Sustainable Spring | He Kōanga Toitū
Important information for organisations interested in hosting workshops and events
Kia ora. Thanks for your interest in running an event or workshop as part of the “Sustainable Spring” programme in 2026. Please read the following important information.
Background and (purpose)
The purpose of the Sustainable Spring programme is to encourage and inspire sustainability related education, action and community connection through a range of workshops, events and learning opportunities across Kāpiti communities.
Sustainable Spring is a collaboration between Council and community. Council coordinates, promotes and provides funding towards the programme. Most workshops and events are run by organisations from within Kāpiti or the wider Wellington region.
In light of the current fuel crisis, where possible the 2026 programme will include a focus on household energy efficiency and local food security.
The 2026 programme will run during September and October.
Running a workshop or event as part of Sustainable Spring 2026
Changes for 2026: Managing bookings
To simplify the bookings process for everybody involved, in 2026 we are asking workshop providers to manage their own bookings. Please see “Event registrations and attendance” below for more details.
Alignment with Council values
In alignment with community values, Council supports workshops and events which are inclusive and respectful to all workshop/ event organisers and participants. Council reserves the right to refuse workshops or events from the Sustainable Spring programme if Council judges that the workshop or event proposal does not align with these core values.
Dates and scheduling
The Sustainable Spring programme aims to run workshops and events over approximately 9 weeks between the start of September and late October. We will aim to run 2-3 workshops/ events each week. Please refer to key dates listed below when planning your workshop/ event.
You may apply to run more than one workshop/ event during Sustainable Spring, but in the case of scheduling clashes, priority will be given to organisations seeking to run their first workshop/ event over organisations seeking to run their second or third workshop/ event.
Please include one preferred and one second choice date for each workshop/ event you would like to run. This will assist us with scheduling. If we cannot accomodate either of your preferred dates, we will be in touch to explore further options.
Council contribution
We recognise there is a cost involved in running any workshop or event, including planning time, resources/materials, expertise, and time associated with workshop pack down/ follow-up. Council can support your workshop/ event with the following contributions:
- $250 (plus GST if applicable) for shorter workshops/ events (1–2 hours)
- $400 (plus GST if applicable) for half-day workshops/ events (3–4 hours)
- $600 (plus GST if applicable) for full-day workshops/ events (6–8 hours)
These prices are inclusive of planning time, resources/materials, expertise, and time associated with workshop pack down/ follow-up
In addition, Council can also contribute to hire costs for community venues
Some variation on these contributions may be possible in some situations, e.g. for large groups hosting workshops/ events.
Event registrations and attendance:
All Sustainable Spring workshops/ events will be included in an online calendar of events with a tokify booking tile.
Council can also create a Facebook event for you, or you can create your own Facebook event and invite Council to co-host (see note on Facebook co-hosting below).
Open events
Sustainable Spring workshops/ events that do not have capacity restrictions may not require registrations. Council will add these events to the programme calendar, and Council can create or co-host events on facebook (see note on Facebook co-hosting below).
Important note on Facebook event co-hosting:
Creating your own Facebook event, and inviting Council to co-host, will help your workshop/ event reach a greater audience because your event will be promoted through both your Facebook network and through Councils.
If you create an event for your workshop/ event on Facebook, invite Council to co-host the event and let us know you have done so at [email protected]. Facebook does not send automatic notifications of invitations to co-host.
Health and Safety
Please note that all Health and Safety planning will need to be carried out by the workshop/ event organiser. Council is not responsible for any risks associated with planning and running the workshop/ event, nor any losses or damages incurred to people or property during workshops and events.
Advertising
Please note that while Council will promote the Sustainable Spring programme through various channels, any promotion you can do for the programme and your event will help to ensure good attendance. Feel free to share promotion material on social media and websites, and to put up posters on your premises as appropriate. Please let Council know if we can help with any of this.
Confirmation of workshops and events
Expressions of interest to host Sustainable Spring workshops/ events are open until Friday June 26. Once expressions of interest close we will confirm details with workshop/ event hosts, and schedule workshops/ events into the programme calendar.
You will need to sign a sponsorship agreement before your event goes ahead.
Low registration numbers for workshops and events
Please note that Council reserves the right to postpone or cancel a workshop should registration numbers be considered too low to for the event to be viable.