A kaupapa Māori Zero Waste initiative is gaining traction in Hawke's Bay, with the public encouraged to join in by spending just 10 minutes doing their bit for the environment today.
Pare Kore - which means Zero Waste - works with marae across the country to increase the reuse, recycling and composting of materials thereby helping to reduce the extraction of natural resources and raw materials from Papatūānuku (the land).
After being in the role of Para Kore kaiārahi (leader) for a few months, Ngāti Kahungunu waste adviser Tyne-Marie Nelson said already three Hawke's Bay groups - Kohupatiki Marae, Te Aka Charitable Trust and Nourished for Nil - had already committed to working towards Zero Waste.
"Para Kore coming to Hawke's Bay couldn't be more timely, as awareness about our waste is quickly growing in the area and creative initiatives are beginning to pop up throughout the community."
Ms Nelson said there had been a lot of interest, but because the initiative meant behaviours had to be changed and new habits developed, "it takes time".