Climate Action Adventure Race

All aboard for climate action

What happens when you give young people a map, a HOP card, and climate action challenges? They get moving, build confidence, and discover what climate action looks like in their own community.

120 students from Point Chevalier School, Pasadena Intermediate School and Epsom Girls Grammar School took part in a new Climate Action Adventure Race pilot, funded by the Albert‑Eden Local Board.

Travelling by bus, train, and on foot, teams raced between 12 activity stations hosted by local community organisations.

Building confidence on the move

Along the way, students built practical, everyday skills - how to read a timetable, how to plan a route, how to tag on and off. For some, it was their first time on a train. Most importantly, to helped build confidence using public transport in their own neighbourhood.

Albert‑Eden Local Board Chair Margi Watson says the pilot shows the value of investing in place‑based, experiential learning opportunities that empower young people:

“The Climate Action Adventure Race is a fantastic pilot to get our youth engaged with local climate goals and participation, and the pilot also enables confidence with public transport, I hope this great example can lead to an expansion and future races across Tāmaki Makaurau.

The race strengthened teamwork, leadership, creativity, and resilience, as they worked together to solve challenges and manage their time throughout the day.

Climate action, close to home

Each station showed how climate action is already happening across Albert‑Eden, helping students connect the classroom with their local environment and community.

At Waiōrea Community Recycling Centre, students put together an outfit from the op shop in five minutes, sparking conversations about reuse, waste reduction, and circular economy thinking.

Along the Roy Clements Treeway, Urban Ark introduced pest trapping and urban restoration, highlighting how caring for local ngahere and biodiversity strengthens climate resilience.

At Tumeke Cycle Space Community Bike Workshop, students navigated a bike skills course, building confidence, balance, and seeing cycling as a safe, low‑carbon way to get around. transport option.

Another station, run by Neighbourhood Support Tāmaki Makaurau and Auckland Emergency Management, challenged students to pack a grab bag for different emergency scenarios, reinforcing the importance in preparing for future events.

Together, with the other stations, the experience helped students get to know Albert‑Eden’s ecological significance, community assets, and cultural identity, while showing that climate action is easy and something people are already doing around them.

Auckland Council Community Climate Action Advisor Rory Lenihan‑Ikin says the pilot is designed to make climate action practical, engaging, and achievable for rangatahi:

“It’s all about students having a fun, positive experience using public transport with their friends. Making them more familiar and more confident to use it in their everyday lives.”

The Climate Action Adventure Race pilot is part of the Albert‑Eden Local Board’s Climate Activator Programme, supporting people to take local climate action, guided by the board's Climate Action Plan.

By connecting students with local hubs and everyday climate solutions, the pilot demonstrates how hands‑on learning can inspire young people to care for their place and feel confident taking action - both now and into the future.