Collective Submission by Track Zero and 28 prominent Artists and Scientists
On the Government proposal: Reducing the impact of plastic on our environment – moving away from hard-to-recycle and
single-use items
Track Zero and a group of 28 prominent, individual artists and scientists have joined forces to support the Government’s
proposed ban on a range of single-use and hard-to-recycle plastic products, and are encouraging New Zealanders who care
about waste issues and the climate crisis to do the same.
“Plastics cause lasting damage to our natural world and accelerate climate change. By 2050, plastic production from
fossil fuels is expected to triple, contributing up to 13% of the global carbon budget adding to global warming” said
Sarah Meads, Founder of Track Zero. She added, “The Government’s proposal is really significant because it proposes to
ban many plastic items that are difficult to recycle and are commonly found in our environment”.
Efforts to tackle plastic pollution and to curb global warming require a concerted approach of regulatory and
technological solutions and a re-imagining of our cultural beliefs and practices such as production, consumption,
disposability and convenience.
Tanea Heke, Tumuaki – Te Kura Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School and a signatory to the Collective Submission said, “Arts and
sciences can work together to communicate complex concepts, to change hearts and minds, and to allow people to feel they
can make a difference”. She added, “A dance, song or painting can connect with people on an emotional level, in ways
that scientific statistics and graphs can’t. Both are important ways of communicating – but the visceral response can
help to create entry points that make people feel more engaged and inspired to do something”.
There are many examples where arts-science partnerships have been incredibly effective in communicating a concept, or
they have resulted in measured behaviour change. For example, the award-winning partnership between Siouxsie Wiles
(Microbiologist and Science Communicator) and Toby Morris (Cartoonist and Writer) on COVID-19 and collaborative
initiatives such as ‘The Unseen’, an art-science-community project exploring marine ecosystems and climate change by
Gabby O’Connor (Artist, Science Communicator, Antarctic researcher and PhD candidate).
Many of Aotearoa’s highly celebrated artists already use their creativity and cultural experience to draw attention to
our relationship with oceans, rivers and land and the urgent need to protect our natural world. Artists like Moana
Maniapoto, Miria George, Nina Nawalowalo, Carol Brown, George Nuku, Troy Tu’ua, Nigel Brown, Joseph Michael, Gareth
Farr, Warren Maxwell and Michel Tuffery and many others continue to inspire diverse audiences in communities across
Aotearoa and the world.
Dr Daniel Hikuroa, Earth System’s Scientist who signed himself as ‘Servant to Papatūānuku’ on the Collective Submission
said, “The shift in how we think about our connection with our natural world is integral to how effectively we can
respond and it affects all of us. He commented, “It’s vital for everyone to feel they can be part of making a difference
by drawing on all kinds of skills and knowledge, artistic, scientific, mātauranga Māori and that founded in culture and
personal experience to help bring about a better, more sustainable future for papatūānuku and future generations”.
Track Zero’s Collective Submission supports the Joint Submission prepared by organisations across New Zealand’s wider
zero waste community who’s collective voice applauds the Government’s proposal and leadership around hard-to-recycle and
single-use plastic products, and to suggest changes and additions for the Government to ensure the proposal is
inclusive, ambitious and reflective of our current climate crisis.The Track Zero Collective Submission is signed by 28 individual, prominent Artists and Scientists:Dr Anne-Gaelle Ausseil - Environmental Research ScientistDenise Batchelor - ArtistNigel Brown ONZM - ArtistLynda Chanwai-Earle - Script Writer, Poet, Broadcaster and 2019 IIML Writer in Residence, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria
University of WellingtonDr Daniel Collins - Freshwater and Climate Change ScientistDr David Hall - Lecturer in Politics, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, AUT UniversityProfessor Bronwyn Hayward - Professor of Political Science at University of CanterburyDr Daniel Hikuroa - Servant of PapatūānukuTanea Heke - Tumuaki – Te Kura Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama SchoolProfessor Shaun Hendy - Scientist, Author and Director of Te Pūnaha MatatiniMichaela Keeble - Poet and Children’s Book AuthorLisa McLaren QSM - PhD candidate, Climate ActivistRenee Liang - Writer and DoctorDavid Long - Composer, Musician and ProducerSusan Mabin - ArtistMoana Maniapoto - Musician, Current Affairs hostSarah Meads - Founder/Manager of Track Zero, Development SpecialistJoseph Michael - Visual ArtistJason O’Hara - Designer, Artist and EducatorDella Rees - Visual ArtistLisa Reihana ONZM - ArtistProfessor James Renwick - Head of School, Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences/ Te Kura Tātai Aro Whenua, Victoria
University of Wellington/Te Herenga WakaDr Jenny Rock - Scientist and ArtistRob Ruha - Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Porou – Kōpara-tuhi (Singer/Songwriter)Associate Professor Craig Stevens - OceanographerKelcy Taratoa - ArtistDr Carla van Zon ONZM - Arts Festival Artistic Director, Curator and ProducerKerry Warkia - Producer and Founding Partner of Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Productions
The group is encouraging the wider public to have their say on the consultation. Track Zero’s Collective Submission and
links to resources for groups and individuals to make their own submissions can be accessed on the Track Zero website: https://trackzero.nz/get-involved/reducing-the-impact-of-plastic-on-our-environment-collective-submission/
A link to the Government proposal and submission form can be accessed:
Consultation is open until 4 December 2020.Della Rees ‘Mandala Series II’ (floor piece) 2011. Image credit: supplied by Della Rees.Joseph Michael ‘Voices for the Future’ lit up the United Nations General Assembly and Secretariat buildings in New York.
Image credit: supplied by Joseph Michael