Terra Nova Foundation

What Terra Nova Foundation does

Terra Nova Foundation is an independent New Zealand-registered charitable trust (CC59192) operating as a global environmental think tank and change activator, founded in 2019 by Rose Challies and headquartered in Ōtautahi Christchurch. The organisation addresses environmental decline through what it frames as a 'root cause' thesis: a broken relationship between people and the natural world, addressed via three pillars — training individual changemakers, supporting organisational transformation, and leading a large-scale regional regenerative initiative.

Its core products include the School for Changemakers (a 6-month immersion course with online and in-person delivery in Christchurch, priced NZ$2,200 for NZ residents and NZ$4,200 internationally), the Earth+ Mark of Excellence (an in-person organisational accreditation), the Earth+ Resilience and Emissions Reduction Programme for not-for-profits (fully funded by Rātā Foundation), the Earth Talks podcast, the book 'One Year, One You, One Planet' published by wholly-owned subsidiary Terra Nova Press, the Terra Nova Initiative (a Waitaha/Canterbury regional regenerative project), the annual Te Ao Earth Week event, the Global Earth Leaders advisory group, and an Earth+ Online Course in development.

The revenue model combines donations (the primary funding source, collected via TSB Bank NZ transfer and PayMinty), course tuition, book sales, and event sponsorships. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on a network of 80+ Expert Advisors globally, trustees (David Meates, Mariann Matai), Founding Advisor Anake Goodall, and partnerships with Christchurch City Council, Seed the Change, BDO, Craigs Investment Partners, Kura Tawhiti Foundation, Gift Trust NZ, ELWIN, Pub Charity Limited, Nutrient Rescue, and PayMinty. There is no proprietary technology platform; the offering is content, curriculum, accreditation, events, and advisory services rather than software.

Name

Terra Nova Foundation

Legal name

Terra Nova Foundation

Website

https://terranova.foundation

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Terra Nova Foundation is an independent New Zealand environmental think tank and registered charity that trains individual changemakers, accredits organisations through its Earth+ Mark of Excellence, and runs the School for Changemakers course, Earth Talks podcast, and regional regenerative initiatives, funded by donations, course fees, and partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education and Sustainability Training

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs (BPADALAF), Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES) (IMAMAJAK)

Keywords

• Environmental education programmes
• Sustainability training courses
• Changemaker training
• Earth-focused consulting
• Regenerative transformation initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Ōtautahi Christchurch

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Giving: The organization is entirely funded through donations and help of supporters. They receive donations via bank transfer (TSB Bank NZ) and card payments through PayMinty. The work is described as critical environmental action supported by generous donors.
2. Education Programme Fees: School for Changemakers 6-month immersion course generates revenue through tuition fees: NZ$2,200 for NZ residents, NZ$4,200 for international students. Early enrollment discounts of 20% available. Payment plans available by arrangement with limited scholarships for financially challenged participants.
3. Book Sales: Publication and sale of 'One Year, One You, One Planet' book published by Terra Nova Press - 365 actions for change that can be done individually or with family, friends and colleagues.
4. Event Sponsorships and Hosting: Opportunities for people to host or sponsor events and activities that raise funds while celebrating environmental action.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Terra Nova Foundation is an independent global think tank and change activator that delivers environmental action programmes including a 6-month School for Changemakers training course, an Earth+ Mark of Excellence organisational accreditation, and the Earth+ Resilience and Emissions Reduction Programme for not-for-profits. It complements these with thought-leadership content such as the Earth Talks podcast, the book 'One Year, One You, One Planet', the Terra Nova Initiative for large-scale urban-rural regenerative transformation, and the annual Te Ao Earth Week event in Christchurch.

