About us

Wāhi Tukurua, Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Centre is a not-for-profit social enterprise and registered Charity.  We work with Council and like-minded community groups in waste minimisation to keep waste out of landfill, create jobs for people, and to engage and connect people in our community.

Our purpose is to build the awareness, passion, capacity & confidence of our community to accelerate waste minimisation locally and be a leading voice in change nationally.

No time to waste.

Our Vision

We envision a Coromandel Peninsula in which waste minimisation is a part of our DNA.  By leading the way and establishing pathways for our community to choose and prioritise meaningful waste reduction, we aim to encourage, stimulate and promote reuse, recycling, and refurbishment everywhere.

Our Mission

We believe that through the power of education & ease of access, we can enable our community to help themselves minimise waste.  We intentionally focus on the development of long term sustainable facilities, education programmes & waste minimisation initiatives that empower and enable the people we serve. 

Our Values

  • Guardianship / RESPECT

  • Leadership / INTEGRITY

  • Heartfelt connection / INCLUSION

Our Outcomes

  • Reduce waste

  • Generate value

  • Empower people

  • Co-create results

Our reports

Meet the Team

  • Tracey Bell

    Tracey Bell

    CHAIR

    ‘No time to waste’

    Tracey is Chair of Wāhi Tukurua, Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Centre. A native of the Waikato, Tracey fell in love with the Coromandel on childhood holidays. She and her partner Greg were drawn back here in 2006, and are still thrilled on a daily basis to be living in paradise. She sees the privilege of calling this outrageously beautiful part of the world home as coming with responsibility, and has a deep appreciation for how nonprofits seek to improve the quality of life in our region.

    Over 30 years as a business founder and leader, and a specialist background in effecting transformative organisational change means that Tracey brings knowledge and passion to our startup organisation and the sharing of our wider waste minimisation vision.

    Tracey’s main waste minimisation passion lies in REUSE, ensuring waste is recognised as the rich resource it is, diverted from landfill and made available for others.

  • Maus Pretorius

    Manus Pretorius

    TREASURER

  • Tiffany Reed

    Tiffany Reed

    SECRETARY

    Tiffany, an advocate for sustainability, serves as the secretary of Wāhi Tukurua. She is passionate about waste reduction, reusing, and nurturing a circular economy.

    Living in Whitianga with her partner and children she enjoys the immense beauty of her surroundings, and can often be found at the beaches surfing or out enjoying nature.

    Committed to safeguarding the environment for future generations, Tiffany is dedicated to Wāhi Tukurua’s goals and values, promoting environmental consciousness, and to having a positive impact on Papatūānuku, Mother Earth.

  • Katherine Neilson-Jones

    Kat Neilson-Jones

    TRUSTEE

    Introducing Kat Neilson-Jones, trustee of Wāhi Tukurua / Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Centre Trust. Nestled in the picturesque Cooks Beach, Whitianga, Kat resides on a small lifestyle block. Her passion for gardening and self-reliance extends to various activities such as preserving, growing vegetables, making soap, crafting, cooking, and upcycling.

    With an insatiable curiosity, Kat actively seeks to deepen her understanding of creating a better world for future generations. Kat brings her dedication to learning and her creative spirit to the Trust's mission.

  • Woman with glasses smiling-Megan Edmeades

    Megan Edmeades

    TRUSTEE

    Kia ora katou! I have called Whitianga home for three years, initially drawn here because of the beautiful jewel that is the moana of Te Tara-o-te-ika-a-Maui (the Coromandel Peninsula). I now also draw inspiration and energy from the dense, lush native bush that hug the hills and prolific manu that live there. I am fortunate to be surrounded by ngahere and am visited daily by tui, kotare and kereru and hear kiwi and ruru calling at night.

    Having visited Whitianga regularly 20 years before moving here, I have seen the huge change the area has undergone, as others like me make this beautiful place home. My passion for eco design in the built environment led me to become involved in Wahi Tukurua. Diverting construction and demolition waste from landfill is a key driver of my waste minimisation journey and designing waste out of builds is the change I want to see.

  • Diane Howie-King

    Diane Howie-King

    TRUSTEE

    I swim, walk, ride my bike, enjoy coffees and catch ups, movies, family and friendships, and dancing. I’m a St John Health Shuttle driver (it’s a volunteer job I love doing).

    I love travelling when I can.

    I have a background in education, including environmental education, developed a sustainable lifestyle over 15 years, have had a small business, and served on a primary school board for a number of years, two terms as chairperson.

    I’m a ridiculously busy retiree.