Millie Stead

Is there a project or initiative that you have been particularly proud to be involved in?

I’m lucky to be surrounded by such a passionate network of people and organisations supporting this Kaupapa across Ōtautahi. Lately, I’ve been seeing a big increase in youth-led projects in parks.  Last year I supported a community co-designed playground build: Local students bring fresh ideas to Hoon Hay Park : Newsline which was an awesome learning curve.

This year has been big for play and recreation projects, especially bike jumps. I’ve been supporting a group of young people advocating for a jump area in their local park. It’s not always easy for young people to have their voices heard, so being able to support them through that process is hugely rewarding.

I’ve also had the opportunity to learn a lot about pā harakeke and maintaining these taonga for weaving and harvest. One site has undergone near full restoration thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers. 

I’m consistently inspired by the environmental volunteer groups I work with. There’s something special about getting stuck in with a bunch of everyday people and working hard for a good cause. It all feels very human.

How can individuals get more involved in caring for their local parks and shared spaces?

Honestly, just spend more time in them. Parks are third spaces, and just being there is a good start.

There are heaps of restoration groups that meet regularly across the city. Some workplaces are supportive of one-off volunteering too, so ask your boss! I once had someone ask about volunteering with all their wedding guests instead of having a reception, which is iconic, and my colleague has hosted “spade-dating” events on Valentine’s Day, so there’s something for everyone.

There are heaps of ways to get involved outside of volunteering too. Downloading iNaturalist is a great way to start getting curious about what’s around you, and Canterbury Stories is also a great rabbit hole if you’re into local history.

A big part of caring is just paying attention. Parks are where the built and natural environments sort of collide, and the more people understand that relationship, the more they tend to care and get involved in decision making around how they look and feel.

At the end of the day, it’s a lot bigger than trees and grass, it’s about feeling like you’ve got a place in your space.

What memories or experiences stand out when looking back at your time at UC?

The biggest lightbulb moment for me was genuinely learning how the world worked. Learning about statistics and research methods for the first time was mind blowing (after a few meltdowns). Being able to critically engage with information and data gave me a lot more confidence in my thinking.

Outside of that, there are some pretty classic uni memories and some very late nights in Ernest Rutherford. In my last year, I did a community partnership project which really rounded things off. It got me out into the real world and I’ve used every bit of that experience in my job since. I’ve also been lucky enough to stay connected with some of the partner organisations my cohort worked with, so it all feels a bit full circle looking back. I’m lucky now to work in some of the most beautiful parks in the city, but I do miss the UC campus, especially in autumn.