Kia ora e hoa mā,

What a turbulent time the world is going through, with the US-Israel led ,war on Iran. Behind the guises of supporting Iranian pro-democracy protesters to defending against an imminent Iranian nuclear strike, we know that the war is driven by the US military complex and thirst for oil, along with Israel’s ambition to becoming the Middle East’s supreme power. Indeed, if Iran was not oil-rich and strategically situated on the Strait of Hormuz, would the US and Israel care what the regime was doing? Despite the apparent cruelty of the Iranian regime, the war is demonstrably illegal under international law. That doesn’t seem to have been recognised by our government, at least not in their public commentary. Whatever happened to Aotearoa’s independent voice? As of the 5^th March, casualty count amounted to nearly 2,000 across the region including 180 Iranian school children killed or maimed for life, with no end in sight.

In such a troubled time, we need to remain steadfast on our values and show our solidarity and support for the oppressed and for what is right and just. We need to know the facts, ‘inoculate’ ourselves against misinformation and learn how to communicate effectively across divides, with openness, empathy and respect. Together we work to depolarise and grow peace.

Ora Taiao Ora Tangata Community Climate Fresk Workshops

Climate Fresk workshops are designed to help us understand the causes and ramifications of climate change, and to inspire action. Watch this short engaging new video.

Thanks again to Toi Foundation, we are bringing to you another series of workshops across Taranaki between now and May.

27^th March, Friday (9:30am – 12:30pm) – WAITARA LIBRARY 

18^th April, Saturday (9:30am – 12:30pm) – TOI FOUNDATION ROOMS, New Plymouth

22^nd April, Wednesday (9:30am – 12:30pm) – HĀWERA LIBRARY 

9^th May, Saturday (9:30am – 12:30pm) – HĀWERA LIBRARY 

15^th May, Friday (9:30am – 12:30pm) – INGLEWOOD LIBRARY 

21^st May, Thursday (5:30 – 8:30pm) – TOI FOUNDATION ROOMS,New Plymouth

Registration here.  If none of the above times suit, please get in touch because we accept requests for workshops. Our trained facilitators can tailor-run a workshop for you, your friends, whānau, neighbours or workmates!

Save the Ministry for the Environment

The government wants to dissolve the Ministry for the Environment and have a new mega Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport. This would further weaken the almost inaudible voice for the environment within government. This has already been severely weakened by a sweep of legislative changes, budget cuts and staff layoffs since the coalition government came to power. We have until the 11^th March to submit against the Bill. Instead of dis-establishing the MfE, the government should strengthen its capacity to deal with the climate and ecological crises we are in. Climate club has this helpful submission guide. Our short and sharp submission is here.

Seabed mining

Working together has brought us the amazing win, first a draft decision of the Fast-Track Expert Panel to decline Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR)’s application to mine our seabed, then TTR’s withdrawal. It was kotahitanga at its best!

Following the much deserved celebration, let’s keep the pressure on, by signing this petition to support MP Debbie Ngarewa-Packer’s members bill to permanently ban seabed mining in Aotearoa. Furthermore, TTR, indeed no mining companies, should benefit from the government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund for critical minerals.

Seaweek ocean films

On Thursday 26^th March (6-7:30pm), head to Everybody’s theatre in Ōpunake to celebrate Seaweek. Wild for Taranaki will be screening three inspiring short films:

• Manta Watch
• SEAWEED, a love story
• Reef Revolution

The films will be followed by a community kōrero with local filmmaker Rebecca Pratt. Details and tickets here.

Why importing LNG is a bad idea – Webinar and Public meeting, 1st April 2026

We are collaborating with Taranaki Energy Watch and Community Energy Taranaki to organise a webinar and a public meeting to highlight the problems of the government’s plan to build an LNG import facility in Taranaki. The government’s announcement has sparked widespread criticisms from energy experts, consumers advocates and climate campaigners. The US-Israel war on Iran has now pushed the price of LNG up by 40-50 percent. Wise Response warned, “The era of cheap, high-return fossil fuels is over… with the world’s most critical energy chokepoint in flames, that warning could not be more relevant.”

At the webinar, we will bring these issues together, as well as the much less understood risks on human safety, should such a facility be built at Port Taranaki. In addition to Sarah Roberts from Taranaki Energy Watch, we will have a speaker from Lawyers for Climate Action and are waiting for confirmation from others.

Please stay tuned or contact us about the webinar and public meeting. 

Check your voting enrolment

Please do check that you are enroled to vote for the election. We have had reports that some previous voters have somehow dropped off the roll unknowingly. Make sure you put in your name and address correctly and re-enrol now if you are not on it.

Kia hauora, kia kaha, kia rangimārie,

Nā,

The team of Climate Justice Taranaki