About Transition Nelson Groups

One of the roles of Transition Nelson is to inspire, motivate, nurture and network community initiated projects that move us towards a more vibrant, resilient, sustainable future that is less dependent on fossil fuels.

All of Transition Nelson’s Groups are aligned with this philosophy and have been initiated by the community. Groups have changed over time responding to local issues and concerns. They have been identified by and emerged from our community’s interest to build resilience and reduce dependency on fossil fuels in specific areas.

Activities that have been undertaken by some of the past and current groups include:

Energy Group - have developed simple DIY kits for a solar hot water heater and solar dessicator

Governance Group - have submitted Transition Nelson ideas into Nelson City Council's Annual Plan and Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP)

Nelson Growables - held a very successful event in 2009 that aimed to inspire and encourage the growing trend towards growing vegetables and fruit, and tending gardens, and provide an affordable self-sustaining garden focussed community event. This group has now become an independent trust.

Transport Group - formed Sustainable Transport Futures (STF) in response to the Regional Transport Commitee's (RTC) Transport Corridor Study. STF now has representatives on both Councils' RTCs working to promote and embed a range of sustainable transport initiatives.

Waste Group - initiated a Bring Your Own Container (BYOC) campaign to promote reusing by encouraging individuals to use their own cups for take-away coffees, use reusable shopping bags, take their own plates and cutlery to events, and use their own containers for takeaway food and fresh produce in shops. The group developed a fun poster that was used by retailers to promote the scheme and show their support for it (poster attached at the end of the page).

Each group has its own autonomy and is self organising. The group covers an area which is of importance to the future of Nelson and aims to demonstrate to the wider community the sorts of changes individuals, households, businesses and the community as a whole can be making.

Current Transition Nelson groups are listed in the menu box to your right. To find out more about a group or to join, simply click on the group of interest to you. If you are interested in starting a new group or project please contact Elizabeth on 545 9176 or info@transitionnelson.org.nz.