Beehive News
Associate Environment Minister Scott Simpson has announced funding of nearly $800,000 for Para Kore Marae Inc. to extend their waste minimisation project.
“With funding from the Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) the programme has already been successfully implemented in several regions including Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Hauraki, and Ruakawa. So far 171 marae are taking part in the programme, and they have diverted an astonishing 178 tonnes of waste from landfill,” Mr Simpson says.
“Para Kore means Zero Waste, and Para Kore’s vision is for all marae to be working towards zero waste by 2020. The new WMF funding will enable the programme to be implemented in Ruapehu, the Far North, Gisborne, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington and Rotorua.
“Para Kore works alongside marae committees to help set-up reuse, recycling and composting systems. Local waste advisors provide education, support and practical tools such as bins and signage to implement Para Kore on marae.
First set up in 2009 as a pilot project under the Xtreme Waste movement in Raglan, Para Kore Marae Inc is a not-for-profit organisation. It provides its educational programme to marae, free of charge. Para Kore has expanded from an initial three marae to reach about 180 marae, kura, kohanga reo, community organisations and Māori events across 13 regions.
Together they have diverted more than 172 tonnes of waste from landfills.
“This programme provides a good example of how marae, hapū and iwi can make changes that have the potential to divert large amounts of waste from ending up in landfill and harming Papatūānuku.
“I would also like to congratulate Para Kore on being a finalist in the Kaitiaki Leadership category of the recent 2017 Green Ribbon Awards.”
The WMF was established in 2009 and is funded by a levy of $10 per tonne charged on waste disposed of at landfills. The fund’s purpose is to boost New Zealand’s performance in waste minimisation, by reducing waste and increasing the recovery of useful resources from waste. Over $80 million has been awarded to more than 130 projects to date.
For more information on Para Kore see: http://parakore.maori.nz.
Further information on the Waste Minimisation Fund is available from:www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/waste/waste-minimisation-fund/index.html.