Green dates
The following dates and community events provide an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of our environment.
Seaweek - Kaupapa Moana
2 March to 10 March 2024
Seaweek is New Zealand's annual national week celebrating the sea. Hosted by the NZ Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE), Seaweek is an opportunity for all ages to discover the many ways that our lives are connected to the sea.
In March every year, educators across Aotearoa encourage and promote events and community action projects to inspire and enable this connection.
Website: www.seaweek.org.nz
World Environment Day
5 June 2024
Saudi Arabia to host World Environment Day 2024 with a focus on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience
World Environment Day, marked annually on 5 June, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. Over the past five decades, the Day has grown to be one of the largest global platforms for environmental outreach. Tens of millions of people participate online and through in-person activities, events and actions around the world.
New Zealand hosted World Environment Day in 2008 in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). While Wellington was the host city, World Environment Day was celebrated actively throughout New Zealand to promote the 2008 'Kick the Carbon Habit' theme.
Website: www.worldenvironmentday.global
Arbor Day
5 June 2024
Arbor Day marks the beginning of the planting season and a time to celebrate the unique biodiversity of our country. The date coincides with World Environment Day every year.
Website: www.doc.govt.nz
World Oceans Day
8 June 2024
Action theme: "Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate"
World Oceans Day is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans. It is celebrated on 8 June every year.
Website: www.worldoceansday.org
Matariki - Māori New Year
29 June - 2 July 2024
Matariki is the Māori name for the group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster, or The Seven Sisters, Te iwa o Matariki (the nine stars of Matariki) are referred to as the traditional Māori New Year. The Matariki holiday for 2024 is Friday 28 June.
Website: www.tepapa.govt.nz
Keep New Zealand Beautiful Week
20 September 2024
A 'clean-up week' of activities across the country to clean up New Zealand, coordinated by Keep New Zealand Beautiful.
Website: www.knzb.org.nz
Māori Language Week
14 - 21 September 2024
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission) will develop helpful guidance on the use of Māori language in the home and will increase awareness of the benefits of bilingualism.
Website: www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz
Conservation Week
2 - 8 - September 2024
Conservation Week activities are coordinated by the Department of Conservation and have been celebrated since 1969.
Website: www.doc.govt.nz/conservationweek
World Habitat Day
7 October 2024
The United Nations' (UN) World Habitat Day is annually celebrated on the first Monday of October to reflect on the state of human settlements and people's right to sufficient shelter. It also aims to remind people that they are responsible for the habitat of future next generations.
Website: www.un.org
World Animal Week
3 - 9 October 2024
The World Society for the Protection of Animals has designated from 3 - 9 October every year as World Animal Week. World Animal Day is 4 October 2024.
Website: www.worldanimalprotection.org
World Space Week
4 - 10 October 2024
The theme - “Space and Climate Change”
Each year from 4 - 10 October, World Space Week celebrates the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.
Website: www.worldspaceweek.org
Disaster Reduction Day
13 October 2024
The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction is annually observed on the second Wednesday of October to raise the profile of disaster risk reduction. It also encourages people and governments to participate in building more resilient communities and nations.
Website: www.un.org/en/observances/disaster-reduction-day
World Food Day
16 October 2024
The day is observed every year around the world on 16 October in honour of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in 1945.
Website: www.fao.org
World Fisheries Day
21 November 2024
World Fisheries day is celebrated every year on November 21 throughout the world by fishing communities. This day is celebrated through rallies, workshops, public meetings, cultural programs, dramas, exhibition, music show, and demonstrations to highlight the importance of maintaining the world's fisheries.
Website: www.wiseoceans.com
Human Rights Day
10 December 2024
The United Nations' (UN) Human Rights Day is annually observed December 10 to mark the anniversary of the presentation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Website: www.hrc.co.nz
International Mountain Day
11 December 2024
The United Nations' (UN) International Mountain Day is an occasion to help raise awareness of the people who live in mountainous regions and the role that these regions play in providing food, water, and recreation. It is observed on December 11 each year.