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1. Wellington's economic growth is rising while tackling emissions like no other
city in the country.
Wellington, the vibrant capital of New Zealand, is on a mission to become a carbon-
zero city by the year 2030. With a firm commitment to sustainability, the city has
been steadily making progress in creating a greener and more environmentally
friendly future.
A recent government report titled “Wellington Towards 2040: Smart Capital” explores
the city's opportunities and initiatives for a sustainable future and the vision of a
Smart City by 2040.
However, for Deputy Mayor Laurie Foon, this vision goes beyond simply being a
smart capital. "The question isn't just about being a smart capital. It's about whether
we want to create a city that our children and young people will want to inherit. That's
what drives me to jump out of bed in the morning," shared Deputy Mayor Foon.
The last report by Wellington council “Te Atakura First to Zero” explores the
milestones and efforts the city is working on and aligns with the Deputy mayor’s
vision.
A crucial aspect of Wellington's sustainability journey is the transition from a linear
economy to a circular economy, a concept passionately advocated by Deputy Mayor
Foon. "The move from zero waste to a circular economy is essential. It helps us
avoid creating more demand in our environment and climate," emphasized Deputy
Mayor Foon.
According to the “European Parliament website” Circular economy emphasizes
reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling materials and products to reduce
waste and environmental impact.
The capital city has already achieved a 9 percent reduction in emissions compared
to last year, a remarkable accomplishment considering the simultaneous economic
growth.
"We are thriving economically and reducing our emissions simultaneously, and that's
a significant achievement," said Deputy Mayor Font.
While the city council plays a vital role in reducing CO2 emissions, the Wellington
community also plays a significant part.
One such example is the Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project, which
focuses on replanting native trees in the Wellington region.
Ross Gardiner, one of the organization's longest-serving members, shares the
project's evolution from a bush reserve to a more comprehensive ecological
restoration initiative.

2. "Our mission has expanded to encompass ecological restoration. We are thinking on
a broader scale now," explained Ross.
Manawa Karioi has seen an increment in advocacy and volunteering around the
project.
Someone last year got in touch saying they wanted to donate some money and
ended up donating 20000 dollars which is unbelievable. Ross said
Also, Ross highlights the importance of reconnecting people with nature and
understanding the significance of ecological preservation. Kākā and Kererū are
regular visitors now. When I just got involved, I was surprised to see 10 or 15 of
them around, whilst now that’s nothing. Ross said
"When you return to a place and witness the positive changes, you can truly
appreciate the importance of our natural ecology," shared Ross.
The Mayor’s deputy shared what Ross said, stating that Native birds are rising. “We
are the only City in the world where our native birds are on the rise” She said.
Furthermore, private initiatives as Farmlq, based in Wellington, are making
significant strides in promoting sustainable farming practices.
According to a government report titled “Wellington City Community Carbon
Footprint”, agriculture accounted for 2% of Wellington's gross emissions, emitting
14,450 tCO2e in 2021/22.
Tara Hegarty, a Technical support specialist at Farmax/FarmIQ and Master of
Environmental Science Student at Otago University, is at the forefront of this
movement.
Tara is actively involved in helping farmers create freshwater farm plans, complying
with the amended resource management act coming into effect on August 1.
In addition, FarmIQ assists farmers in calculating their greenhouse gas emissions,
as required by the upcoming He Waka Eke Noa regulations in 2024.
“Wellington has a large corporate presence, especially in the political space, for
example, the offices of MFE, MPI, and private farming businesses. And we also have
a high prevalence of dairy farms in Masterton,” Tara Hegarty said
The collective efforts of individuals, organizations like Manawa, and the Wellington
City Council are transforming the city's landscape and creating a sustainable future.
In line with this, Tara shares her passion “My master is looking at the conflicts
between farming and forestry, and how people manage their land. The social values

3. that drive the policies that govern that. And the national land cover data that
influences how we use our land.”
As sustainability efforts continue to shape Wellington's landscape and pave the way
for a greener future, a prominent manifestation of this movement can be seen in the
rise of eco-conscious businesses.
One notable player in this movement is Wellington's eco-friendly shop “Good House
Keeping”, owned by Mark Ussher, who has been promoting sustainable living and
providing eco-conscious alternatives.
Mark Ussher, a graphic designer and artist by trade, shared the story of how the eco-
friendly shop “Good House Keeping” starts.
It all started when he and his wife noticed a vacant storefront in 2018. They were
dissatisfied with the prospect of another “vape shop” or “liquor store” opening in the
area.
"My wife had an idea while talking to a customer at her salon. She mentioned the
vacant shop across the road, and the lease seemed quite cheap. That's when she
suggested opening a little second-hand shop, or even better, an eco-friendly shop,"
Mark explained.
With Wellington's reputation as a progressive and environmentally conscious city,
the idea resonated with Mark.
“And I was like yeah, nobody is doing eco shops in Wellington, wellington is the
place that you expect them to be,” Mark said
This Resonates with Deputy Mayor Laurie Foon as she acknowledged the role of the
Wellington community in fostering early ideas and driving positive change. Their
commitment to innovation and sustainable practices is a driving force behind the
city's progress.
The opening response was immediate and encouraging. As soon as “Good House
Keeping” opened its doors, people flocked in, eager to find items that aligned with
their eco-conscious values.
Mark shared, "It was obvious that there was a big gap in the market. People were
looking for sustainable alternatives that they couldn't find elsewhere."
One of the shop's standout offerings is its range of eco-store refills, which has made
it the busiest shop in the country for cleaning refill products.
Some of the products available for refill are dishwashing liquid, washing powder,
hand soap and much more.

4. "We wanted to provide sustainable alternatives, so we focused on eco-store refills.
They help reduce plastic waste and provide a practical solution for customers."
Wellington has emerged as a frontrunner in the race to combat climate change and
create a sustainable future.
With ambitious targets, innovative initiatives, and a community driven by a shared
vision, the capital city of New Zealand is rewriting the playbook for urban
sustainability.
The journey towards a carbon-zero city by 2030 is well underway, and the collective
efforts of individuals, organizations, and the Wellington City Council are driving the
transformation, making the vibrant capital a beacon of hope for a greener world.