Our Summer Watch, Read & Listen Recommendations ☀️❄️🌊
Summer’s here, the days are long, and whether you’re resting tired legs after a mission, hiding from the nor’westerly or dreaming up your next adventure, we’ve got you covered.
This list is a collection of the recommendations shared by the POW Aotearoa whānau throughout the year, plus a few extra gems from the team. Whether you’re chasing outdoor inspiration, climate education, or a solid dose of hope for the future, this lot delivers.
Chuck one on after a surf, pack one for the hut, or queue something up for the drive south.
🎥 Watch
The Finisher
Jasmin Paris, ultra-runner, co-founder of The Green Runners, and all-round weapon, becomes the first woman ever to finish the brutal Barkley Marathons. Even better? She does it using repaired and reused gear.
Chacha Land
Norwegian skier and climate advocate Nikolai Schirmer takes us skiing in Georgia in search of untouched powder and challenging terrain. A visually stunning reminder of what really matters, with a playful, people-focused exploration of community, joy and skiing.
Dear Super Hero
A beautifully honest film following Aotearoa’s own Janina Kuzma as she navigates becoming a mum while still chasing big mountain skiing. Raw, inspiring, and a must-watch for anyone balancing passion and parenthood.
Champions of the Golden Valley
A story of community, land, and people standing up for what they love. This one dives into grassroots action and the power of collective voices in protecting special places.
The Forest at the Bottom of the World
A journey into ancient, wild forests landscape of the world’s southernmost native forests. Exploring New Zealand’s unique wildlife, and the rich history of human interaction with these remote landscapes.
Beyond The Green Veil
Surfing, snowboarding, and positive climate messaging come together in this feel-good film. Big energy, good vibes, and proof that outdoor culture can lead the way.
Antarctica in a Warming World
An ongoing RNZ short documentary series unpacking the rapid changes happening in Antarctica – and what they mean for Aotearoa. Eye-opening, grounding, and deeply relevant for us here in the South Pacific.
1.5 Degrees: A Global Warning
A powerful NZ-made series following Māori rangatahi leading climate action. Science, culture, and hope woven together in a way that feels both urgent and uplifting.
Think Like a Forest
A love letter to Aotearoa’s native forests and everything they give us – from biodiversity to climate resilience. Lead by Kiwi conservationist icon ‘Sam the Trap Man’, this is a reminder that sometimes the best solutions already exist, quietly doing their thing.
📚 Read
Ball-im-pass-able | Wilderness Magazine
A breathtaking journey over Ball Pass in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, set against a landscape visibly shaped, and threatened, by climate change. Equal parts adventure and reality check.
Tools to Save Our Home Planet: A Changemaker’s Guidebook | Patagonia
Patagonia’s latest book is a practical, well-organised guide compiling wisdom from 56 leaders to help connect passionate outdoor people with real ways to create change.
All of Us Have Pathways to Climate Action | Project Drawdown
This blog is a short but powerful read reminding us that everyone has a role to play – from big system shifts to small everyday actions. No guilt, just options.
Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About Our Planet | Kate Marvel
Climate science meets emotion, awe, anxiety, and love for the outdoors. This book gets why caring for the planet can feel heavy, and why it’s still worth it.
Climate Is Just the Start | Mikaela Loach
Hopeful, energising, and action-focused. Mikaela Loach shows how climate justice connects to everything else, and why collective action is where real change begins.
🎧 Listen
Our Changing World
RNZ’s Dr Claire Concannon heads into the bush, over rivers, and back to the lab to explore some of the most fascinating science happening in Aotearoa. Perfect listening for roadies and rest days.
Because Why?
Where science and nature collide with culture and business. Entrepreneur Brianne West asks the tough questions about what’s actually sustainable, with plenty of myth-busting along the way.
SUSTAIN
The podcast from Ngā Ara Whetū: Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society. Thoughtful conversations on environmental issues facing Aotearoa and the world, with depth and heart.
Where the Climate Things Are
A podcast made for outdoor people who care about climate (without shame or doom). Educational, motivating, and packed with great guests.
Spaceship Earth Podcast (Ep Rec: 103)
A powerful kōrero with Re-Action co-founder Gavin Fernie-Jones on action, repair, grief, and connection to the mountains.
What If We Get It Right (Ep Rec: Earth is our Only Shareholder)
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson hosts expert guests to explore practical climate solutions, spark conversation, and imagine a thriving, climate-smart future. In this episode, she chats with Patagonia’s CEO about corporate responsibility and the role of outdoor brands.
The Kākā
A daily NZ news podcast with a strong focus on climate policy and solutions in Aotearoa. Short, sharp, and perfect for staying informed without doomscrolling.
Share the good stuff
Got a rec we’ve missed? If you’ve been watching, reading, or listening to something that you think other members of the POW community would love, flick it our way!
As we always say, collective action is where it’s at. So help us share the good stuff!
Here’s to a summer of adventure, inspiration, and looking after the places we love 💙❄️🌊
