On a bright winter’s day, Cashmere Presbyterian Church began caring for a section of Ōhinetahi Bush Reserve on the Port Hills of Ōtautahi Christchurch. Supported by the Summit Road Society and the Student Volunteer Army, the church’s Eco Church team planted native trees and committed to ongoing stewardship — a shared act of faith, community, and environmental care.

It was super exciting to pilot a brand-new day camp during the July school holidays in Ōtautahi Christchurch! Designed for children aged 8–12, this hands-on, nature-based programme invited our young explorers to connect deeply with God’s creation and discover what it means to care for it. With plenty of time for fun, friendship, and meaningful discovery, the programme offered a rich way for children to grow in faith and care for the environment.

Young people from churches in Christchurch and Auckland have come together through the Good News Project 2025 to restore local ecosystems and explore the links between faith, climate justice, and food insecurity as part of World Vision’s 40 Hour Challenge. Coordinated by A Rocha’s Eco Church team with support from conservation project partners, the project empowers youth to be good news for creation through hands-on conservation and gospel-inspired action.

We’re excited to welcome Diana Johnston to the Eco Church team as our new Christchurch-based Regional Coordinator! In her new role, Diana will be focusing particularly on churches based in the Christchurch region - supporting, encouraging, and equipping them as they explore what it means to care for creation as part of their discipleship and mission.

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. 

On June 22, 2024, The 40 Hour Challenge Good News Project, brought together A Rocha, Eco Church and World Vision in a collaborative effort to regenerate native bush at Spencer Park in partnership with Christchurch City Council. This event aimed to engage local youth groups and inspire young Christians to take part in practical environmental action, creating a space where participants could hear the Good News and actively be the Good News through environmental restoration.

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.

Cashmere Presbyterian Church in Christchurch have recently installed a bike rack at the front of their church. It’s a simple but impactful step which they hope will encourage both church members and community groups who meet at the church to choose a transport option which is healthier for people and kinder to the environment.

Youth Groups from across Christchurch (including from many eco churches) came together as part of The Good News Project to spread joy, hope and mulch, and we couldn't be prouder! Over 100 young people joined the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust and Christchurch City Council to help to regenerate native bush at Te Ihutai. Check out this highlights video of the project!

All Saints Burwood shared with us their journey so far as an Eco Church… and the little and big steps that have been made.

Over the school holidays, we held our first He Māhuri Tōtara gathering in Ōtautahi Christchurch. What a week it was! with rangatahi from across the motu coming to explore caring for creation, leadership, Te Ao Māori and the Bible, and how those things are connected. He Māhuri Tōtara is a Christian environmental leadership development courses are for young people, young adults and youth leaders. The course explores the unique environmental challenges and opportunities of our world and the biblical imperative to care for creation.

In April 2022, 120 solar panels were blessed and commissioned on the roof of Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, Ōtautahi Christchurch providing around 25% of the church’s energy needs. A strong motivation for the church in installing the solar panels was recognising the importance of creation care as an act of worship to God. Since the church has been generating their own renewable energy, carbon emissions from church activities have dropped significantly, enabling the church to more sustainably steward the resources God has generously entrusted to them.