Challenges for August

Enrol to vote in this year’s elections if you haven’t already here. Then take a bit of time to browse each party’s policies. Labour and National are always in the news but you might find a smaller party that suits your values. It’s also a good idea to find out your electorate and the candidates in that area. Try the parliament website as a starting point.

 

Got something to say about the issues of the world (or in your community), don’t keep them to yourself. Why not write to the letters section of your local paper, start a message board topic up, write a blog, start a discussion with your friends and family, or even write to a politician. Finding like minded people can encourage you to form a group or find ways to take action. Even finding people who disagree prompts you to reaffirm your argument. Why not even head along to a protest and get you and your friends into the spirit of things.

 

Buying fair trade items – Trade Aid is a good place to start, avoiding battery farm chickens and eggs, checking that your jewellery isn’t part of the Blood Diamonds trade, spending a bit more and buying NZ made when you can, purchasing eco-friendly cleaning supplies, getting cosmetics that don’t test on animals, etc will all do the world a bit of good. Find a few brands that you can trust and know where your goods are coming from. Try Scarborough Fair, Ecostore and Nutrimetics for starters.

 

Sign up for a tree planting day and don’t be afraid to get muddy. All that digging is great exercise and your energy is put to ensuring we keep the beautiful nature of NZ in the future. Shakespeare and Long Bay have regular planting days or look out for some in your area. You could also go out to your neighbourhood, nearby park or beach one afternoon, take a big rubbish bag and clean up litter. To make it fun do it instead of a jog or coffee with your girlfriend one day.

The number of charities in NZ is abundant and they’re always looking for more volunteers. The feeling of personally helping out even just one person can’t be beaten. Why not choose one in area of your interest. If you have Asthma you might want to give back to the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, if you love performing try StarJam which helps mentally disabled youth through performance art, work with animals at a place like Animals SOS Trust, or try mentoring programmes such as Brothers in Arms where you do fun activities with a kid from a troubled community. See the list of NZ charities here to get started.