Start with the Foundations

Before we can design zero waste systems or grow circular economies, we must understand the deeper systems that surround us – the whakapapa of our stuff, the whenua from which it all comes, and the tikanga that guides how we relate to Papatūānuku. Wānanga Tuapapa offers four introductory sessions rooted in kaupapa Māori to help whānau, hapū, and communities step confidently into climate and waste action.

What You’ll Learn 

• The origins of the materials we use every day
• The difference between linear and circular systems
• How to conduct a basic waste audit
• Alternatives to landfill and what really happens when we recycle
• The principles of the waste hierarchy
• How tikanga Māori aligns with zero waste livin

Why It Matters

• Builds a strong foundation for environmental action
• Strengthens understanding of how systems impact people and planet
• Empowers communities to reduce waste and carbon emissions
• Connects mātauranga Māori with practical sustainability
• Supports behaviour change at the individual and collective level
• Helps restore balance with te taiao

Wānanga Snapshot

Wānanga One: Ngā Rawa Māori o te Ao Tūroa | Natural Resources

Explore the five natural resources our everyday items are made from. Learn what renewable and non-renewable resources are, and how careful choices and reduced consumption support Papatūānuku.

Wānanga Two: Te Pūnaha Whakapeto Hautaonga | The System of Stuff

Take a big-picture look at the journey of our stuff — from resource extraction to disposal. Discover the difference between linear and circular systems, and what we can do to reduce harm to te taiao and our atua

Wānanga Three: Arotakenga Para | Waste Check

Get hands-on with a real waste audit. Learn how to sort, classify, and assess what’s going to landfill — and identify how your systems can be improved to reduce, divert, and redesign waste.

Wānanga Four: Paparanga Para | The Waste Hierarchy

Discover practical alternatives to landfill. Learn how to compost, recycle, reuse, and most importantly, avoid and reduce waste. Connect these practices to both the modern waste hierarchy and traditional Māori values.

Barriers and Solutions

Many people feel overwhelmed when starting their sustainability journey. Wānanga Tuapapa meets you where you are — with tools, values-based learning, and practical steps that make zero waste and zero carbon living more accessible. Whether you’re a beginner or seeking to reconnect with the kaupapa, our wānanga provide the clarity and confidence to take action.

Ready to build a strong foundation for climate action in your whānau, hapū, or community?

Wānanga Tuapapa offers a values-based starting point for anyone wanting to reconnect with te taiao and take practical steps toward a zero waste, zero carbon future. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to strengthen your understanding, these wānanga are designed to empower everyday action grounded in mātauranga Māori. Let’s kōrero about hosting Wānanga Tuapapa in your rohe. Get in touch with us.