Thriving cities: Reweaving ecology, culture and community

What makes a thriving city? Join our monthly Webinar series to explore the path to thriving cities in Aotearoa New Zealand by examining research from the People, Cities & Nature team on:

  • Urban planning and design for biodiversity

  • Cultural partnerships for urban restoration

  • Protecting wildlife and managing pests

  • And uncovering microbiomes in the soil and air that can impact human health.

This event brings together researchers, practitioners, and communities to share knowledge and explore urban ecological restoration and design in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Upcoming events

Presenters: Craig Liddicoat (Flinders University) and Kasey Kiesewetter (University of Waikato)
Date: 29 October 2025
Time: 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm

Functional microbes in urban restoration

This webinar explores the critical role of microbial communities as both indicators and functional drivers of urban ecosystem restoration. Microbial ecologists Craig Liddicoat and Kasey Kiesewetter will present findings from multi-year studies examining shifts in microbial diversity, composition, and metabolic activity throughout restoration trajectories in Aotearoa New Zealand’s urban centres.

 Craig Liddicoat is a post-doctoral researcher at Flinders University in Adelaide. His research uses DNA-based surveys of soils and environments to help better understand the beneficial connections between microbes, soil, plants, ecosystems, and human health. Kasey Keisewetter is a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Waikato. Kasey’s PhD research investigated the restoration of soil microbiomes in the Everglades in Florida.

Register here

Urban soil biodiversity and restoration

Presenters: Dr Andrew Barnes (University of Waikato) and Kiri Wallace (University of Waikato)
Date: November 2025
Time: 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm

This session explores advanced approaches to urban soil system restoration as a foundation for ecological recovery. Dr. Barnes and Dr. Wallace will present research on soil biodiversity assessment methodologies, functional relationships between soil biota and vegetation establishment.

Andrew Barnes investigates plant-soil interactions and their implications for restoration in urban contexts. His research highlights the importance of soil biodiversity in long-term ecosystem recovery. Kiri Wallace is a restoration ecologist at the University of Waikato and Director at Eco-Index. She works at the interface of ecological science and public engagement to foster sustainable restoration outcomes.

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Previous Events

Presenters: Professor Nicky Nelson (Victoria University of Wellington), Dr Chris Woolley (Zealandia) and Diana Methner (PhD student at Victoria University of Wellington)
Date: 27 August 2025

Urban lizards

This Thriving Cities webinar explored the challenges and opportunities of conserving urban lizards in Aotearoa New Zealand. Dr Chris Woolley discussed how lizard populations are impacted by land development and gaps in legal protection and planning. Professor Nicola Nelson and PhD candidate Diana Methner highlighted issues with current mitigation translocations and the need for stronger evidence and consistency in habitat enhancements. Together, the speakers called for better monitoring, early planning, and shared knowledge to improve outcomes for urban lizard conservation.

Use the link on the right to view the webinar recording. Or download the Q&A Resource answering all the questions from the webinar - even the ones we didn’t have time for in person.

Urban Lizards Webinar

Q&A Resource

Presenters: Professor Stephen Hartley (Victoria University of Wellington) and Tamara Encina (Victoria University of Wellington)
Date: 27th August 2025

Predator control in urban environments

This webinar explored predator control in New Zealand cities with Professor Stephen Hartley and PhD researcher Tamara Encina-Becker. Drawing on Predator Free Wellington case studies, they demonstrated biodiversity gains for wētā, fantails, and lizards, alongside challenges like rising mouse populations, offering practical lessons for urban restoration and planning.

Use the link on the right to view the webinar recording.

Urban Predator Control Webinar

Presenters: Professor Bruce Clarkson (University of Waikato) and Sera Gibson (Taranaki Mounga)
Date: 1st October 2025

Case Study of Māori-Led Restoration

Explore how urban ecological restoration in Aotearoa is guided by Kaupapa Māori principles. In this Thriving Cities webinar, Sera Gibson and Professor Bruce Clarkson share insights from the Taranaki Mounga project—empowering iwi, integrating Mātauranga Māori, and restoring connections between people, place, and biodiversity across urban and landscape scales.

Use the link on the right to view the webinar recording.

Māori-Led Restoration