At its core, “test and tag” means inspecting and electrically testing appliances to ensure they’re safe to use, then labelling them to confirm their safety.

What if one conversation could spark a new programme in Mercury Bay? What if one great idea could help us reduce more waste, inspire more volunteers or unlock new opportunities for our community?

That's the opportunity we're hoping to create this October.

Where to Donate Reusable Items in Whitianga and Mercury Bay.

Have furniture, household goods, building materials or other reusable items you no longer need?

Matariki is a time to pause, reflect and look ahead with intention. As we honour the past and consider the future, it also offers a meaningful opportunity to think about the everyday choices we make. What we buy, what we use, what we waste, and what we choose to value. In this blog, we explore how waste minimisation, reuse and thoughtful personal choices connect with the deeper spirit of Matariki.

After volunteering at Wāhi Tukurua’s clothing stall during the Community Garage Sale, I found myself thinking about more than just second-hand bargains. Amongst racks of beautiful garments and boxes of clothing still waiting for new homes, a much bigger question emerged — what is enough?

April 26th Food Waste Day, and it’s a good reminder that most of us aren’t wasting food on purpose… it just kind of happens. Busy lives, good intentions, and a few forgotten leftovers later — and suddenly it adds up.

The good news? We don’t need to be perfect to make a difference.

We’ve just reached six months of trading as a community Resource Recovery Centre — and what a six months it’s been.

When it comes to textiles, we’re wasting a lot. And I mean a lot.

Textiles are now one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, and Aotearoa New Zealand is no exception.

What can we do about this problem?

If you’re clearing out older linen at home, remember – even when sheets and blankets have seen better days, they can still be incredibly useful. Before tossing them out, think about how they might be reused, repurposed or given a second life.

A couple of years ago, I bought a denim skirt online. It was cheap — about a tenth of the price of the one I really wanted. Apparently, I had just dipped my toe into the world of fast fashion. I genuinely didn’t know what that meant. It had taken weeks to arrive from China — hardly “fast,” I thought…

Something powerful is happening behind the scenes. Recently, local reuse and resell groups gathered to share ideas, challenges, and opportunities - and the message was clear: collaboration is key.

They arrive rattling, leaking, or completely silent. Most people would call them rubbish. We call them opportunity. Over the past three months, thirteen washing machines have come through our doors, proving that “broken” is often just the beginning of the story.

Every great hero has an arch-enemy.

Sherlock has Moriarty.

Harry has Voldemort.

And here at our warehouse?

We have… The Fadge.
Not just any fadge — THE FADGE.

A large, lumpy bag full of the plastic bits and bobs from e-waste that even we cannot rescue, refurbish, reinvent, or turn into a stylish coffee table.

Recently, someone said to me, “I’d love to help out somewhere, but I’m not really the board type.” Whatever that means.

Let’s bust a few myths.

If you can listen, ask good questions, and genuinely want to make your town a bit better than it was yesterday — congratulations, you’re the board type.

If you’ve ever wandered into Wāhi Tukurua or one of our other Resource Recovery Centre shops and thought, “This feels a bit like an op-shop… but also not,” you’re absolutely right. It’s a common question—and a great one.

On Saturday, September 20th, Wāhi Tukurua is inviting the whole community to take part in World Cleanup Day 2025 — and together, we’re aiming for our biggest haul yet: over 2,000kg of waste removed from our beaches, waterways, streets, and reserves in just three hours.

Big news for Mercury Bay! Wāhi Tukurua has secured an interim site at 239 South Highway, Whitianga – right next to the Refuse Transfer Station – where we’ll be working hard to rescue quality, reusable items from heading to landfill. This is a big step in our mission to reduce waste, support sustainability, and give good things a second life.