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.
Urban forest soil biodiversity and restoration
Presenters: Dr Andrew Barnes (University of Waikato) and Kiri Wallace (University of Waikato, Eco-Index)
Date: 25 November 2025
Time: 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
This session explores approaches to urban forest soil ecosystem restoration. Dr. Andrew Barnes and Dr. Kiri Joy Wallace will present research on soil biodiversity assessment methodologies, and relationships between soil biota and forest establishment.
Andrew Barnes investigates how habitat degradation and restoration impact soil food webs. His research highlights the importance of protecting and restoring soil biodiversity for ecosystem and human health. Kiri Wallace is a restoration ecologist at the University of Waikato and Director at Eco-index. She works at the interface of ecological science, business and government to foster biodiversity investment across sectors.
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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
Presenters: Dr Kasey Kiesewetter (University of Waikato) and Dr Craig Liddicoat (Flinders University)
Date: 29th October 2025
Microbes in urban restoration
This webinar explores the role of microbial communities in urban ecosystem restoration. Dr Kasey Kiesewetter (University of Waikato) presents research on how soil microbiomes change across restored and unrestored sites in New Zealand cities, while Dr Craig Liddicoat (Flinders University) discusses links between soil biodiversity and human health. Hosted by Rachel Nepia for the People, Cities and Nature programme, the session examines how microbial diversity influences ecological recovery and resilience in urban environments.
Use the link on the right to view the webinar recording.