Grassroots Conservation
Conservation Meets Innovation in Taranaki
The 800 Trust is a grassroots conservation organisation based in Taranaki, founded with a bold vision: to protect native wildlife and restore ecosystems through a unique blend of community action, iwi partnership, and cutting-edge technology. From deploying AI-powered monitoring systems to training rangatahi in conservation mahi, the Trust has quickly become a model for how local initiatives can deliver national impact.
The challenge
Conservation in New Zealand is both urgent and complex.
With 80% of native bird species under threat, groups like the 800 Trust face the dual challenge of restoring ecosystems while competing for visibility, funding, and public support.
While the mahi on the whenua was strong, the Trust lacked a cohesive digital presence and campaign strategy that could amplify their voice, build credibility with funders, and grow a community of engaged supporters.
The strategy
Our approach was to strengthen the 800 Trust’s position in Aotearoa’s conservation landscape by building a strategy centred on storytelling, education, and innovation.
At its heart was the Trust’s authenticity, values-driven mission, and genuine commitment to doing good. We set out to expand visibility beyond local circles through a mix of branding, social channels, and PR. By bringing audiences closer to the people behind the mahi, highlighting the hard, down-to-earth realities of conservation, and celebrating both community supporters and the wonders of the bush, we created content that made conservation personal and compelling. Strategic partnerships with iwi, researchers, and corporates were leveraged to build credibility, while clear, data-driven messaging and storytelling give funders confidence in the Trust’s impact.
The results
The work raised awareness of the 800 Trust beyond Taranaki, building an engaged digital community that now follows and shares the kaupapa.
Storytelling became a way to not only showcase the mahi on the ground but also make the impact relatable for funders and supporters. Their social media accounts created space to acknowledge funders, collaborators, and iwi partnerships in a meaningful way, highlighting how collective effort drives conservation outcomes. This approach strengthened credibility with stakeholders and demonstrated the Trust’s role as a connector between people, technology, and te taiao.
Most importantly, the Trust now has a scalable digital foundation to match the scale of its conservation goals. This foundation positions the 800 Trust as a credible, innovative conservation partner and is creating momentum for deeper partnerships, stronger pathways for long-term funding, and continued growth.
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