Let’s sort it: Waste in the Far North

The Solid Waste Strategy sets out a 25-year vision to build a low-waste future for the Far North. We’re taking a staged approach. The current WMMP focuses on building a strong foundation for the next six years – including research, planning, and early improvements. Future plans will use this as a benchmark to bring in bigger infrastructure and innovation as we move through the next stages.

This is more than just another waste plan - it’s a fresh start. For years, our existing plan has been limited in what it could achieve. The new draft WMMP plan unlocks more opportunities to find smart, local solutions to waste.

The WMMP sets out the district’s priorities, goals, and targets for managing and reducing waste over the next six years. It’s a practical action plan that helps guide council decisions and deliver better outcomes for our communities.

The draft WMMP was shaped by feedback from communities and responds to challenges such as:

• Illegal dumping
• Reducing waste to landfill
• Improving access to waste services and facilities
• Strengthening waste infrastructure
• Lowering greenhouse gas emissions

It supports the shift toward a circular economy, helps council plan the right infrastructure, and guides long-term investment. Funding and grant opportunities - such as a planned contestable fund – may also become available for individuals, businesses, and community groups working on local waste reduction or recycling initiatives.

Real, lasting change takes more than a short-term fix. That’s why the council decided to develop a long-term vision of a SWS to sit alongside the updated WMMP:

• A Solid Waste Strategy (SWS) that sets a clear direction for the next 25 years
• A new WMMP to guide short- to medium-term actions

To stay responsive to change, the SWS will be reviewed every six years, meaning it will be updated four times over the 25-year period. This helps us adapt to new technologies, changing community needs, and national priorities.

Kerbside rubbish and recycling services in the Far North are currently provided independently by private waste management companies. These are not funded or contracted by the council.

You can find more information here.

Far North District Council plays a key role in shaping and delivering waste services across the district. Our responsibilities include:

• Strategic planning – setting a long-term vision that aligns with national goals and encourages waste minimisation and resource recovery
• Service delivery – overseeing kerbside collections, transfer stations, and recycling facilities
• Education and community engagement – running workshops and working with schools, businesses, and community groups
• Monitoring and enforcement – applying bylaws and national legislation to prevent illegal dumping and ensure responsible waste management

We don’t work alone. We collaborate with iwi, hapū, community groups, council contractors, and neighbouring councils to support and enable local waste solutions.

The draft WMMP was developed through the Solid Waste Rōpū Mahi (Working Group), which included:

• Local iwi and hapū representatives
• Community members
• Industry experts
• Health professionals
• Legal advisors
• FNDC staff with subject expertise

This collaborative process ensures the plan:

• Reflects Te Ao Māori values
• Acknowledges local priorities
• Integrates expert knowledge
• Aligns with the draft SWS and Far North 2100
• Provides a clear and practical work programme

It also builds on community feedback from 2023, when we asked:
“Imagine your community in the year 2050—how do you think waste should be managed?”

These plans lay the groundwork for a more effective, community-focused waste system. Key benefits include:

• Investigating smarter, more affordable ways to manage waste
• Reducing waste to landfill and recovering valuable resources
• Enabling contestable funding for community-led waste initiatives
• Supporting new infrastructure and better access to services
• Empowering communities through waste education and behaviour change
• Embedding circular economy principles that reduce environmental impact and build resilience

We’ll take a staged approach over the next 25 years to turn these goals into action.

Like many councils across Aotearoa, we face increasing pressure from growing waste volumes, outdated infrastructure, rising costs, and new government expectations.

Community concerns about illegal dumping, limited access to services, and environmental impacts have also highlighted the need for change.

Our current WMMP is very basic and limits our ability to explore innovative solutions. The updated WMMP and Solid Waste Strategy aim to fix this - creating a flexible, phased framework that supports real progress.

Education is key to changing how we think about and deal with waste.  The council plans to:

• Run workshops in schools, marae, and community centres
• Provide information through local events, social media, and our website
• Partner with iwi, hapū, and local organisations to deliver waste minimisation programmes tailored to different communities

Education and awareness-building will grow in importance as we move through the staged implementation of the strategy.