Sustainability Week (6-12 May) will feature a wide range of events, including a fair-trade hui, a clothing swap and a night market with live music, student side hustles and local food trucks.
A film festival featuring a range of short films on environmental and social sustainability will be one of the highlights of Sustainability Week (6-12 May).
Maddie Ford
Tētēkura (student lead) in charge of events Maddie Ford says the idea behind the Unpacked Film Festival is to encourage critical thinking and kōrero about climate-related topics.
“We hope that by discussing our ideas, we can increase awareness and reduce climate anxiety,” says Maddie, who is in her third year of a Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Agricultural Innovation and Molecular Biotechnology
The week will feature a wide range of events, including a Fair Trade Hui and a night market with live music, student side hustles and local food trucks.
“The team at the Sustainability Office do amazing work all year round, however, sometimes it’s not so visible to the broader student population. This week is important for students because it puts everything susty at the forefront of their minds. The more visible we are, the easier it is for students to pick up new sustainably minded habits.
“We aim to inspire and empower students to take action towards a more sustainable future, while also fostering a sense of community and collective responsibility for our environment.”
- Questions about Sustainability Week can go to sustainability@otago.ac.nz
At a glance... what's happening during Sustainability Week.
What’s happening during the week
Monday, 6 May
- Fair Trade Hui to discuss the importance of Fair Trade products. 2-3pm, Te Oraka.
- GC Cafe in collaboration with the Social Impact Studio. This event will showcase the mahi of Tawfique Rahman around designing playful cities. 5.30pm, Te Oraka
Tuesday, 7 May
- Bike Grabs. 11am-1pm, outside Castle 1.
- Night Market with live music, student side hustles and local food trucks. 4.30-7.30pm, Auahi Ora
Wednesday 8 May
- Te Oraka Cluster. 11am-1pm, in the Link.
- Neighbourhood shared kai for residents of the Sustainability Neighbourhood and anybody involved in sustainability-related mahi. 5.30pm, Te Rua Tī (379 Leith St). This will be hosted in Te Oraka if the weather is bad.
- Careers in food & fibre. 5.30-7pm, OBS1.17.
Thursday, 9 May
- Te Oraka (the uni Op Shop) will have free bagels. 11am-1pm, 109 St David Street.
- Unpacked Film Festival showcasing a range of films unpacking social and environmental sustainability issues and featuring a panel of experts: Roma Donaldson-Gush, Rasha Abu Safieh Alfar, Catherine Barriga, and Ray O'Brien to discuss the films and reduce climate anxiety. 6-9pm,Te Oraka.
*Tickets are free. Sign up via the link on the Te Oraka Instagram bio.
Saturday, 11 May
- Super Swap Saturday with SEA (Students for Environmental Action) during Te Oraka open times. 11am-1pm. Will include a 1-for-1 clothing swap event.
Sunday, 12 May
- SEA Garden Bee, 1pm, at SEA Garden, corner of Fourth and Dundas Street.
Throughout the week
- Te Oraka (the uni Op Shop at 109 St David Street) is open during usual hours throughout the week (Wed, Thurs, Sat from 11am-1pm)
- Sustainability team members will be in the Link between 11am-1pm on Tuesday and Wednesday to showcase the work of:
Southern Youth Development for 'Bike Grabs'
Stitch Kitchen for 'Sip & Sew's’
Curtain bank, selling their products in store and promoting their services to keep the heat in student flats.
E-Rescue team keeping old university tech products, such as computers and monitors, in use for longer and educating students on the importance of averting tech products from landfill.
–– Kōrero by Internal Communications Adviser Laura Hewson