From food to fabric, construction waste to the circular economy, and everything in between, organisers of the 2022 Tāmaki Makaurau Zero Waste Awards want to celebrate the mahi of those working to reduce waste to landfill across our city.
Nominations for this year’s awards are open during August 2022 so if you know of an unsung hero whose work deserves to be recognised, please put their name forward.
“The range of creative approaches to zero waste is so energising. Auckland Council is pleased to bring people together to celebrate the incredible progress taking place to get us to zero waste by 2040,” shares Parul Sood, General Manager of Waste Solutions at Auckland Council.
Nominations can be made from 1 August to 30 August at ecomatters.org.nz/zerowasteawards.
Award categories
Individuals, groups, schools, businesses and organisations can nominate themselves or work with others to make a nomination in one of the five award categories:
Rangatahi Leadership - Rangatahi, rangawhenua, rangatangata: for individuals or groups of rangatahi (young people under 18 years) showing commitment and leadership in reducing waste in their community.
Growing the Movement - Whakakanohi i te kaupapa para kore: celebrating local heroes (individuals or groups) raising awareness, inspiring change and spreading their tautoko of the zero waste kaupapa.
Community Collaboration - Hā ora, Hāpori: businesses or social enterprises who are ‘walking the talk’ by demonstrating a commitment in building community partnerships to reduce waste.
Cultural Connection - Whīria te ahurea, whīria te kaitīakitanga: individuals or groups using culturally appropriate approaches to educate, inspire and care for their communities to reduce waste.
Innovation - Anga whakamua: initiatives demonstrating the circular economy in action, and ‘making it happen’ through demonstrable results.
This year’s awards are being hosted by EcoMatters Environment Trust in partnership with Auckland Council.
“It’s such a privilege to be getting behind this event once again, helping celebrate the people and organisations who work quietly behind the scenes making a meaningful difference to minimise waste,” says Carla Gee, CEO of EcoMatters.
“We know recognition means the world to those who are nominated and we’re delighted to help acknowledge their efforts and advocacy.”
Last year's winners
In 2021, there were 114 nominations for individuals, groups, schools, marae, local businesses and social enterprises across Tāmaki Makaurau. The 2021 winners were:
- Rangatahi Leadership - Rangatahi, rangawhenua, rangatangata: Faiesea Ah Chee for her leadership of the Kelston Girls High School Environmental Committee and ongoing advocacy for the climate.
- Growing the Movement - Whakakanohi i te kaupapa para kore: Joseph Youssef, for his work as founder, Chief Encourager and trustee of All Heart NZ Charitable Trust, which redirects and repurposes redundant and unwanted items.
- Community Collaboration - Hā ora, Hāpori: Perfectly Imperfect Charitable Trust, founded by Wendy Zhou in 2020 to tackle the issue of food harvest loss.
- Cultural Connection - Whīria te ahurea, whīria te kaitīakitanga: Victoria Azaro for her work in setting up the Travelling Sewing Box Project, helping migrants sustain their traditions, as well as using fabric that would otherwise go to waste.
- Innovation - Anga whakamua: The Link Alliance, the lead contractor delivering the City Rail Link, and TROW Group, a business specialising in deconstruction and soft strip of buildings were joint winners for salvaging more than 58 tonnes of material from demolition work for the City Rail Link.
Nominations for the 2022 awards are open from 1 August to 31 August at ecomatters.org.nz/zerowasteawards with the awards night happening in early November.
