Sustainability Options

What would it take to fund the future we want?

How we structure our tax system has a significant impact on our communities, our economy and our ability to respond to challenges such as climate change.

This Thursday, Better taxes for a Better Future is hosting Funding Our Future in Tauranga — a practical workshop exploring how better taxes could help fund the things that matter, including schools and hospitals, climate action and a just transition.

The workshop will look at:

💡 The problems with our current tax system and some practical solutions

💬 How to have constructive conversations about tax and bring people along

🌱 How communities can help build support for changes to our tax system

It’s a topic that connects closely with the broader questions we think about at Sustainability Options: what does a fair, sustainable and flourishing future look like — and how do we create the systems to support it?

If tax, sustainability and the future of our economy are topics you’re interested in, this could be a worthwhile conversation to be part of.

📅 Thursday 3 September
⏰ 5:30–7:30pm
📍 Basestation, 148 Durham Street, Tauranga
🍽️ Kai, inu and good vibes provided

Everyone is welcome, but spaces are limited.

Find out more and RSVP: www.bettertaxes.nz/fof_tauranga

Another great Green Drinks! 🥂

Last Thursday we headed beneath the surface of our oceans for an evening exploring the impact of bottom trawling on Aotearoa’s moana.

We were joined by local Tauranga resident Kate Graeme, President of Forest & Bird’s National Board, who unpacked what bottom trawling means for our marine ecosystems, from the scale of the practice in New Zealand to the impacts it can have on the health of our oceans.

With around 68% of New Zealand’s fish caught using bottom trawling, there was plenty to discuss: Is this practice truly sustainable? What does it mean for our marine environment here in the Bay of Plenty? And what alternatives might be possible?

As always, it was an evening full of thoughtful conversation, curiosity and connection, and a great reminder of the importance of understanding what’s happening beneath the surface.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for another thought-provoking Green Drinks!

We’re pretty proud of our kaimahi Lee! 🌿

Lee has been recognised with the Emerging Leader Award from the New Zealand Green Building Council - NZGBC - recognising someone who has made a significant contribution and impact early in their career.

Lee has played a big part in establishing our 20 Degrees healthy housing programme, developing our customer relationship management system and helping build the way we measure our impact.

Lee spoke about something we care deeply about: making healthy, efficient homes accessible to everyone. That means finding more affordable ways to retrofit the homes we already have, while also building new homes that last, use less energy and are affordable to live in.

Well done Lee – this award is very deserved! 👏

Find out more about the mahi our team is doing at Sustainability Options: sustainabilityoptions.org.nz/current-projects/

Healthy Homes FREE workshop coming soon! Hosted by Merivale Community Centre . 🙏

We think that education is a really important tool in improving Aotearoa's housing conditions.

Our workshop will focus on upskilling attendees with easy-to-action tips for creating a warmer, drier whare.

Details below:
📅Wednesday 26 August, 1-2:30pm
📍Merivale Community Centre, 10 Kesteven Ave, Merivale

A huge thanks to Powerco for their sponsorship towards our Healthy Homes Workshops, we are so grateful! 🙏

All are welcome - we'd love to see you there!😊

Six parties, one important conversation 🗨️

Addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and biosecurity threats has never been more urgent for Aotearoa. Ahead of this year's general election, join us for a free community event where representatives from six political parties share their views on the environment.🌱🏞️

This is not a debate. One representative from each of the six confirmed parties will respond, in their own words, to the same three set questions covering environmental policy, long-term funding, and how parties plan to work together beyond election cycles.

The remaining time will address themes raised through the questions you submit at registration, so the kaupapa reflects what matters most to our community, not just the parties on stage.

Whoever you're planning to vote for, this is a genuine opportunity to listen, gain insight, and inform your voting decision.🗳️

Event details👇

📅 When: Thursday 17 September 2026. Doors open 5.00pm, nibbles on arrival, formalities begin 5.30pm.
📍Where: The Cargo Shed, Tauranga.
FREE - registration essential.

Proudly co-hosted by Envirohub Bay of Plenty, Tiwaiwaka Aotearoa, Bay Conservation Alliance, Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Trust, Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital and Sustainability Options.

