Sustainability

Whether you love getting amongst the arts, prefer to eat your way around town, or headbang into the night, Ōtautahi's got something for you. Here are the best events happening in Christchurch in 2025. 

Activewear is the holy grail of the wardrobe. 

Sunflower season is short but sweet and while there might not be an abundance of sunflower farms in Aotearoa, there are five magical spots you’ll definitely want to visit.

There’s no getting around the fact that The Good Life requires something to live that good life on (aka a planet) but climate anxiety really knocks the dopamine out of a cheeky add to cart. 

To make things easy for you, we’ve created this list of the best places to buy your Christmas tree this year—now you have no reason to procrastinate!

Black Friday is on the horizon—Friday 29 November, to be exact—and while it’s a froth-worthy occasion for some, it prompts a wave of eye-rolling for others. The Conscious Countdown, however, is, allowing you to snag a bargain from a curation of local businesses that put the planet and people first. 

Forget everything you thought you knew about vegan and vegetarian food. Far from its can-o’-chickpea origins, vegan fare is now unapologetically delicious.

This week, and every week henceforth, we encourage you to go beyond learning how to order your coffee in Māori in exchange for a free brew at work, and do something to create a lasting impact for yourself and te reo Māori.

Commissioned by Auckland Transport, pockets of Māori mahi toi (art) are woven through the city centre. What starts as a functional project—say revamping infrastructure—becomes a powerful art project. 

At long last, women’s sport is taking centre stage and we are here. for. it. As we head into the cooler months, all eyes are on our Black Ferns and their highly-anticipated 2024 test calendar. 

Run clubs are gaining popularity and for good reason. Fitspo is dead—and real, authentic, cool breeze, crisp air, blood pumping, good-for-you activity is in. 

Give your space a budget and eco-friendly revamp with some of the best second-hand furniture stores in Auckland.

Summer is finally here and we couldn’t be more ready to frolic in the waves and relax on the beach. We’ve looked high and low to find the most sustainable swimwear labels around, that are ocean-friendly and will have you feeling great all summer long.

In this video, Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds speaks to the importance of cultural preservation through Māori content creators such as himself in the digital world.

From a 9-5 desk worker to a professional op shopper, Tabitha Coleman has turned one of her biggest passions into a full-time job.

Shaneel Lal, a Fijian-New Zealand writer, LGBT rights activist, and New Zealand's first-ever trans person to win Young New Zealander Of The Year, advocates for the preservation and amplification of queer stories in mainstream media, emphasising society's obligation to ensure a brighter and more inclusive future for the next generation of queer individuals.

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re a) on a device, b) connected to the internet, and c) know your way around the wonderful world web. While it’s easy to take these factors for granted, it’s important to realise this isn’t a reality for a lot of New Zealanders. 

Unless you're Barbie, the amount of single-use plastics we have is not fantastic. And with the drive of consumer culture and mass packaging, for many, the gravity of the problem is often overlooked. 

Shopping sustainably is becoming easier and easier, with more local NZ brands being launched all the time specifically developed to be way better for the environment than their predecessors. We've filled our list with some of the lesser-known brands, so you can support small business while you build your more sustainable life.

Not a fan of excessive eye contact on the first date? Sick and tired of eating with your eyes and not with your stomach? Or simply looking for a dining experience with a little more excitement? Well, look no further (pun intended...)

Today is International Women’s Day, an important day for all those who identify and women and allies. To celebrate, we reached out to 10 inspirational women to see what they had to say on this year’s theme #EmbraceEquity.

Green does not mean boring, folks. And, proving they know what’s what when it comes to all things good, The EcoFest Festival is returning for a month-long party of all things seriously eco! 

Well, whānau, what a time. As we finally come up for air following the unprecedented floods in Tāmaki Makaurau and with potentially more coming on the horizon, it’s time for us to come through for each other. 

Here we are again, whānau. Cyclone Gabrielle, hot on the tail of the recent floods, has put further strain on our communities. Here are 11 ways you can contribute to the Cyclone Gabrielle relief effort.

It's no secret we love Christmas and all the glitz and glam that comes with it, from beautifully wrapped gifts beneath pretty trees, to swanky end-of-year parties with fancy food and drink. However we also know that, as the Grinch himself discovered, 'Christmas means a little bit more'. It's about spending time with loved ones, creating special memories and most importantly—helping out those less fortunate than ourselves.

