ARO day 2020
Praxis Aotearoa set apart a day for talanoa, learning and mahi on the land – the first ARO day.
Over 70 staff, students, and associates left a positive mark for future generations. There are many creative responses to the environmental crisis, and the range of events at ARO day reflected this.
Wellington
In Wellington, the team was able to partner with the Whitireia Restoration Group working near Onehunga Bay. Praxis staff and students learnt about pest control and planted out 200 native shrubs beside the last remnant of native bush.
Even better than planting natives was sharing the day with the Porirua and City Alternative schools, and some of the board of trustees, a model of multiple generations working to improve the environment.
Christchurch
Praxis Christchurch gathered to plant flax saplings with Conservation Volunteers as part of the 50-year project to reforest Banks Peninsula. Donning high-vis vests they leaned into learning in action, upskilling, offsetting some of their environmental footprint and creating a place they can be proud to bring their rangatahi back to.
Whanganui
Students and staff from Whanganui joined with Matipo Trust, who empower local whanau to grow their own food. Praxis came alongside Matipo Trust’s current students, learning about agriculture and then getting stuck in with some mahi. It was a perfect day to be caring for the land and giving back to the community.
Auckland
Auckland and Whangarei students and staff spent the morning learning about climate change and the ARO project. Luckily, COVID-19 restrictions still allowed them to get out and get hands-on after a morning of talanoa. The groups headed out to the local beach and awa for a rubbish clean up, matching a local response to a global issue.