Register now to secure your place:
🔗https://events.humanitix.com/election-special-bop-climate-action-festival-2026

Kia ora koutou.

I have a bit of an update… In a few weeks, I’m going to be boarding a plane to the Solomon Islands for the adventure of a lifetime! ✈️

On 30 August, I'll begin a 12-month volunteer assignment with VSA (Volunteer Service Abroad), supporting two different partner organisations. Sustainability Options are supporting me (they are such an awesome bunch of compassionate humans!), by leaving my position open for me to come back to in 12 months’ time. Our co-founder Nik’s daughter will be looking after our comms while I’m away – so you might notice a bit of a change!

While I’m away in Honiara, Solomon Islands, I'll be supporting communication activities for Transparency Solomon Islands (which is an anti-corruption charity). I’ll also be carrying out market research for Health First, to help guide a feasibility study around setting up a healthcare facility in Honiara.

I’m fundraising $1000 for Volunteer Service Abroad to support their mahi across the Pacific, and to help future volunteers. I’m currently at $514, and every donation - big or small - genuinely helps.

👉 If you’re able to support, you can donate here: https://volunteer-service-abroad.raiselysite.com/c-ogilvy 💝

VSA strives to do capacity-building development, and my assignment ties in with lots of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the kaupapa at Sustainability Options.

I studied Development Studies, focussed on the Pacific region, at Victoria university. This opportunity combines many of the things I'm passionate about: community development, social justice, cross-cultural learning, communications, and research. I’m really excited to share the knowledge and skills I’ve acquired from university and my time at Sustainability Options, to support aiga over in the Pacific region. My time at Sustainability Options has taught me lots about the importance of education in building the capacity of those in the community, for sustainable inter-generational change.

While I'm taking my experiences and skills with me, I know I'll learn just as much from the people and communities I meet along the way. ❤️ I’m also excited to bring my learnings and experience back to Sustainability Options, to support our mahi even more meaningfully. Ngā mihi nui to the beautiful, supportive bunch of kaimahi I work with - and to anyone who’s able to donate. Your support truly means a lot. 🙏

What are the ingredients for a healthy home?🏠

Moisture management, best practice ventilation, reducing heat loss, and heating!

We'll break all of this down at our FREE healthy homes workshop, coming up soon.

At Merivale Community Centre, we'll share lots of practical, low cost tips to get your home warmer and drier. 🔥

Details below:
📅Wednesday 26 August, 1-2:30pm
📍Merivale Community Centre, 10 Kesteven Ave, Merivale

All are welcome - we'd love to see you there!😊

Join Better taxes for a Better Future!

This is a practical workshop on how better taxes can support better futures for everyone in Aotearoa, and how we can make it a reality.

Thursday, 3 September
🕔5:30 - 7:30pm
📍Basestation, 148 Durham Street, Tauranga (Babbage Space / basement - downstairs or accessible entrance via driveway)
🥘Kai, inu and good vibes provided!

In this workshop, you’ll learn about:

-How we fund our future! The problems with our tax system and practical solutions
-How to bring people along with us through effective organising conversations
-How you can contribute to growing support for better taxes in your communities.

We know that most ordinary people in Aotearoa support tax changes that would fund the things that matter - our schools and hospitals, responding to climate change and a just transition - a tax system that would ensure everyone pays their fair share, and supports a flourishing economy.

Together we can grow and harness the power of the majority to pressure our political leaders to take action!

Everyone is welcome, but spaces are limited so please RSVP to secure your place 👇
www.bettertaxes.nz/fof_tauranga_260903

We've got another FREE healthy home workshop coming up soon - this time in Taneatua! 🔥 With Te Puna Ora o Mataatua Charitable Trust.

Do you want a healthier, more comfortable home without breaking the bank?

✨Join us for a community workshop packed with practical, low-cost tips to keep your home warm and dry all year round.

💧Manage dampness & condensation
🌡️Keep your home warm & cozy
🪟Unlock the magic of good curtains
💵Reduce your power bills
📄Learn about Healthy Homes Standards

Details in the picture below! 👇