Our commitment to a Sustainable Environment
At The Y, sustainability means more than reducing emissions or saving dollars - it’s about building a future-ready organisation that delivers lasting impact. We’re acting with care for the future and making choices today that protect tomorrow.
Stepping forward on our journey, we are guided by the global YMCA’s commitment to a sustainable planet.
Our approach brings together five key areas:
- Environmental action: We’re developing a plan to track and reduce our emissions, restore local ecosystems, and meet compliance standards because climate action starts at home.
- Social impact networks: We’re growing a national movement of volunteers, youth leaders, student interns, and advisory panels who drive real change in our communities.
- Financial health: We’re focused on fair revenue, fundraising, sponsorship, and partnerships that ensure The Y continues to fund the social causes that mean the most to us, as well as remain independent, strong, and community-led.
- Governance and partnerships: We work with trusted partners including service providers, businesses, government, and the Global Y network to extend our reach and amplify our voice.
- Smarter facilities: We’re creating best-practice systems to manage our buildings more efficiently and plan for future growth in a way that’s cost-effective and sustainable.
Together, these efforts ensure The Y is built to last by creating long-term value for youth, communities, and the environment.
Our Local impacts
A river restored – and a generation inspired
After repeated floodings by Hunua’s Wairoa River, The Y has launched a major restoration project to protect the area for the future. With support from local iwi, Counties Energy, and environmental experts, we’ve begun clearing invasive trees from the riverbanks - reducing flood risk and creating space for native plants to thrive. Young people employed through the Ministry of Social Development have been part of this mahi, gaining skills, confidence, and a new connection to the environment. Visiting schools will soon join the effort too, through our new “Nature’s Classroom” programme, where tamariki can get hands-on planting and learn how to care for the environment. It’s all about turning damage into opportunity—and building a legacy of conservation for generations to come.
Young people leading ideas into action
At The Y, young people aren’t just talking about sustainability - they’re leading it. Through The Y’s Raise Up youth development programme, they’re running beach cleanups, planting trees, volunteering with Everybody Eats, and finding creative ways to make a difference in their own communities. Our Youth Advisory panel is also shaping The Y’s future by coming up with bold ideas and turning them into action. It’s all about backing rangatahi to lead change where it matters most.
We know we’ve got more steps ahead of us, but as part of a global movement, and with the future of our tamariki and rangatahi at the centre – we’re committed to doing our bit.