Aucklanders are being invited to shine a light on the people and organisations helping our region move closer to a zero waste future, with nominations now open for the 2026 Tāmaki Makaurau Zero Waste Awards.
From neighbourhood composting projects, repair cafés, culturally responsive community programmes, to resource-sharing and innovative circular economy initiatives, inspiring zero waste mahi is happening across the region every day, often quietly and without recognition.
Nominations opened on Friday 1 May and close on Sunday 31 May, and anyone can put forward an individual, group, business, school or organisation that’s making a difference or nominate themselves.
The awards, last held in 2024, celebrate Auckland’s zero waste champions and the diverse ways they’re helping reduce waste to landfill.
“I am looking forward to hearing impactful and inspiring stories during the 2026 Zero Waste Awards,” says Justine Haves, Auckland Council’s General Manager Waste Solutions and one of this year’s judges.
“It’s heartwarming to see the diversity of people, ideas and activities underway in Tāmaki Makaurau all working together to reduce waste to landfill. If you are working in this space or know someone who is, then please do share these stories so we can celebrate our collective achievements.”
Five award categories
The 2026 awards recognise the full spectrum of zero waste work happening across the city, with five categories:
- Rangatahi Leadership - Rangatahi, rangawhenua, rangatangata: celebrates ‘leaders in the making’, individuals and groups of rangatahi, under 21 years, showing commitment and leadership to reducing waste in their communities.
- Growing the Movement - Whakakanohi i te kaupapa para kore: for ‘local heroes’, individuals and groups, working voluntarily to raise awareness, inspire change, and share their tautoko of the zero waste kaupapa.
- Community Collaboration - Hā ora, Hāpori: celebrating those in paid roles demonstrating commitment to building community partnerships to reduce waste, in businesses, social enterprises, NGOs, and charitable organisations.
- Cultural Connection - Whīria te ahurea, whīria te kaitīakitanga: celebrating diversity, equity and inclusion, for individuals and groups, ‘keeping it local’, using cultural approaches to educate, inspire and manaaki communities to reduce waste.
- Innovation - Anga whakamua: for those zero waste initiatives ‘making it happen’, demonstrating innovation, the circular economy in action and promising results.
EcoMatters Environment Trust is organising the awards in partnership with Auckland Council, aligning with the region’s goal for Tāmaki Makaurau to be zero waste by 2040.
EcoMatters CEO and judge Carla Gee says the awards are always a highlight.
“I’m always so inspired and humbled by what’s happening right across Tāmaki Makaurau when I read the nominations,” she says.
“We’re thrilled to be helping organise this year’s awards and to celebrate the amazing mahi that’s been underway in the last two years.”
A track record of inspiring stories
In 2024, the awards received 170 nominations, recognising everyone from rangatahi and volunteers to marae, social enterprises and local businesses.
Past winners include rangatahi diverting food scraps into compost, community groups running repair cafés, businesses redistributing reusable household goods and innovators creating circular building solutions from recycled plastic.
How to nominate
Nominations are open throughout May and can be made online on the Ecomatters website.
Whether it’s a neighbour, a workplace, a community group, or your own project, organisers say if someone’s putting their heart and soul into zero waste mahi, they’d love to hear about it.
The 2026 Zero Waste Awards celebration will be held in early August.
Know someone doing great zero waste mahi? Nominate them and help celebrate the people powering Auckland’s journey to waste nothing.