A pilot scheme offering grants to Porirua projects that enable waste minimisation in the city was approved at a full Porirua City Council meeting this morning.

Starting in the 2025/26 financial year, part of the funds received by Porirua City Council from the Waste Levy Subsidy will be used to provide community grants to groups with projects that will encourage reuse, repurposing and recycling capacity in the city.

The scheme will initially run as a 12-month pilot to gauge the level of demand and the types of projects sought.

There will be two levels of funding available for projects. The first will be grants of up to $30,000 that will become available in a single application round.

The second will be grants of up to $2000 which can be applied for year round.

Establishing this grant is part of the enacting Porirua City’s 2023-29 Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.

Porirua City Councillor Geoff Hayward, who represents Porirua City on the Wellington Region Waste Management and Minimisation Joint Committee, says this scheme will empower communities in the city.

"It’s the kind of initiative that reflects the best of what local government can do. It’s backing communities to lead solutions using existing levers wisely.

"It will reduce pressure on rates and support our goal to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill."

Waste minimisation initiatives could include new projects that reduce waste at the source and encourage movement towards a circular economy.

Projects that focus on reduction, redesign, reuse, repair and repurpose will also be considered.

"We want to see initiatives that create new opportunities and encourage community participation in waste minimisation," says Councillor Hayward.

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says this is a positive move for waste reduction in Porirua.

"This is another way that we can work towards making our communities more healthy and encourage more people to get involved in positive outcomes."

The grant scheme will now be developed with more information to come once the details have been finalised.

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