Conference on sustainability for NZ’s first Green Globe community

Kaikoura’s landmark switch to sustainable economic, environmental and tourist growth will be highlighted at a major conference in the little South Island coastal town this week.

Leading national speakers including Environment Minister Marian Hobbs, BP New Zealand managing director Peter Griffiths and Tourism New Zealand chairman Wally Stone will present papers on the future of Kaikoura at the conference on Thursday and Friday after it received international Green Globe certification earlier this year.

Kaikoura became the first tourist resort in New Zealand to receive Green Globe environmental and sustainable approval and the conference this week was planned to celebrate that achievement.

The town demonstrated a zero waste policy as part of that plan.

``There are no real experts in what it will take to create a zero waste society. That's why New Zealand where over half of all municipalities have adopted zero waste policies has the chance to lead the world,’’ New Zealand Zero Waste Academy spokesman Warren Snow of Auckland said today.

Mr Snow was a founder of the Zero Waste New Zealand Trust and has helped many communities, cities, businesses and institutions develop zero waste strategies.

This work has resulted in over half of New Zealand’s towns and cities adopting Zero Waste by 2015.

``We are truly first off the block and are seen as the leaders - but this won't last for long if we don't keep up the momentum – and stay ahead.

``The Zero Waste Academy is the first of its kind in the world. Already people are coming to New Zealand to see what we are up to with our zero waste ambitions.’’

Mr Snow said New Zealand was at the heart of the zero waste movement and ``this is the way we should keep it’’.

``New Zealand has led before - we were the first country in the world to give woman the vote, the first country to have an anti-nuclear policy, we were instrumental in dismantling apartheid and now we can led the world to zero waste.’’

Zero wasting has also been adopted in other towns like Kaitaia, Rakaia, Raglan, McKenzie district, Amberley and Ashburton.

Kaikoura is running the country’s first Zero Waste Academy course.

``I can only stand in awe at the commitment talent and effectiveness of Innovative Waste Kaikoura. They have put Kaikoura and New Zealand on the map more than once. They have innovated their way to success and are pioneers in many more ways than one.

John Ransley, manager of Innovative Waste Kaikoura, said the town’s recycling centre dump sells cardboard, paper, plastics, and metal out-of town. Available locally is mulch, compost and second hand goods through a shop on site.

``This income has enabled this community venture to operate as a viable business, so to encourage other communities,’’ Mr Ransley said.

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