Make more conscious gifting decisions this Christmas.

Special events call for extra special outfits. Luckily for us, there are heaps of fancy dress hire shops across New Zealand to help us get our glam on. 

Not many people can say they started a beauty brand in their own kitchen, but Brianne West did just that when launching Ethique.

Essential reading.

Despite being a struggle in the wee hours of the morning, pulling yourself out of bed and venturing out for a sunrise mission is always worth setting the alarm.

Multi-award-winning NZ clean skincare brand Emma Lewisham has just dropped a next-level Sleeping Mask which is basically beauty sleep in a bottle.

We’ve been longingly watching from across the pond and now it’s our time to enjoy the stunning outdoor vacay of a lifetime—Unyoked is finally launching their very first New Zealand nature escape, and it's going to be epic.

Let's talk the "P-word".

Good for your tush, good for the planet.

To put it simply, the theory behind the CE is about transforming our current linear consumption model (Take-Make-Waste) into a circular one that keeps products and services in use for longer (well, forever) to reduce environmental impact and protect precious natural resources. 

Each year, countries all around the world unite together for Earth Hour, one of the largest global movements where millions of people pledge to become more earth-conscious by partaking in an electricity-free hour. On 26 March at 8:30pm we’re turning off the lights, the electricity and even our phones (you can do it!) for one hour all in the name of sustainability. 

Welcome to part two of our inspirational interview series all about breaking the bias, the theme for International Women's Day 2022. To celebrate, we reached out to nine inspirational women to see what they had to say on the topic.

Today is International Women’s Day, an important day for all those who identify as women and allies. To celebrate, we reached out to nine inspirational women to see what they had to say on this year’s theme of #breakthebias.

After two-ish years of sweatpants (mostly) all day every day, the ‘home couture’ game is strong but sweats and sand don’t mix so we went looking for the best dresses to salute the sun in this summer.

We all know how important good sleep is, just like we know how important quality bedding is for obtaining that sleep nirvana. Since it can feel a little daunting to navigate the many options on the market right now, we’re here to help. Whether it’s cotton or silk that tickles your fancy, we’ve got something for you!

Bless your ears with these incredible LGBTQI+ podcasts that will make you laugh and cry with their raw, honest and hilarious storytelling. From celebrity hosts and guest stars to award-winning journalists and activists, these queers podcasts are seriously binge-worthy.

If you haven’t heard of Rotoroa Island, you better catch up, stat, because you’re definitely missing out.

The term zero waste has been on the upward trend for a while now, but it’s one that we hope will stick around for the long haul. When you consider that one million plastic bottles are purchased around the world each minuteand that 91% of plastic is never recycled, well it’s enough to make your head hurt. Most people are aware by now of what you need to do to reduce your waste at home, and it’s not all that different when you’re travelling, but we’re going to break it down for you so there are no excuses.

We all know the struggle of trying to find the right pillow. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for a healthy lifestyle, so we’re here to guide you in the comfiest direction.  

Face masks are now essential wear for all New Zealanders.

Making beautiful soaps with natural, plant-based ingredients only, this small Kiwi business is doing its bit to help to address the world’s big packaging problem by delivering bulk packs of soap to your door.

With Plastic Free July coming to an end and Conservation Week on the horizon, being mindful of our consuming habits should be our way of life. With the average Kiwi consuming 31kg of plastic per year (yikes), reducing our environmental footprint is something we need to consciously strive for every day.

When it comes to the beauty industry, sustainable and eco-conscious aren’t often the first words that come to mind, which is why we’re just a little bit obsessed with Anna Ross, the boss babe behind vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand Kester Black.

The winners of The Circle Awards AUS & NZ 2021 have officially been announced, and our carts (and hearts) are full of sustainable swaps we never knew we needed.

Washing your hair with solid shampoo and taking your keep cup everywhere is a solid way to make sustainable changes, but it’s super easy to forget that the environment comes into the equation with pretty much everything we do, and that includes getting married. 

