File, 2.98MB)
Outcomes
The kaupapa of all Networking for the environment hui is to share knowledge and ideas. This Future of Funding II event was the second in a series about funding from non-traditional sources Crowdfunding (a project or venture) works by raising money from many people who each contribute a relatively small amount, typically via the Internet.
A challenge put to the 50+ participants was to think about their organisation and how they are currently funded and if this might be an option to incorporate into their funding strategy.
The objective of this session was to learn about crowdfunding from the experts at Givealittle and Million Metres Streams Project.
Related documents
- Givealittle - by Lynne Le Gros – General Manager, Spark Foundation
- Million Metres Streams Project - by Alaina Pomeroy- Project Coordinator, Sustainable Business Network
- Crowdfunding - Summary notes
- Agenda and Invite
- Networking for the environment Engaging with government-Expo summary notes 9 March 2018 (PDF File, 244.69KB)
- Networking for the environment Engaging with government- Expo Contact List 9 March 2018 (PDF File, 131.81KB)
- Networking for the Environment Engaging with government- Expo Invite 9 March 2018 (PDF File, 1.21MB)
View presentations
Invite and agenda
The programme of the day will include talks about working smarter, goal settings and optional walking tours.
View the Networking for the Environment invite Event - 26 October 2017 (PDF File, 216.38KB)
Outcomes
The fourth and final networking event for 2017 was held on 26th of October at the Mt. Pleasant Community Centre. The event was generously hosted by Avon Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust (AHEIT) and attended by 35 people representing community based/Third Sector Organisations (TSO), government agencies and philanthropic organisations.
The topic for the day was “Sharing knowledge and lessons learned” with the objective of sharing tips for working smarter to reduce administrative burden. Big Thanks to Bill Simpson and Tanya Jenkins of AHEIT, Harald Breiding-Buss of Christchurch Community Accounting (CCA), Olivia Smith, Chrissie Williams and Shelley Washington of Environment Canterbury for their contributions.
Presentations:
- Avon Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust Talk 26th October 2017 (PDF File, 2.65MB)
- Financially Smart Talk 26th October 2017 (PDF File, 523.96KB)
- Setting Meaningful Goals Talk 26 October 2017 (PDF File, 1.41MB)
Related documents:
- Example 2050 Ecological Vision for Banks Peninsula including Port Hills - July 2017 (PDF File, 1.17MB)
- Example OHRN Action Plan 2016 (PDF File, 134.89KB)
- Example CSCG Action Plan 2014 (PDF File, 715.08KB)
- Styx River Living Laboratory Trust - Vision and actions
- Avon-Ōtākaro Network - Current strategy
Invite and agenda
The day will focus on two topics:
- Waterways Partnership - A proposed programme of behaviour change, education and awareness to improve water quality, waterway health and water use in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.
- Social enterprise - Exploring models and approaches
View the Networking for the environment invite Event - 3 August 2017 (PDF File, 203.67KB).
Outcomes
The third networking event was held on 3 August 2017 at Te Hāpua, the Halswell Service Centre in Christchurch. The event was well attended with 52 people representing community based/Third Sector Organisations (TSO), government agencies and philanthropic organisations.
The topic for the day was “The future of funding” with the objective of providing participants the opportunity to learn, discuss and explore different funding models from government grants to social enterprise. Big Thanks to Olivia Smith (ECan) for facilitating the day, Clive Appleton (CCC) and Alex Hannant (Ākina) for presenting, Brenda Greene (CCC), Shelley Washington (ECan) and Adrienne Lomax (ECan –former WET) for their ongoing support.
Here are the links to related documents:
- Networking for the Environment Event 3- Summary Notes-3 August 2017
- Social Enterprise Models and Approaches by Alex Hannant Ākina 3 August 2017
- Community Group notes from Waterways Partnership workshop 3 August 2017
Invite and agenda
We have developed this programme in response to your feedback from our November event.
View the Networking for the Environment Agenda (PDF File, 300.36KB) and Networking for the Environment Invite (JPEG image, 1.03MB).
View the Christchurch Enviro Hub Proposal 20 March 2017
View the Networking for the Environment Summary Notes and Comments 4 April 2017
Our inaugural event was attended by over 60 people representing community based organisations, government agencies and philanthropic organisations.
Invite and agenda
View the Networking for the Environment Invite (PDF File, 1.05MB) and Networking for the Environment Agenda (PDF File, 180.55KB).
