ABOUT US

Why Otaihanga Zero Waste

Around half of New Zealand’s landfill waste comes from construction and demolition, however to date there have been limited alternative solutions for dealing with the waste created.

In the building and construction industries we know that there is a desire to make the process more sustainable. Builders, planners, architects, apprentices, tradies, crafters and DIY enthusiasts all see the potential for waste to be reused or recycled.

Meeting this need, at Otaihanga Zero Waste we are looking to reduce the amount of valuable material from entering landfill through the accepting materials for resale or recycling focused on construction and demolition waste. We aim to improve the infrastructure for construction and demolition reuse and recovery, and local businesses in the sector can access us to support the implementation of their waste minimisation plans.

Our vision is to create a thriving, vibrant destination for the community that supports local resilience, the circular economy and regeneration.

Our Partnership Model/How We Are Funded

Otaihanga Zero Waste is a not-for-profit joint venture between Sustainability Trust and Localised. Set up infrastructure and initial funding has been provided through Kāpiti Coast District Council.

Our Team

General Manager – Ben Wakefield
Ben has been living in Kapiti for close to 10 years. Working with community groups and businesses through various projects. He is excited to work through solutions in the construction space for business and residents.

Vinnie Rawiri – Reuse Specialist / Yard Worker
Vinnie is a local from Ōtaki with a passion for finding a second life for materials and products. Combined with his customer service and logistics skills, he is an asset for our team. 

We're Here to Work With You

We want to support construction professionals looking for advice on how to reduce waste and to hear your ideas on how we can expand our services. We are also looking for community and waste organisations looking for materials or to work with us as material collection partners.

Share Our Space – If you are a values-aligned business or organisation and are looking for a secure site we’d love to speak to you about opportunities to share our space. Get in touch for a korero on how we can work together.