Realising this gap between food waste and food insecurity, Nick Loosley founded Everybody Eats - a locally-based, not-for-profit with a mission to reduce food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand. With Everybody Eats scaling across NZ, we caught up with Nick to find out more about their origins, their mission, and hear about their new Goodie Box initiative. 

The team behind the talented design and construction team Babylon Gardens—who have been creating beautiful landscapes in Auckland for over 10 years—have just opened the Babylon Store to help all plant-lover wannabes.

When it comes to delivering a multi-sensory retail experience, Comvita has raised the bar with the launch of the new Comvita Wellness Lab right at the heart of the city. What used to be a traditional retail store for its deliciously golden honey, has now expanded into a beautiful space inspired by everything that goes into the art of honey making.

From growing your own vegetables to cutting down on single-use plastics, slashing your food waste and walking more, here are seven ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

Here at Urban List, we're passionate about putting our best foot forward, dedicated to being as conscious as possible when it comes to sustainability.

Little else compares to the feeling of drinking a coffee when you so desperately need one. As you’re sipping on your daily fuel, it might not occur to you that coffee directly contributes to environmental degradation in a myriad of depressing ways.

Ethique have gone and launched the line of eco-friendly lip balms we’ve all been waiting for.  

EveryHuman is the only marketplace in Australia and New Zealand bringing together the best adaptive fashion brands from around the globe, allowing people with disabilities to look and feel their best.

From combining pure, organic oils and creating divine signature scent combinations to making classy recyclable packaging, Becca Project has reimagined essential oil use through a range of covetable products.

All designed by New York’s most prolific 22-year-old.

Time to let op-shop fever set in. Whether you could easily lose a day browsing pre-loved goodies, or you’ve come across some of the harrowing stats about the clothing industry, there’s no denying the demand for second-hand clothes is growing.

LGBTQI+ stories on screen have become more prevalent in recent years (and rightly so), giving a historically silenced community a proud voice. From confronting and necessary stories of hardship depicting the queer community’s history and current realities to ones of hope and joy which celebrate and normalise LGBTQI+ sexuality and relationships. Lucky for us, streaming platforms are now dedicating more of their libraries to sharing tales of romantic love, friendship, family, self-love, and community.

Load Up your boot on covetable botanical goodies at Auckland Plant Market happening on March 21 at Smales Farm. Expect botanical art, live music, cute planters, colorful pots, jewelry, and skincare so whether you’re looking for adorable little succulents or kokedamas, you can find it all here.

Kiss goodbye those roots and split ends the environmentally-friendly way, here are the very best of the sustainable salons in Auckland. 

You’ve probably heard that the gut is the second brain, or that you are what you eat. If you’re wondering how to approach healthier eating, look no further. The Two Raw sisters are here to help with cookbooks that’ll have you making easy, cost effective plant based dishes.

To feed our obsession with bees we caught up with the founder of Bees Up Top, Jessie Baker to ask her all our burning bee-related questions and to also ask how she ended up championing our tiny buzzy friends.

2020 is officially the year of the staycation, and we can't think of a better spot to spend our next getaway than in the heart of the city itself, at the newly revamped Britomart precinct.

Follow a few of these gems to fill up your feed with sustainable, original and drool-worthy fashion. 

There are times in life when you just need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and treat your body and mind to a little TLC.

We caught up with Natalie Procter ahead of her show at NZFW '19 to talk setting up your own business, teleportation and her life-changing trip to India.

Thrift store, op-shop, charity store… whatever you know it by, Hamilton is home to a plethora of second-hand stores. There’s nothing more satisfying than scouring through racks of pre-loved clothing to discover, like, the coolest vintage jacket, ever—just ask Macklemore.

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, we’re starting the get amped up for the most wonderful time of the year. We’re talkin’ New Zealand’s summer festival season. Across the country, lads and lasses will be locking in tickets to some of the best summer festivals our country has to offer, all promising an epic mash-up of beats, vibes and all round good times in the sunshine. 

As far as dream jobs go, they don’t get much greater than owning your own record label. Top that off with the fact that you’re only 23 years old and you’ve got Perth music mogul in the making, Vincent Tolefe. Transforming his love of beats into Your Angle Records, Tolefe is solid proof that hard work, patience and passion are all the ingredients you need for the kind of day job most could only image.