The day focussed on sharing resources and information for linking with government, liaising with Iwi and capturing the collective knowledge of the group in an open and friendly environment. Participation by government agencies, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Rata Foundation enabled one-on-one conversations with funders, as well as group discussions on how to improve communication between the various sectors. Here are the handouts provided:
- Christchurch City Council information (PDF File, 363.73KB)
- Department Of Conservation information (PDF File, 488.02KB)
- Department of Internal Affairs information (PDF File, 357.79KB)
- Environment Canterbury information (PDF File, 302.54KB)
- Rata Foundation information (PDF File, 622.25KB)
- Selwyn District Council
- Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu information (PDF File, 492.36KB)
- Waimakariri District Council
- Letter template to Runanga for use by TSO
Outcomes
One of the biggest benefits of the day was the opportunity to connect with colleagues and peers, according to feedback from participants.
The group identified access to technical information, people and resources including funding as common issues. They agreed that continued conversation is welcomed and future events are needed.
Here are the links to our summary notes document and post it session comments.
The idea of creating an ECO-hub or “bumping space” for people to interact on an informal, ongoing basis was the most cited suggestion from the day. This is a great concept and needs to be developed further. Please email Alison.bower@ecan.govt.nz if you have ideas on how to progress it and would like to be involved.
Workshops

Henrietta Hall of Infoxchange & 'Stay '
Activities in the workshop included:
- Each organisation assessing their capability with technology
- Identifying common issues and opportunities
- Starting to populate the IT plan
- Tailoring common recommendations such as safeguarding the organisation, and consolidating email and file sharing
Continued own work on the plan with additional content provided including:
- Technology training
- Online presence
- Identifying admin and comms roles
- Collecting the right stories and information for stakeholders
1:1 follow-up session with each organisation:
- Working through the draft IT plan discussing priorities, offering advice and answering questions
- Helping with custom recommendations
- Supplying further resources to support the plan
If you would like more information about the workshop, please contact Henrietta Hall at hhall@infoxchange.org.
Feedback from a participant:
“For small NFPs these sorts of collegial training days are just invaluable, for not only do we receive really expert training in areas we are lacking in, but we also get to network and learn from each other. When your office team is all or mostly volunteers, and small, these opportunities are gold.” Linda, Keep Christchurch Beautiful
Communications Planning workshops were held 12 August and 5 September 2019 at Environment Canterbury.
The trainers Erin, Sophie and Rob are part of the team at Narrative Campaign and they did a great job of helping 18 groups find their voice and build a communications plan/strategy for their organisations.
View the planning workshop presentation (PDF File, 3.66MB).
Topics covered:
- Overarching calendar planning
- Tailoring target audiences
- Choosing and evaluating platforms
- Development of an editorial calendar
- Reporting templates
1:1 Follow-up session with interested participants:
- Working through any and all arising questions
- Diving into more detail relevant to each organisation for their respective Comms plans
- Examples relevant to their work
- Discussion around particular opportunities
- List of recommendations and examples as required
If you would like more information about the workshop and/or materials provided, please contact Erin Jackson at erin@narrativecampaigns.com
Feedback from a participant:
“The workshop was useful, practical and an opportunity to tap into the different skills of the Narrative Campaign people. It was a fast pace; however, the content was spot on and what we needed. The one-on-one session was even better with Erin. This was a chance to ‘to-and-fro’ and build on ideas with her. I’d rate this session very highly.” Rachel, OHRN
Workshop summary - 25 March 2019
The Fundraising 101 workshop held on 25 March 2019 at the beautiful Tūranga- Central Library was a big success.
Over thirty people heard first-hand from presenters, Kate Russell, ONZM, FFINZ, Programmes, and Partnerships Manager Parks CCC and Sue Marshall- Specialist Grant Writer, SPCA, on what makes a compelling grant application.
Participants examined their current fundraising practices and learned practical tips to help increase their fundraising success.
Topics included:
- special events
- sponsorship and donor care
Feedback from a participant:
“…that was a very useful workshop and I picked up plenty of useful gems, I certainly gave my arm a good workout as I was frantically writing everything down. I also thought Kate and Sue were skilful speakers who managed to keep everyone captivated…” — Hamish - Conservation Volunteers.
Related documents
- Agenda Fundraising 101 Workshop (Office Open XML Document, 669.25KB)
- Fundraising 101 - Presentation Kate Russel & Su Marshall (PDF File, 1.39MB)