He Māhuri Tōtara: Growing Christian Environmental Leadership in Aotearoa

This unique initiative, part of A Rocha’s commitment to Christian environmental leadership formation, brought together 20 young leaders from across Aotearoa for a week of learning, connection and reflection. The camp focuses on developing youth environmental leadership within a Christian framework. Participants left with changed perspectives, greater awareness of their call to care for creation, and deeper relationships with each other, the land and God.

A Transformational Experience

Many participants described the camp as life-changing. One young leader reflected, “Honestly, it’s changed my whole perspective, so I’m very grateful to have come.” Another shared that the camp “really helps young Christian leaders feel a connection to others and take ownership of the creation care space in Aotearoa.” Participants learned about the environmental challenges facing Aotearoa and how their Christian faith calls them to respond.

For some, the camp experience was a rare opportunity to explore creation care in a deeply personal and spiritual way. As well as time spent in prayer, reflection and Bible study, the programme included volunteering in a native plant nursery, conservation tree planting at Rāpaki Marae, visiting local conservation projects, and a tramp into Woolshed Creek Hut.

The unique space allowed young leaders to reflect on their faith and the environment in ways that are often neglected in other Christian contexts. One participant remarked, “It’s something you can’t really experience anywhere else, and it’s a very special thing.”

The integration of te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) into the programme was another powerful aspect for participants. The camp provided an opportunity for many to experience te reo Māori in a new light. One participant said, “I really liked learning lots of new things. It was also cool having instructions said in Māori and then in English.” This bilingual approach to learning also reinforced the interconnectedness of creation care, indigenous knowledge, and Christianity.

Building Leaders for Creation Care

The name of the camp, He Māhuri Tōtara, carries deep meaning. In te ao Māori, a tōtara is a symbol of strength and leadership. A māhuri tōtara is a young tōtara sapling, representing potential and growth. The camp was designed to cultivate these young saplings - our future leaders - and nurture them into strong and resilient tōtara, ready to lead in creation care.

The camp equipped participants with both theological and practical tools. Through workshops, wānanga and hands-on environmental activities, they engaged with deep questions about the Bible’s call to care for creation and how that intersects with their own lives.

James Beck and Mo Morgan from the Eco Church team led many of these conversations, providing guidance on how to integrate Christian theology and environmental action. For one participant, this intersection of faith and environment felt like the camp was helping “put the Christ back in Christian.”

Deepening Connections and Community

In addition to the spiritual and environmental lessons, He Māhuri Tōtara fostered a strong sense of community with participants making deep connections with others during the camp. As one participant noted, “It felt really cool to be around people similar to me.” Another said, “I cried my little heart out and felt real heartache for the world, other people, and also my actions. During this session, I felt a true sense of belonging and community, and hope for a better future.”

The emotional and spiritual connections formed during karakia o te pō (night prayers) were particularly powerful. These times of vulnerability and honesty allowed participants to reflect on their personal journeys and share their experiences with others in the group. One participant said, “It was really special. I got to see how God had touched all of us and was moving with us.” 

The camp’s focus on both individual and collective reflection allowed participants to engage with big questions about creation care, faith and their roles as future leaders.

The Future of He Māhuri Tōtara

He Māhuri Tōtara is more than just a camp; it is a growing movement of young people passionate about the intersection of faith and environmental action. As the movement continues to grow, it will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the next generation of Christian environmental leaders in Aotearoa. In addition to the annual He Māhuri Tōtara, next year, there are plans for two three-day events for youth leaders and youth pastors.