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.
Maramataka in Urban restoration
Presenters: Dr Erana Walker (University of Waikato) and Wiremu Puke (Ngāti Wairere)
Date: 16 December 2025
Time: 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
This session examines the integration of maramataka into urban restoration methodologies. Dr Erana Walker and Wiremu Puke will present learnings from a waananga series aimed at reconnecting local communities with mātauranga in Hamilton City through the lens of urban restoration. They will demonstrate the importance of co-creating restoration activities that aim to restore both people and culture alongside nature.
Dr Erana Walker is a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Waikato. Her research focuses on ways that indigenous peoples connect with nature in urban settings. Erana's work encourages leadership and empowerment of Māori in nature restoration. Wiremu Puke is a cultural historian and a master carver whose work centers on reviving traditional knowledge to guide ecological restoration. He brings a deep understanding of local whakapapa, whenua, and customary stewardship.
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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.
Microbes in Urban Restoration
Presenters: Dr Kiri Wallace (University of Waikato & Eco-Index) and Dr Andrew Barnes (University of Waikato)
Date: 25th of November 2025
Urban forest soil biodiversity and restoration
In this Thriving Cities webinar, University of Waikato researchers Dr Kiri Wallace and Dr Andrew Barnes unpack the importance of soil biodiversity in urban forest restoration. They explain the roles of fungi, invertebrates and microbes in supporting healthy ecosystems, share new research from sites across Aotearoa, and highlight how soil communities evolve as restored forests mature. The session offers practical guidance for monitoring soil health and for restoring biodiverse, resilient urban soils—emphasising plant diversity, habitat complexity and the value of organic matter.
Use the link to view the webinar recording.