They are getting ready to be Para Kore (Zero Waste) for Taranaki Tū Mai
“We believe this is a practical way to show that sustainability and manaakitanga can go hand in hand.”
Ngāti Maru is getting ready for Taranaki Tū Mai.
Which group are you attending Taranaki Tū Mai with?
Ngāti Maru.
How are you preparing with your rōpū to be Para Kore at Taranaki Tū Mai?
Ngāti Maru will be encouraging all our whānau to bring their own drink bottles to help reduce single-use plastics. We will also be providing kai for our iwi throughout the kaupapa. We feel that by providing the kai ourselves, we will have greater control over how our kai is prepared and packaged — giving us the opportunity to minimise waste right from the source. We believe this is a practical way to show that sustainability and manaakitanga can go hand in hand.
What are some new practices you are doing for Taranaki Tū Mai that other groups could adapt?
For the first time, Ngāti Maru will be bringing our own waste stations to Taranaki Tū Mai. These will include separate bins for general waste, recyclables, and food scraps, which will be set up within our iwi tent space. We feel this is a practical step toward managing our waste responsibly and setting an example for the next generation.
What challenges are you facing?
One of our biggest challenges is encouraging everyone to adopt the new system. Change takes time, but we’re committed to normalising these practices so that reducing waste becomes second nature for our whānau.
“We all have a responsibility to our taiao — to do better where practical, and make small changes that have a big impact.”
Do you get more support or resistance from your rōpū to be zero waste?
This will be the first time adopting this kaupapa, so we know there will no doubt be some resistance and adjustment as everyone gets used to the new ways. However, we hope our whānau recognise that we all have a responsibility to our taiao — to do better where practical, and make small changes that have a big impact.
How can you build on this Para Kore kaupapa for the next events after Taranaki Tū Mai?
Our hope within Ngāti Maru is to continue building awareness and consistency in how we care for our taiao. Our goal is to embrace Para Kore as a standard practice — not just for Taranaki Tū Mai, but across all our iwi hui, kaupapa, and on our marae.
Ngā mihi for your time!
Help us reducing waste by joining our team of Para Kore volunteers at Taranaki Tū Mai in Ōpunakē on 21 - 23 November. Sign up below:
P.S. Whether you sign up through Sustainable Taranaki or Te Kāhui o Taranaki Iwi, we’re all part of one team supporting Taranaki Tū Mai — one kaupapa, one crew, many hands!
Para Kore Statement from Taranaki Tū Mai - 2025
‘Whiria taku aka kūmara’ - speaks to the kūmara and its self-sufficiency.
Our commitment to Para Kore is inspired by the kūmara vine, which grows with unity and purpose. As the vines intertwine across the whenua, they establish natural ecosystems where living beings interact in balance - he kawa ora. In this way, through collective commitment and action toward a 90% Zero Waste Taranaki Tū Mai, we too can grow thriving communities - places that restore, heal, and bring balance to both people and the taiao.
We are dedicated to protecting our Taiao by reducing waste and diverting all that can be into recycling or compost. We need everyone's help to make this happen.
What we are doing:
We are working with Sustainable Taranaki to provide waste stations at all venues. Please look out for these and the volunteers that are there to assist you with where to put your para.
We are working with providers, venues, our hāngi team and stallholders around reducing waste and using product/packaging guidelines.
Sustainable Taranaki will be on-site in yellow hi-vis vests to answer any questions you have about zero waste.
What we ask of you:
We’re inviting you to join us in supporting our para kore kaupapa by choosing reusable, home compostable, or recyclable packaging wherever possible. Ways that you can help:
BYO reusable drink bottle – NO SINGLE USE PLASTIC BOTTLES
BYO lunchbox
BYO reusable plate or container and utensils
Use wax wrap instead of glad wrap
Powhiri:
At the conclusion of the formalities, kai will be provided as both takeaway and sit-in options. If you have to head off to sports or other kaupapa, please bring your own lunch box to fill.
During the event:
KAI – we all know kai is a huge part of manaaki and whananungatanga over the weekend. We ask you to consider the packaging content of any kai items you might share with your own uri. We can even provide you with BBQ and packaging guidelines if you need them.
NO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BOTTLES – please bring your own reusable water bottles. There will be water stations available for you to refill your water bottle.
Hāngi:
Just like at Taranaki Tū Mai in 2023, we encourage all uri to bring their own reusable cutlery and plates/containers for Sunday hāngi. It will be dished up straight from the baskets. There may be a need to use some large aluminium foil dishes if stainless baking dishes cannot be sourced. But, these can be washed and recycled too!
Waste Stations:
These will be placed at all venues, and there will be volunteers nearby to help you.
Manaaki:
As well as minimising waste to landfill, we don’t intend to make things harder for our iwi organisers. Sustainable Taranaki will be available before the event, via email or phone, so get in touch with Suzy Randall if you want to ask some detailed questions.
