Our Submission to Waikato District Council 2025-2034 Long Term Plan
Introduction
The West Waikato Coastal Community Catchment Group (WWCC) was established in 2023 by a group of farmers, community members and tangata whenua. We are located in the area between Port Waikato and Whaingaroa Harbour, bringing together the communities of Port Waikato, Waikaretu, and Te Ākau and totalling 60,055ha (Appendix A). Our goal is to facilitate and promote a thriving and resilient community. Waste minimisation and recycling is a key focus area for one of our seven pillars - Natural Resilience due to concerns we have about alternative means of disposing farm and household waste in our catchment. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to Council’s LTP.
Waste minimisation in our community
To identify the current recycling behaviours and views on how we might make it easier for the community to recycle their household and farm waste, the West Waikato Coastal Catchment Group undertook a community survey from 15–30 April 2025 to gather meaningful, place-based feedback on current recycling habits and future service preferences. The survey was shared digitally through local community channels and received 66 responses from across the catchment, including residents from Te Ākau, Waikaretu, Waimai, Matira, Waingaro, and Port Waikato. We were pleased with the strong level of engagement, which reflects the community’s interest in waste reduction and appetite for better recycling infrastructure.
The survey sought feedback in the following three areas:
Household recycling
Scrap metal recycling
Agri-Chemical Waste
Household Recycling
The survey shows strong support for a local household recycling service, and we encourage Waikato District Council to explore options for implementing such a service ahead of the proposed July 2027 timeline. 12.1% residents indicated they would like a weekly service, 44% a fortnightly service and 36% a monthly service, therefore over 90% of respondents are interested in at least a monthly service. Many residents already travel to town to recycle and expressed frustration with the lack of convenient, accessible options in our area.
For some of our residents it is a 60 minute drive to the closest recycling service. Less than 25% of respondents indicated they wouldn’t be prepared to pay for a Council-run service, while over 75% are willing to pay for services, with $80 per year seen as reasonable and in line with the Glen Murray model.
On Saturday, 10 May, a pilot recycling service was hosted at the Te Akau Community Hall. The event was well attended and exceeded expectations, reportedly collecting a greater volume of waste than the monthly Glen Murray service. Feedback was positive, the presence of contractors was a key success factor, they provided hands-on support, recycling education, and assistance for those with mobility needs. The site was well managed and left clean and tidy. During this pilot, the Te Ākau Community Hall proved to be a viable location. It offers safe one-way traffic flow and minimal disruption to other activities, as it is rarely used by the community on weekends. Survey respondents identified a central drop-off point as a workable solution, with the Te Ākau Community Complex being the most commonly suggested location. We acknowledge that formal on-going use would require further discussion and approval from the Te Ākau Community Complex Committee. However, it’s clear that a drop-off site located within Te Ākau Village would best serve community needs, and both the Community Complex and the Community Hall present as suitable options. Additionally, many residents requested more localised or satellite drop-off points throughout the catchment (e.g. Waikaretu or Naike Halls), recognising the size of our area and the transport limitations some face.
Rural waste is such an issue, we recognise that currently people in our community are disposing of waste incorrectly on farm. This contradicts our climate change goals and visions of our catchment group, we seek to change behaviours of our community and have a positive effect on carbon emissions, therefore a recycling service is urgently needed to support our environmental goals.
Scrap Metal Recycling
The majority (64%) of our respondents are in favour of a scrap metal collection service in the community and 82% reported they would be comfortable with proceeds to be donated to the catchment group. 89% of respondents thought at least a yearly service would be valuable.
Farm/Agricultural Waste Recycling
85% of respondents believe it is at least moderately important to have an agri-chemical recycling service in the area. The agricultural wastes they would like to recycle are empty agri-chemical containers, liquids ie oils & paints, batteries, tyres and silage/baleage wrap.
Summary
It’s clear from the feedback that rural communities are not only willing to engage with waste minimisation efforts, they are wanting to pay for a service now. Waiting until 2027 risks losing momentum and delaying much-needed environmental gains. We would welcome the opportunity to attend the hearing and speak further to this submission.
West Waikato Coastal Community Catchment Group Alastair Reeves, Co-Chairperson Lisa Marcroft, Co-Chairperson