Tāmaki Makaurau Zero Waste Awards
Nominations are open now until Sunday 31 May for the 2026 Tāmaki Makaurau Zero Waste Awards.
These awards celebrate outstanding people and organisations whose heart and soul is in their zero waste kaupapa.
Nominations are open to individuals, organisations, and businesses, whether you’re nominating yourself or someone else.
We look forward to hearing about the amazing mahi underway to reduce waste to landfill across Tāmaki Makaurau and recognising the people behind the stories.
2026 Award Categories
Rangatahi Leadership – Rangatahi, Rangawhenua, Rangatangata
This category celebrates ‘leaders in the making’, individuals and groups of rangatahi, under 21 years, showing commitment and leadership to reducing waste in their communities.
Mō te rangatahi e whakapau ngoi ana ki te hāpai me te ārahi i te kaupapa para kore.
The inspiration for the te reo Māori translation of this category is ‘a young net who weaves the land and weaves people’.
This award is support by Uru Whakaaro.
Growing the Movement – Whakakanohi i te Kaupapa Para Kore
This category celebrates ‘local heroes’, individuals and groups, working voluntarily to raise awareness, inspire change, and share their tautoko of the zero waste kaupapa.
Mō te pakihi, ratonga rānei e whakapau werawera, e whakakanohi ana hoki i te kaupapa para kore.
The inspiration for the te reo translation of this category is ‘the face of the zero waste movement’.
This award is supported by Be A Tidy Kiwi.
Community Collaboration – Hā Ora, Hāpori
This category is about ‘walking the talk’, celebrating those in paid roles demonstrating commitment to building community partnerships to reduce waste, in businesses, social enterprises, NGOs, and charitable organisations.
Mō te pakihi, ratonga rānei e mahi ngātahi ana ki te hapori kia para kore.
The inspiration for the te reo translation of this category is ‘clean air, community’.
This award is supported by Junk2Go.
Cultural Connection – Whīria te Ahurea, Whīria te Kaitiakitanga
This category celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion, for individuals and groups, ‘keeping it local’, using cultural approaches to educate, inspire and manaaki communities to reduce waste.
Mō te tangata, rōpu rānei e whīria ana te ahurea hei whakamana i te kaupapa kia para kore.
The inspiration for the te reo translation of this category is ‘choose culture, choose guardianship’.
This award is supported by CNSST.
Innovation – Anga Whakamua
This category celebrates zero waste initiatives ‘making it happen’, demonstrating innovation, the circular economy in action and promising results.
Mō te auaha, mō te ihumanea, mō te ihuoneone e anga whakamua kia para kore.
The inspiration for the te reo translation of this category is ‘thinking ahead’.
This award is supported by Trow Group.
The te reo Māori framing for our category descriptions was generously undertaken by Reno Skipper, who as a kaiako (teacher) is dedicated to the well-being of his community of Kaipara and inspiring people of all ages in their journey of rediscovery of te reo Māori. Ngā mihi Reno. To learn more about Reno, watch this short video.
2026 Judging Panel
The 2026 awards judging panel is Charmaine Bailie (Director at Uru Whakaaro), Justine Haves (Auckland Council, Waste Solutions General Manager), Pesetā – Petelo Esekielu (Auckland Council, Community Innovation Specialist), and Carla Gee (EcoMatters CEO).
Key dates
1-31 May 2026: nominations open
June 2026: judging
July 2026: invitations sent
Early August 2026: awards event in central city
STAYING IN TOUCH
If you would like to support the awards through sponsorship and reach the zero waste community in Tāmaki Makaurau, please contact Ana Davison by email: [email protected]
If you have any questions about the awards or wish to join the mailing list for future updates, please contact Ana Davison by email: [email protected]
PAST AWARDS
Photos and information about previous awards including winners and nominees are available from these links below.
💚 Read about the 2024 Tāmaki Makaurau Zero Waste Awards
💚 Read about the 2022 Tāmaki Makaurau Zero Waste Awards
💚 Read about the 2021 Tāmaki Makaurau Zero Waste Awards
2024 winners stories
Growing the Movement – Whakakanohi i te kaupapa para kore
Community Collaboration – Hā ora, Hāpori
Cultural Connection – Whīria te ahurea, whīria te kaitīakitanga
Innovation – Anga whakamua
KIA ORA AND THANKS TO
EcoMatters Environment Trust is organising the awards in partnership with Auckland Council’s Waste Solutions team.
We sincerely thank everyone who has supported and contributed to the awards over the years, especially the steering and advisory group members, nominees, nominators, judges, MCs, presenters and sponsors. A special thank you to Auckland Council Waste Solutions for supporting the awards.
