For the past three years, Para Kore Marae Inc. has been working towards making reducing waste the social norm within marae and Māori communities in Northland.
Para Kore Marae Inc. is made up of experienced and skilled regional kaiārahi (advisors) who are passionate about and committed to achieving a zero-waste Aotearoa.
The organisation delivers community education programmes that aim to embed zero-waste behaviours within marae and Māori communities, and encourage them to take active and leading roles in working towards promoting reusing, recycling and composting as standard practice. With a vision for all marae to be working towards zero-waste by 2025, its education and training programmes are centred on the principles of a circular economy and creating transformational change that will enhance the environment and the lives of the people in the community.
Since early 2018, Foundation North has supported the delivery of Para Kore Marae waste-minimisation programme to marae and other organisations in Te Hiku o te Ika and Te Taitokerau. The organisation aims to empower and support Māori and non-Māori to work towards zero-waste by promoting buying local products, reducing and reusing as standard practice, and supporting the set-up of recycling and composting systems.
“Over the last two years funding from Foundation North has continued to support Para Kore ki te Hiku o te Ika to deliver zero waste education within kaupapa and tikanga Māori frameworks to over one thousand people. We have now also been able to extend the reach of the Para Kore programme into the Te Taitokerau rohe. Whānau are being inspired to become thoughtful and responsible kaitiaki, working together to enhance their well-being and quality of life while caring for Papatūānuku rāua ko Ranginui.”
- Jacqui Forbes, General Manager of Para Kore Marae Incorporated
