Welcome to Eco Church Aotearoa!
Nau mai ki Hāhi Tautaiao o Aotearoa!
Church communities across Aotearoa New Zealand actively caring for God’s earth as an integral part of their mission.
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Why should our church become an Eco Church?
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360°Carbon Calculator for Churches
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Eco Church Action Planner
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Zero Waste Programme for Churches
Latest Stories…
At Praxis, caring for creation is becoming part of the organisation’s DNA. Through their ARO framework — Assess, Reduce, Offset — this national youth work NGO is learning what it means to turn toward creation as followers of Jesus, integrating care for the earth into everyday formation and practice. At our recent Eco Church Partners Kōrero, Praxis director Murray Shearer shared how this journey is shaping youth work, theology, and culture — helping young people reconnect with creation, each other, and the Creator.
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.
During this year’s Season of Creation, All Saints’ Anglican Church in Dunedin demonstrated its ongoing commitment to caring for God’s earth through hands-on community action. Parish members joined with the Student Christian Movement to plant 145 native trees on a South Otago farm, helping regenerate native forest and restore riparian habitats. Later in the month, a smaller group took to Te Awa o Ōwheo (the Leith) for a local river clean-up, reflecting the parish’s deep connection to this waterway and its place in the church’s story. Together, these actions embodied All Saints’ vision of faith expressed through stewardship, community, and hope for creation’s renewal.
What People Are Saying…
“I think it is great that we can be an Eco Church and that we have the Eco Church network. It is an important network to support each other and to hear ideas about how other churches do things. I feel that Eco Church is breaking down barriers between churches - it doesn't matter what denomination you are from or how you worship, we are all working together to make a difference in our communities and our world.”
— Eco Church advocate / kaihāpai
“It's a much-needed initiative and restores care for God's creation at the heart of our faith. Christians should be leaders in environmental issues. The challenges to live more sustainably are huge but unavoidable, so here's a chance to demonstrate we care for the whole ecosystem.”
— Eco Church denominational partner
"All of us—whoever and wherever we are—can play a part in changing our collective response to the unprecedented threat of climate change and environmental degradation.
Caring for God’s creation is a spiritual commission requiring a response of commitment. This is a critical moment. Our children’s future and the future of our common home depend on it."
— A Joint Message for the Protection of Creation (Season of Creation 2021)
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Pope Francis, Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury
We work collaboratively and in partnership with local Aotearoa churches, denominations, organisations, creation care groups, individuals, and with the A Rocha worldwide family.
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi
With your basket and my basket the people will thrive
Check out the recent posts from our blog on the A Rocha website!