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Ōrewa College students have been recognised for their work restoring a local estuary and reducing waste at school, taking out the Rangatahi Leadership category at the Tāmaki Makaurau Zero Waste Awards.
The awards, organised by EcoMatters Environment Trust and Auckland Council’s Waste Solutions team, were held on Thursday 6 August and recognised individuals and organisations working to reduce waste to landfill across Tāmaki Makaurau.
This year’s awards attracted 125 nominations across five categories, representing 102 groups, organisations and individuals, with some receiving multiple nominations.
Ōrewa College’s Enviro Group won the Rangatahi Leadership category for its work restoring a local estuary and running student-led waste reduction programmes.
The category recognises individuals and groups aged under 21 who demonstrate leadership and commitment to reducing waste in their communities. The category drew 21 nominations, part of 125 across the five award categories.
Celebrating the award, Ōrewa College highlighted the Enviro Group’s work both within the school and the wider community, writing on Facebook:
“Ākonga have helped restore the ecosystem at their local estuary, and at school they set up soft plastic recycling and food waste reduction programmes. Through Rangatahi Regeneration, the group brought students from other schools together to share ideas about sustainability.
“Student Enviro Coaches keep everyday sustainability visible around the kura, while the group’s media team encourages other ākonga to take environmental action.”
Enviro Leader Bhavitha Kotra, Christine Cooke and Sofia Brown were at the awards.
“It was incredible to meet other rangatahi who have made an environmental impact in their communities,” said Bhavitha.
The group came home with a framed certificate and a vase on a wooden plaque.
