Rotorua hui explores ways to save the environment

Compostable toilets and social media are some of the ways we can save our land, according to environmental warriors who spoke at a community hui this weekend.

How do we survive this century? Was the name of the hui yesterdayin St Lukes Church - the first of many Rotorua meetings, with this session focused on the environment.

It ran through Organise Aotearoa, a new nationwide movement aimed at giving a voice to the public through open discussions on key issues and policies that affect everyone.

Rotorua Lakes Council candidate Kaya Sparke was one of the organisers and said events like these, no matter how many showed up, were important to give everyone a chance to learn and talk.

Kaya Sparke (left), Liam Campbell, Ti Lamusse and Alex Pirie were excited for Rotorua's first of many public huis. Photo / Stephen Parker

Sparke, 23, was particularly concerned about the environment and jumped when fellow organiser, Alex Pirie, asked if she wanted to come on board.

"Papatūānuku really needs us right now, so the more people to fight for her the better."

She said there were many environmental issues in and around Rotorua, and while the council did a lot around sustainability, "I think we can and need to do better".

"I really want to push for big bold changes in council policy and help lead the way for other councils nationally. Small steps are not enough at this point in history."

Sparke said she was excited to be part of the group to open up conversations about key topics to locals.

Nireaha Pirika from Ngāti Uenukukopako opened the floor and spoke of his passion to create a circular economy, rather than continue to put waste back in the environment.

"Every decision we make must include the environment," he said as he spoke of the damage being done to Rotorua's land and waters - taonga.

Pirika offered ways to reduce harm to the environment which included using the "grey water" - treated wastewater - for watering gardens instead of putting it into our lakes.

Another suggestion was compostable toilets.

Kiri Paku continued the theme of taonga and said damage was done to the environment when people saw it as an asset instead of a treasure.

Social media was a tool Paku said people should use to a message out, which was how she campaigned to make a positive impact on the environment.

Ben Sandford attended the first meeting and said the different opinions and solutions that came from open discussions were good for society.

"It's good to get more people engaged and hear about what's happening around us."

He said a lot of the time people chose opinions they wanted to hear, and these events were valuable in creating perspective.

The next Organise Aotearoa event for Rotorua will be in a month and will focus on Māori sovereignty.