Maori zero waste advocates are gathering at Umupuia Marae in Maraetai today for a three-day wananga on recycling, composting, and otherwise reducing the environmental impact of hui.
Para Kore Aotearoa project manager Jacqui Forbes says the initiative has been going for six years, with 90 marae now involved.
The aim is to have all marae working towards zero waste by 20202.
She says marae can tap into a waste minimisation fund which comes from a levy on landfills, so they just need people willing to embrace the kaupapa.
"The programme is a zero waste education programme and we provide all the bins and signage and ongoing mentoring and support so marae can keep working at reducing the amount of waste they are sending to landfill, and if they are burning or burying out the back, we provide education round that so those practices cease and alternate ways of disposing of waste are found," Ms Forbes says.
Auckland whanau who are interested can join the wananga on Saturday morning when it goes to see what's being done at Papatuanuku Kokiri Marae in Mangere and at Orakei Marae.
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