May-Jun 2026 Pānui

May - Jun 2026 Pānui

Updates, opportunities & events, news & resources in climate & health.

Upcoming: OraTaiao noho marae, 11 & 12 July, Matariki weekend

Nau mai, haere mai

We wanted to open this pānui with a reminder that this Matariki weekend you're invited to our OraTaiao noho marae in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Sat 11 & Sun 12 July 2026 at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae (pictured above).

Our noho marae (overnight stay at the marae) is your opportunity to spend time in a beautiful place, connect with other OraTaiao members, to reflect on where we are and where we need to get to, and to find your place in our election year (and beyond) work.

Guest speaker Gareth Hughes, Director of Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WeAll) will be joining us to discuss our goals for long-term systems change.

Open to all OraTaiao members and your whānau.

It doesn't cost to attend, accommodation and kai will be covered. If travel costs are a barrier to attending, please get in touch.

If you're unsure about attending or have any questions, please reach out.

Here are The Spinoff's Top 10 Tips for your first noho marae.

It will be a special time in a special place with great people. Hope to see you soon.

Ka mahuta a Matariki i te pae, ka mahuta ō tātou tūmanako ki te tau

When Matariki rises above the horizon, our aspirations rise to the year ahead

Ngā mihi nui,

Summer, OraTaiao Convenor

OraTaiao mahi & updates

OraTaiao opinion piece published

Summer and George's opinion piece Role of lobbyists in climate law change just one example of unhealthy influences in politics was published in The Post, The Press and Waikato Times.

Access a non-paywalled copy here.

Executive in-person hui

Our Executive Board met in June to dive deep into our strategy using the tools we learned through the Global COACH programme.

It was wonderful to be together in person and we are looking ahead, focused on building our climate and health movement.

Photo from the hui, L to R: Vicktoria Blake, Liz Springford (back), Steve Grimson (front), Summer Wright, Michael Brenndorfer, Lisa Mcilwraith, George Laking (back), Dermot Coffey (front), Romelli Rodriguez-Jolly. Apologies from Isabella Lenihan-Ikin and Susanna Lees Watt.

Recent submissions made by OraTaiao

Access our latest submission via these links below.

Submission to Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga on proposed changes to diabetes medicines’ access criteria

Submission to Environment Select Committee on Conservation Amendment Bill

The submission period for the Conservation Amendment Bill has been extended so you still have time. Find more details below in 'Opportunities & Events'.

Katiaki Hauora | Together for Public Health

OraTaiao continues to contribute to the Kaitiaki Hauora campaign.

The campaign's three demands of any incoming Government are:

Fund public health properly – so everyone gets care when they need it.
Honour Te Tiriti – ensuring Māori lead on equity in the health system.
Keep healthcare public – so care stays for people, not profit.

You can follow and support the campaign on LinkedIn and Instagram. Opportunities to get more involved this election are coming.

Climate & health news

Aotearoa's last hospital coal boiler decommissioned this week

A win for everyone who worked on this and another demonstration that we can transition to lower impact, lower emissions, healthier systems.

"Replacing a high-polluting system with clean, efficient heat pump technology cuts greenhouse gas emissions and supports air quality improvements for staff, patients, and community." Read the full story here.

Healthy Climate Adaptation in South Dunedin report released

"The health and wellbeing of South Dunedin communities should be at the heart of council decision-making about climate change-related increases in flooding and sea-level rise."

Prof Alex Macmillan and Dr Sarah Harrison outline the findings of their report and research in the Otago Daily Times, with lessons for communities across Aotearoa.

Read their full report here.

Carr's top 20 actions for politicians this election year

Former Climate Change Commission chair Rod Carr outlines a list of actions he's hoping to see from our aspiring leaders, including confronting climate denial as well as refusing funds or policy advice from vested interests.

Read his open access article in Carbon News here.

Opportunities & events

Conservation Amendment Bill submissions extended to 13 July

The Conservation Amendment Bill would rewrite the Department of Conservation's purpose to put economic opportunities front and centre when making decisions to the "greatest extent practicable".

Submissions were to close today but they have been extended until 13 July so you still have time.

Greenpeace and others have made submission guides so you can quickly submit, or you can make a submission through parliament's website.

The Climate Change Commission is seeking input into how they update their advice on Aotearoa New Zealand’s fourth emissions budget (2036–2040). 

From the Commission: "Communities across Aotearoa New Zealand are already experiencing more frequent and severe climate impacts, including storms, rain, landslides, and sea-level rise. Limiting future climate risk depends on reducing global emissions. Emissions budgets set out how much Aotearoa New Zealand needs to reduce its emissions, in five-year steps."

And, don't forget to register for OraTaiao's noho marae

Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae in golden evening light

Resources

Population Health Improvement UK have produced a briefing guide on how to talk about Commercial Determinants of Health (CDoH) with policymakers, the public, and others unfamiliar with the concept.

They say, "While many commercial actors contribute positively to health and society, certain powerful corporations are driving ill health, environmental destruction, and inequity. CDoH can therefore impact people’s health positively or negatively, as well as directly and indirectly. This brief is concerned with not only the harms caused by products and practices (e.g. from Big Tobacco, Big Alcohol), but also the wider profit-driven system in which these companies operate, one where private profits are extracted while the burden of harm is carried (and paid for) by government and communities."

Find the briefing guide here.

Looking down Opanuku Stream in Henderson, Tāmaki Makaurau. A stony stream with a canopy of native trees

Thank you for all that you do.

Enjoy some time outside.

If you have anything for a future pānui, please get in touch.

Mauri ora, Marnie, Coordinator