A Whole-School Approach to Zero Waste

Oranga Kura is more than a sustainability programme – it’s a whole-school shift in thinking, doing, and being. Whether you’re a caretaker or a kaiako, a principal or a parent, your role is essential. We provide the tools, support, and training to help kura make meaningful, lasting change – one kaupapa, one community at a time.

What You’ll Learn

• How to implement and improve school-wide zero waste systems

• How to run effective waste audits and log data

• How to set strategic goals for waste reduction

• How to embed mātauranga Māori in your environmental journey

• How to empower tamariki and kaiako as leaders for change

• How to engage whānau and wider school networks

Why It Matters

• Diverts waste from landfill and restores balance with te taiao

• Builds student leadership and environmental confidence

• Embeds sustainable habits into daily school life

• Connects tikanga Māori with practical action

• Supports climate resilience at the community level

• Helps schools become role models for positive change

Wānanga Snapshot

Each school commits to two wānanga sessions: one for kaiako/staff and one for student leaders. These workshops provide the foundation for your zero waste journey, with hands-on training, kaupapa Māori values, and collaborative planning alongside other kura in your region.

Barriers and Solutions

We understand that making the shift to a zero waste kura can come with real challenges. Time and capacity are often limited, which is why we provide ready-to-use templates, signage, and training resources to lighten the load. Staff turnover or changing priorities can disrupt progress, so we offer onboarding tools and ongoing mentoring to keep the kaupapa strong. 

If funding is a barrier, we provide up to $400 worth of free signage and equipment to help get your systems off the ground. For schools facing resistance to change, our regular cluster hui offer inspiration and encouragement from others on the same journey. And when policies or expectations feel unclear, we work closely with Boards of Trustees and leadership teams to embed zero waste into your school’s strategic planning. You’re not alone – we’re here to help every step of the way.

Is your kura ready to lead the way in zero waste and mātauranga Māori?

We’re here to support your journey — from waste systems and student leadership to kaupapa Māori policies and practice. Together, we can create kura that care for te taiao and inspire lasting change in every corner of school life. Let’s kōrero about bringing this kaupapa to your rohe. 

Get in touch with us.