Product overview

Terra Nova Foundation operates as a global think tank and change activator offering a portfolio of interconnected environmental action programs and initiatives. The core offerings include the School for Changemakers (a 6-month training program for emerging changemakers), the Earth+ Mark of Excellence (an accreditation program for environmentally-aligned organizations), and the Earth+ Resilience and Emissions Reduction Programme (support for not-for-profits). Complementary offerings include the Earth Talks Podcast (expert interviews on environmental action), the One Year One You One Planet book (365 environmental actions), the Terra Nova Initiative (large-scale regenerative transformation), and Te Ao Earth Week (annual action event). An Earth+ Online Course is currently under development for global organizational resilience training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• School for Changemakers: A 6-month training course for people 18 years and older to develop skills, clarity, and community to become effective changemakers. Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch with online and in-person tuition.
• Earth+ Mark of Excellence
• Terra Nova Initiative
• Earth Talks Podcast
• Terra Nova Press

Quantifiable outcome

• A 2015 Swedish study found that moving your money to sustainable investments can have 27 times more impact on your carbon footprint than all your other lifestyle choices combined.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Christchurch City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Earth+ Resilience and Emissions Reduction Programme alongside Rātā Foundation, supporting not-for-profits to become resilient and reduce carbon emissions.
• ScratchminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWebsite design partner credited for creating the Terra Nova Foundation website. Digital/AI and website management services.
• Seed the ChangeminorOthersListed as a key supporter. Seed The Change is a New Zealand organisation focused on regenerative initiatives, aligned with Terra Nova's mission.
• ELWINminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey supporter, ELWIN (possibly Environmental Leadership Network or similar) aligned with Terra Nova's changemaker focus.
• Nutrient RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey supporter - environmental organisation focused on nutrient management and water quality.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Natural Step: Sweden-based sustainability research and strategy organisation that originated the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development. Directly comparable to Terra Nova as a think-tank-style non-profit advising organisations on systemic sustainability transformation and producing practitioner training programmes.
• Forum for the Future: UK-based sustainability non-profit running training, fellowships, and scenario programmes for changemakers. Closely analogous in mission (transforming the relationship between people and planet), delivery model (training + organisational programmes), and convening function (Global Earth Leaders mirrors Forum's networks).
• B Lab Global: Operates the B Corp certification — an independent, third-party verified accreditation for organisations meeting social and environmental performance standards. The Earth+ Mark of Excellence is structurally analogous, and both compete for the same 'credible accreditation' positioning in the anti-greenwashing market.
• Project Drawdown: US-based climate solutions research and communications organisation reviewing and ranking interventions for reducing atmospheric CO2. Comparable as a research-driven climate think tank producing frameworks, expert convening, and educational content aimed at accelerating practical climate action.
• Climate Reality Project: Founded by Al Gore, this organisation trains climate leaders globally and runs high-profile convenings and communications campaigns. Comparable to Terra Nova's School for Changemakers in training practitioners, and to Te Ao Earth Week in running flagship public events.
• Bioneers: US-based non-profit producing an annual conference, media, and leadership programmes focused on breakthrough environmental and social solutions. Strong overlap with Terra Nova's Te Ao Earth Week (conference/event format), School for Changemakers (leadership training), and podcast (Bioneers Radio).
• Earth Charter Initiative: International non-profit promoting the Earth Charter as a global ethical framework for sustainable and just ways of living. Comparable as a values- and principles-driven environmental foundation supporting organisational adoption of earth-centred practices.
• Commonland: Dutch foundation developing and replicating large-scale landscape restoration (4 Returns) projects across multiple continents. Directly analogous to the Terra Nova Initiative as a replicable regional regeneration model that combines landscape, community, and economic outcomes.
• Doughnut Economics Action Lab: UK-based non-profit promoting Kate Raworth's Doughnut Economics framework as a regenerative and distributive alternative to conventional growth models. Comparable as a think tank producing frameworks used by cities and organisations pursuing earth-aligned transformation.

Regional players

• Pure Advantage: New Zealand-based think tank and charitable trust producing research and advocacy on green growth, clean technology, and sustainable business. The closest domestic peer, sharing NZ context, sustainability research orientation, and reliance on NZ philanthropic and corporate partners (BDO and others).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@terranovafoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/terranovafoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Terra Nova Foundation