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TPHS Students Take the Lead on Sustainability

TPHS Students Take the Lead on Sustainability

Vector Group Charitable Trust shares news from Te Puke, Bay of Plenty: students on the Te Puke High School Enviro Committee are leading practical sustainability work on campus — from greener commuting to worm farming, recycling, and native planting.

Since the committee was founded in 2019, members have worked to reduce the school’s carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly habits, inspired in part by global youth climate movements.

Commuting for a cause

The committee recently joined the nationwide Wednesday Challenge, which encourages greener travel. Their team is currently leading its category. Students Danielle Ramirez and Prashanta Siwahang have been strong advocates, including speaking with staff to encourage active travel and carpooling. Learn more on the Wednesday Challenge website.

Environmental sponsorship logos supporting Te Puke High School sustainability projects

From bin to bounty: a new worm farm

The Enviro Committee is tackling waste on campus with a new worm farm. Inspired by a similar project at Aquinas College, students repurposed a disused wheelie bin to turn organic waste into nutrient-rich fertiliser for school gardens. The team is now looking for food scraps and worms to get the system fully running — turning waste into a useful resource for growing.

A legacy of green initiatives

These projects sit within a wider, ongoing effort to make Te Puke High School more sustainable. Achievements so far include:

Grants from TECT and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environmental Enhancement Fund
Power-saving measures — timers on water boilers and switching off hot water cylinders during holidays to reduce electricity use
Solar panels to lower CO₂ emissions and operating costs
Tree planting — including native species such as titoki — for carbon uptake, shade, and a greener campus
Recycling stations trialled to improve waste separation and recovery

Native titoki tree planted as part of Te Puke High School environmental greening

The Enviro Committee’s work shows what student leadership can achieve in Te Puke: small actions — litter clean-ups, smarter energy use, better recycling — add up to meaningful change for the school and the wider community.