Funding for a new resource recovery centre that will divert hundreds of tonnes of waste from landfill in Hāwera, has been announced today by Minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg.

The South Taranaki District Council has received $260,000 from the Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) to develop a new facility, and the council will contribute about $321,000 to the project.

“The new facility will reduce the amount of waste going to landfill by an estimated 75 tonnes in the first year of operation increasing to 116 tonnes a year after that,” Ms Grigg says.

“We’re collaborating with councils, communities and industry with tools that will make a lasting difference for the environment and for future generations.

“The new centre will divert tonnes of waste from landfill, reduce the emissions associated with waste, and build a more efficient circular economy.

“We’re fixing the basics and building the future by investing in environmental tools that help councils, communities, and industry to take action where it matters most,” Ms Grigg says.

The centre will enable partnerships with local waste service providers, organisations and community groups, and is sited beside the existing Hāwera Transfer Station, making it easier for businesses and residents to drop off recycling items. The facility is expected to be completed by late 2027.