After a decade of restoration work in Landsdowne Valley, South West Baptist has begun a fresh six-year planting partnership at Westmorland West – continuing its restoration story with new energy, new partnerships, and a hillside ready for renewal.

What began as simple weeding and clearing has grown into something much deeper. On a warm Sunday morning in Whanganui, youth, families, and neighbours gathered for hands-on restoration—and found themselves building community, nurturing their faith, and practising kaitiakitanga together. Discover how a small gully regeneration project is transforming both the land and the people who care for it.

Across September and October, Alexandra Corps joined churches across Aotearoa in celebrating the Season of Creation, reflecting on the theme Peace with Creation. The Corps community embraced practical care for the environment — from a Kids Church worm farm project to a community planting day at Eden Gardens — and joined fellow Eco Church, Alexandra, Clyde and Lauder Union Parish for outdoor worship in the gardens. Together, they expressed their ongoing commitment to caring for God’s creation.

During the Season of Creation, Taranaki Cathedral embraced the call to care for creation in creative and meaningful ways. From lamenting ecological loss to sharing a spring feast around a flower-lined table, the community discovered new expressions of hope, connection, and renewal.

On 8 March 2025, members of the Kāpiti Anglican Parish set out on a unique local pilgrimage—tracing the Wharemauku Stream from its quiet headwaters to its mouth at the sea. Along the way, we paused to reflect, test water quality, and learn about the stream’s ecological and cultural significance. This journey deepened our sense of place and strengthened our connection with the whenua and wai that flow through our parish and community. Through learning about the history of the stream and its importance to the Puketapu hapū of Te Āti Awa, we also engaged with mātauranga Māori—acknowledging the depth of indigenous knowledge tied to this landscape.

Anne Albers shares her reflections from the Season of Creation Retreats #1 and #2 to mark the beginning and the end of the liturgical season. And Rebecca Webb shares a poem she wrote from the first retreat.

On a beautiful spring morning, Kristel, Selwyn and I had the pleasure of visiting Flagstaff Community Church in Dunedin. When we arrived at Flagstaff Community Church, Rev. Brendon McRae welcomed us, dressed in his Hunting and Fishing gear, clearly in the midst of working on the church's native regeneration project.  He is a pastor who truly embodies the phrase "faith in action." Not only is he deeply invested in the spiritual growth of his congregation, but he is also equally passionate about the church’s role as kaitiaki of God’s good creation.

For St Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Whanganui, caring for a new inner city park has provided them with a tangible way to express their commitment to caring for God’s creation. It has given them the opportunity to make community connections, and a way to be practically involved in creation care.

Situated on 15 acres of land held in a trust, Peacemakers is a tranquil space, with stunning stars on a clear night and birdsong at dawn. The three kaitiaki of the land Andrew, Susannah and Shannon have lived in intentional community here for 8 years and have recently been joined by Joshua. We all have a deep love for the land and follow the principles of permaculture. We are committed to planting natives and nurturing the orchard and food forest. Anyone is invited to join us for our volunteer days to experience the property.

Our beautiful Little Library is the work of many people and many months.  It was suggested in 2021 at the first meeting of our Eco Church Committee. It is the 67th little library built by Real World Living,  a charity that teaches practical skills (such as carpentry) and life skills to severely disabled young people. The box is made from recycled materials.

The story of Te Ringatini began in 2018 during one of my runs along the river. As I was going through the Donkey Track reserve, I was struck by the stark contrast between the established riparian planting and the invasive tradescantia weeds that were choking the understory. At that moment, amidst the beauty and the brokenness, I felt a divine nudge - a sense that God was calling me to help restore this piece of creation. I felt myself saying “Someone should do something about this” and I felt God respond “You should do something about this”. Yet I felt totally unprepared for the task that I sensed God was calling me into. 

Christchurch's Urban Forest Plan is a Council-led and community-driven effort to create a greener, more equitable city. By planting, nurturing, protecting, and involving the community, Christchurch is well on its way to becoming a greener city - ensuring all of the benefits of trees are available for us and for generations to come. Churches are encouraged to contribute to a thriving urban forest by planting trees on their properties and engaging their congregations in environmental initiatives.