Have you visited some Backyards, Builds and/or Farms in 2025?

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This spring, the Taranaki Sustainable Trails returns for its 11th year—bigger, bolder, and more inspiring than ever.
From October 31 to November 16, the region will come alive with 42 open properties and over 50 events designed to spark curiosity, connection, and action. After the success of last year, you'll now find sustainable backyards, builds and farms as part of the lineup.

What began as a community garden trail over a decade ago has flourished into Aotearoa’s longest-running sustainability showcase. In 2025, the event spans backyard gardens, regenerative farms, and eco-conscious builds—each one offering practical ideas and heartfelt stories from locals walking the talk.

Each property and host have their own unique story of trying things a bit differently, perseverance and ingenuity. With a mixture of returning and new properties, our incredible hosts will kōrero with you to share what they have learned, their ideas and tips that have manifested into the backyard, build or farm you will experience.

We have worked with generous sponsors and supporters to develop an exciting list of events this year. With notable speakers covering topics from growing your own mushrooms to electrifying your farm, our events are affordable and expansive.
Be sure to book your tickets, spaces are limited and they will sell out!

Images: (Left) Mike Casey, CEO Rewiring Aotearoa will speak at two of our Feature Events: Electrify Your Farm, and Electrify Your Whare (Monday 10 November), (Centre) Ōkato Earth, a Sustainable Builds Property 2025 (Right) Jamie Silk from Silk Farm, a property in our Farms Trail in 2025, will speak about silvopasture and their lifestyle block methods build regenerative land.

Sustainable Backyards: Affordable, Family-Friendly, and Full of Learning

Whether you're a seasoned gardener, a curious parent, or just starting your sustainability journey, our Backyards Trail has something for everyone. With a growing number of whānau friendly events, the Backyards Trail is designed to be accessible, welcoming, and packed with opportunities to learn—composting, growing, reusing, resource efficiency and so much more. Pick and choose where and how you’ll learn.

*Images: Little Insect Farm (Left), Blue Cypress Haven (Centre), the Medicine Place (right).*

What’s On

42 Properties Across Taranaki: Backyards of all shapes and sizes, community gardens and schools, eco-builds from businesses, homes and community hubs, as well as farms and orchards make up our outstanding properties this year.
50+ Events: Dive into workshops, guided tours, free and koha talks, and hands-on demonstrations, it’s easy to find something that suits your budget and interests.
Three Sustainable Trails:

Backyard Trail: Explore creative, healthy low-cost garden setups and meet the passionate people behind them. All 2025 properties are listed here.
Builds Trail: Visit eco-conscious homes, businesses and community hubs with sustainability in mind throughout the design and build process. More on sustainablebackyards.org.nz/all-builds
Farms Trail: Walk through regenerative farms, organic orchards, and learn how farmers are adopting different measures to be more environmentally minded and sustainable on their farms. More on sustainablebackyards.org.nz/all-farms

What you need to know: Key information for Sustainable Trails 2025

Preparation is key when planning your Sustainable Trails adventure this year, so here’s some tips from the our team:

1 - Know what’s on and when

Backyards Trail (31 Oct – 9 Nov)

with 21 backyards open 10am-4pm weekends and various midweek hours, plus 8 community and school gardens with set hours.

Builds & Farms Trails (10 - 16 Nov)

with 11 properties, each offering set tours. All builds and farms tours must be booked through online registration.

Over 50 events including free and koha talks at host properties. Bookings need to be made in advance.
Information and booking for all Sustainable Trails events is on the website: www.sustainablebackyards.org.nz

2 - How much does it cost?

Backyard visits are $3 cash (Backyard Bundle cards available).
Builds and farms tours are mostly free, although some have a small charge and inclusions (all require registration to secure a spot)
Backyards, builds and farms events are a range of prices, from free up to $85, and bookings need to be made online.

3 - Backyards are for everyone!

This year, you can visit nine of our backyards with your four-legged friends. Dogs must be on lead, and don’t forget to bring your doggie bag.
Many backyards are wheelchair accessible, have a wharepaku available, or seedlings for sale.
There are dedicated activities for kids at 13 whānau-friendly backyards, including community and school garden events.

3 - Get around (sustainably)

Join an eBike tour around urban backyards or know where you can secure your bike if pedalling independently.
Book yourself on a Lil’ Boutique Mini Bus Tour – for a special small-group backyards tour including lunch.
Carpool with friends and family if you can.
Tag us on socials in a photo of you with your bike helmet at a backyard and get free seeds!

We want to thank all of our hosts, sponsors and supporters for making this event happen.

Interested in learning more about Taranaki Sustainable Trails 2025?

Visit Taranaki Sustainable Trails website - www.sustainablebackyards.org.nz
Book events on the Taranaki Sustainable Trails website - www.sustainablebackyards.org.nz/allevents
Visit and follow Taranaki Sustainable Trails on Facebook and on Instagram.
Make contact with the organisers of Taranaki Sustainable Trails via Sustainable Taranaki

Sustainable Trails 2025: Building on our Trails, Growing Ideas, Growing Community