In 2015 all of you helped us get 11,500 submissions on the Skypath! Now, we need everyone to champion safe walking and cycling link on the Northern Pathway by submitting this Sunday, 14 June. 

It is wonderful that Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is listening and aiming to see this Pathway as more than just a commuter link, but as a community resource. We emphasize that the Pathway’s success lies in its connectivity. The Pathway should be viewed as a tree trunk, which will only thrive if it has many branches. 

Pushing for safe, connected & future-proofed walking & cycling links like this one makes for an awesome Tāmaki Makaurau. You can submit on the second round of consultation on the Pathway here, but we have produced a quick submit form here but if you want to see the full detail of our submission points read more below!

Generation Zero partnered with ACE New Zealand* to ask the government to provide addition support to local governments in such an uncertain time. Take a look at the letter we've put together here.

Youth-led climate campaigners School Strike 4 Climate and Generation Zero launched their #unitebehindclimate campaign website today, coinciding with New Zealand’s first digital School Strike 4 Climate event.

The website (www.unitebehindclimate.com) is a platform for young people to call for placing climate justice at the centre of future Government spending as the country recovers from COVID-19. As youth-led organisations, both groups are also calling for intergenerational justice - meaning a resilient and secure future for all generations.

This pandemic has seen an overwhelming number of cyclists and pedestrians on our streets and in our parks. It is reported that Auckland Council and Auckland Transport have seen an increase of 91% on their cycling counters. 

Auckland is one of the few areas in Aotearoa New Zealand that has taken decisive action and installed temporary cycle lanes and walkways during the lockdown. They are following the actions of cities around the world like Oakland, Paris, and Bogotá.

Read more to voice your feedback and show your support!

At this critical point in time for our city, Wellington City Councillors are deciding what our new normal will look like as we come through the COVID-19 crisis together. Amidst calls for a climate justice focused recovery, they’ve voted to bail out Wellington Airport, a major polluter. This is concerning and Generation Zero will be watching closely to ensure the council delivers on their promises to take urgent action on climate change.

We hope you are doing well, in these strange times and that you and your whānau are staying safe.

For those with more time on their hands, we wanted to give an update and mention a few productive things we can do from the safety of our bubbles to keep pushing for a climate-resilient Tāmaki Makaurau. Being stuck at home need not stop us from having our say! Read more about how you can submit on the Northern Pathway and Lake Rd cycleways.

To the Parliament of Aotearoa New Zealand,

Please centre climate justice when making decisions on the COVID-19 recovery. 

Repairing the damage done by COVID-19 to both our economy and society will be a huge task. It is critical that we put climate justice at the centre of our response, as there can be no social justice without climate justice. We would do future generations a disservice if we forgot the need to act on climate change while recovering from COVID-19.

Generation Zero asks that when you are making decisions on the recovery you:

1. Honour and uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and The Zero Carbon Act.
2. Do not override the Resource Management Act and ensure due process.
3. Lay the foundations of a zero-emissions Aotearoa by prioritising low-carbon transport infrastructure.
4. Ensure that new government housing provides a healthy environment for our vulnerable citizens.

Youth-led climate campaigners Generation Zero welcome the government’s efforts, particularly the financial assistance package to aid those affected by COVID-19. New Zealanders, especially those from low socio-economic backgrounds and people with disabilities, are deeply affected by COVID-19. The campaigners recognise that the financial assistance package announced today by the Prime Minister will help ease the burden during times of uncertainty and stress. Alongside this though, investments to address the COVID-19 crisis also present a massive opportunity to make headway on the climate crisis.