TextStudents from across the Bay of Plenty gathered to showcase innovative environmental thinking at the 2025 Enviro Challenge, held at Tauranga Girls’ College.

The one-day sustainability competition, organised by social enterprise Sustainability Options, involved 77 students from nine secondary schools.

After a six-year break, the event returned due to popular demand, with Sustainability Options team members Amy Earles and Jo Wills leading the programme.

Tauranga Boys’ College took home the top prize, the Enviro Challenge Award, while Whakatāne High School received the Rising Star Award for their creativity and leadership potential.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council Sustainability and Waste Specialist Ilze Kruis said the competition showed just how capable young people are when it comes to real-world environmental leadership.

“Congratulations to the winners and all the schools participating in the 2025 Enviro Challenge,” Kruis said.

“Your innovative approaches to sustainability have genuinely restored my faith in the younger generation’s ability to implement impactful projects. Keep pushing forward—your efforts are more important than ever.”

Students rotated through five activities, including a sustainability audit of their own schools, an upcycling challenge using mystery waste materials, a structured debate, a photo competition focused on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and a sustainability quiz.

From rainwater collection systems made entirely from reused materials to photo entries that reflected global environmental challenges, students impressed the judges with their creativity and understanding of sustainability.

Tauranga City Council’s Waste Planning Manager Gabriel Hurford said the standard of work made judging difficult.

“The students brought creative ideas, meaningful content, and real passion to the event,” Hurford said. “They are all leading the way in making a positive difference, one step at a time.”

Students also shared projects from their schools involving native planting, food sovereignty, energy and water efficiency, and local environmental partnerships.

Whakatāne District Council Climate Change Advisor Karen Summerhayes said many schools highlighted the challenge of changing behaviour across the school community, but students had demonstrated determination and leadership.

“These young people are certainly leading the way,” Summerhayes said.

The event received support from Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Whakatāne District Council and Sustainability Options.

Participating schools included Te Puke High School, Aquinas College, Pāpāmoa College, Tauranga Boys’ College, Tauranga Girls’ College, Katikati College, Ōtūmoetai College, Mount Maunganui College, and Whakatāne High School.