Kia ora koutou climate champions,
With local elections just five months away, now is the time to turn our passion for climate action into tangible change in local government. Following the inspiring discussions at our March conference, two actions for using our collective political voice were raised. Which are you up for – stand up or speak up?
1. STAND UP: Become a Climate Champion on Our Council
Could you be the strong voice for our environment that our local council needs? If you’ve ever felt a pull to lead and advocate for meaningful climate policy, now is the moment to consider standing as a candidate.
Getting Started: Our friends at GLOW are running a 12-week Local Government Incubator designed to support everyday people to step into the political arena. They offer invaluable training on how local government operates, effective campaigning strategies, and crucial climate policy knowledge.
Learn more and sign up for their webinar at https://glowaotearoa.org/.
If you decide to register as a candidate, please let us know! We want to rally our community to support fellow climate advocates on the ballot. Candidate nominations close at noon on Friday, August 1st, 2025. You can also get information form your local council directly:
2. SPEAK UP: Help Organise A Town Hall Debate
Imagine a public forum where our local election candidates are directly asked about their plans and commitments to address the climate crisis. We believe we can make this happen, but we need your energy and skills to bring a powerful Climate Action Town Hall Debate to life!
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with:
- Preparation: Building our community’s perspective on climate issues relevant to our local government.
- Event Organizing: Assisting with logistics, venue arrangements, and outreach.
Ready to roll up your sleeves and make this happen?
If you want to ensure climate action is a central issue in the upcoming election and are willing to contribute your time and talents, please submit the form below with your contact details and we will form an organising committee (by the end of May) to make this happen.
Let have our voices heard, both on the ballot and in the conversation!
Climate Action Tai Tokerau 