Children as young as six, along with their grandparents, are learning practical ways to reduce, reuse and recycle at Green Warrior workshops run by the Sikh Women’s Association in Ōtāhuhu.
The workshops are part of a monthly series to teach families about sustainable living. They cover a wide range of eco-friendly practices from walking “buses” to increasing green spaces.
As several of the Green Warrior workshops focused specifically on waste minimisation and recycling, the Association has been awarded a $5,000 boost from Auckland Council’s Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund.
Ranbir Saini of the Sikh Women’s Association says the grant has been put towards the costs of running the workshops, helping make them accessible for more people.
“One grandmother, with a grandson who is autistic, discovered how repurposing and other waste management efforts can be part of play and creative home activities that help children and youth living with sensory needs. We were able to repurpose waste to create a sensory board that, without funding, would have cost them $700 to buy.”
Participants learned practical tools for minimising waste and about the environmental impact of waste. Many made the connection to their faith and its tenets to protect and preserve our environment and our sense of community, says Ms Saini.
“Highlights of the workshops included learning to repurpose saris for families on low incomes, and upcycling common day-to-day materials such as plastic bottles that are non-recyclable, to create art for cultural events like the poppies displayed for our local Anzac Day.”
Providing engaging activities for grandparents and children is part of the Association’s whānau-led approach.
“In our South Auckland South Asian community, grandparents play an integral role in raising and fostering the development of the younger generation,” she says.
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu local board chair Tauanu’u Nanai Nick Bakulich says community and whānau-led education offers the best opportunity for changing people’s behaviour around waste management.
“Locals know best, so workshops like the Ōtāhuhu Green Warrior workshops, with council support, are ideal for raising awareness and improving waste management.
“Prioritising waste minimisation is essential for our community and this board, so it’s crucial that we have effective education and awareness programmes that help manage waste safely and reduce the negative impact on the environment, while also helping to build our resilience. This fosters a healthy ecosystem for Māngere-Ōtāhuhu and contributes to the overall well-being of South Auckland.
“I would encourage any community group, school or business in Māngere-Ōtāhuhu that needs support to start or expand a waste minimisation project to consider applying for the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund.”
Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund
Applications for the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund are currently open and close on 31 August 2024.
Community groups, schools and businesses within the Auckland region are eligible to apply for grants between $1,000 and $50,000. The funds must be spent in the 2025 calendar year.
For more information go to the Auckland Council website and search “WMIF” or email aucklandwastefund@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Green Warrior workshops, Sikh Women’s Association
To find out more or register for an upcoming workshop, contact Ranbir Saini at office@nzswa.org.
