Plan for zero waste on marae

The Para Kore Zero Waste on Marae programme will be piloted on 4 marae in Ruatoria and Te Araroa over the next year thanks to a successful application to Gisborne District Council’s Waste Minimisation Fund.

With on-going support the programme will encourage and promote widespread zero waste behaviour on marae and throughout Maori communities within Te Tairawhiti.

Five applications were received by Council for projects in the community to minimise waste, of which three received funding. The Waste Minimisation Fund was started to help people and organisations get involved in practical solutions to rethink how we deal with waste in the Gisborne district. Council awards $10,000 annually.

The Para Kore programme is currently working with 50 marae across the country. These marae are all diverting between 50% and 85% of their waste from landfill. The vision is that by 2020 all marae within Aotearoa will be working towards zero waste.

Para Kore Marae Incorporated made the funding application and the pilot will be delivered by Panapa Ehau and Jo McKay who live in Ruatoria.

Para Kore means Zero Waste. Zero Waste is about ‘closing the loop’, reducing, reusing, recycling, and composting resources and minimising what is sent to landfill.

Raising awareness about waste minimisation on marae creates ripple effects back to homes, workplaces and communities. It will help normalise waste minimisation behaviours as standard, everyday practice.

Other waste minimisation initiatives that will receive funding are a recycling at public events project and reusable nappies for new parents. A trial nappy will be given to all parents who attend the Plunket Expectant Parents education classes run this year.

The Waste Minimisation Act (2008) allows for a levy to be placed on all waste that goes to landfill. Half of this comes back to councils to implement their Waste Management and Minimisation Plans. The aims of this levy is to improve how we use our resources and reduce the harmful effects of waste, says Anne Lister, Council’s waste minimisation officer.
Applications for the 2014 Waste Minimisation Fund will open later in the year.

If you are interested in the Para Kore programme being delivered at your Marae please contact Panapa on 027 2000 747 or panapaehau@gmail.com. He will be happy to answer any questions you have about Para Kore.

ENDS

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