COMMUNITY PROJECT #418 - ZERO-WASTE MARAE INITIATIVE
Mission Statement:
To restore the sacred integrity of our marae by transitioning to zero-waste operations through composting, reusable systems, and conscious stewardship.
The Needs Assessment:
Currently, many marae are forced into a "high-entropy" waste cycle, importing plastics and disposables for large events that end up in landfills. This is a "thermodynamic leak" that costs money and creates ecological "disorder" (entropy), which is fundamentally at odds with the concept of the marae as a place of Mauri Ora.
Core Objectives:
Implement comprehensive composting and bokashi systems at 5 pilot marae.
Replace all single-use plastics and disposables with high-quality, reusable kitchenware sets.
Achieve a 75% reduction in landfill waste fees for participating marae within 12 months.
Train 10 whānau "Waste Kaitiaki" to manage systems and educate the wider community.
Stakeholder Map:
Marae Committees: The primary owners and operators of the initiative.
Whānau Ringawera (Kitchen Workers): Key agents in shifting daily habits.
Local Council Waste Teams: For technical support and organic waste collection.
Building Suppliers: Providing the hardware for composting and storage.
The "Impact" Model:
This project is an "Indigenous Negentropy" strategy36. It reduces the cost of waste management and creates high-quality compost for marae gardens. Sustainability is achieved through the direct savings on landfill fees, which are reinvested into maintaining the reusable systems.
Engagement Strategy:
We will frame zero-waste as an act of "Manaakitanga"—taking care of our guests by taking care of the whenua. We will use "Zero-Waste Hui" as a benchmark, showing that we can feed hundreds of people without leaving a trace of "Babylonian" waste.
Resource Requirements:
Industrial-scale composting bins and worm farms.
Sets of stainless steel or high-grade ceramic plates, cups, and cutlery.
Commercial-grade dishwashers (where needed) and hygienic storage solutions.
Educational signage explaining the waste-sorting process.
Timeline of Action:
Week 1: Conduct a "Waste Audit" at pilot marae during a major hui.
Week 2: Procure the first sets of reusable hardware and composting units.
Week 3: Training wānanga for the Ringawera and marae kaitiaki.
Week 4: Official "Zero-Waste Launch" event—the first fully circular hākari.
Mauri Assessment.
Te Taiao (Environment): +2 — Directly reduces landfill waste and restores nutrients to the soil through composting.
Te Ahurea (Culture): +1 — Aligns marae practice with traditional values of kaitiakitanga and stewardship.
Te Tangata (Social): +1 — Builds community pride and educates whānau on sustainable living.
Te Pūtea (Economic): +1 — Lowers operational costs by eliminating the need for disposables and reducing waste fees.
