The 2026 Tāmaki Makaurau Zero Waste Awards, held on Thursday 6 August, recognised Aucklanders doing the practical, everyday work of zero waste: rescuing materials, restoring taonga, and finding new uses for what would otherwise go to landfill.
The awards honoured outstanding contributions to zero waste initiatives from people right across Auckland. Among the guests were individuals, groups, schools, marae, businesses and social enterprises all nominated for their dedication to reducing waste and championing sustainability.
"The 2026 awards show that zero waste looks different in every community. From rescuing food and restoring cultural treasures, to reusing materials in construction and giving new life to textiles and household items, Aucklanders are finding practical and creative ways to reduce waste every day. It's inspiring to see both new ideas and decades of dedication being recognised through these awards,” says Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions Justine Haves.
There were 125 separate nominations received across five categories, for 102 groups, organisations and individuals. Judges Charmain Bailie, Director at Uru Whataaro, Justine Haves, Auckland Council Waste Solutions General Manager, Pesetā-Petelo Esekielu, Auckland Council Community Innovation Specialist, and Carla Gee chose the winners and highly commended award recipients.
The winner of the 2026 Rangatahi Leadership – Rangatahi, Rangawhenua, Rangatangata award is Orewa College Enviro Group, for inspiring young people to show aroha and take action for the environment. This group takes practical action, educates others and develops leadership skills in the environmental and waste reduction space.
The winner of the 2026 Growing the Movement – Whakakanohi i te Kaupapa Para Kore award is Hannah Emson, who leads by example, inspiring a true and lasting zero waste approach in others. She is a leader in the reuse of materials and fabrics, through swap and repair events and generously helping others to mend their clothing.
This year's judges noted there were also several people they wanted to recognise for their lifetime contribution in this space.
There are four recipients of these new lifetime contribution awards.
- Amanda Hookham-Kraft is a regenerative practitioner and educator who's spent years helping West Auckland schools and communities turn waste into thriving gardens, including helping make the Titirangi Village Market zero waste.i
- Janine Nillesen co-founded Friends of the Farm fourteen years ago and has driven Mangere Bridge's zero waste kaupapa ever since, from community orchards and repair cafes to a food forest in the works.
- Jan Felton has volunteered at the West Auckland Resource Centre for 47 years, rescuing materials from landfill and getting them into the hands of schools, artists and community groups.
- Estella Lee is the Chair of the Chinese Conservation Education Trust and brings zero waste education to Auckland's Chinese community, from cycle repair workshops to sewing and appliance repair cafes.
The 2026 winner of the Cultural Connection – Whīria te Ahurea, Whīria te Kaitīakitanga award is Tapa Talanoa Collective for their work creating a practical place-based pathway for rescued and neglected Pacific cultural items to be uplifted, protected, restored and returned where possible or recommissioned for community use. They recognise that Tapa, Ngatu, 'le Tōga and other Pacific koloa/measina are not waste, but living cultural treasures.
The 2026 winner of the Community Collaboration – Hā Ora, Hāpori award is Lyn-Marie Harris, Dizzie Pixie Designs, who brings people together to think creatively about waste. Lyn-Marie received an outstanding 12 nominations. As Dizzie Pixie Designs, she teams up with other groups to help children and teenagers turn recycled materials into upcycled art, gifts and trinkets. Her mahi has been described as "inclusive and gentle".
The 2026 winner of the Innovation – Anga Whakamua award is HEB Construction (Te Whau Pathway project). This work is a powerful demonstration of infrastructure construction shifting from waste disposal to circular resource recovery at scale. Over 21 months, the project managed 5,495 tonnes of waste, diverting an amazing 90 per cent of that from landfill. This included more than 56 tonnes of concrete pile offcuts which were repurposed into play areas and seating.
This year's awards were organised by EcoMatters Environment Trust, in partnership with Auckland Council, as part of its aspirational goal for Tāmaki Makaurau to be zero waste by 2040.