Wāhi Tukurua – Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Centre Trust

New Interim Site and Online Store for Wāhi Tukurua

We’re excited to announce our new interim base in Whitianga, located right next to the Refuse Transfer Station at 239 South Highway. As a community-led charity, our mission is to rescue reusable materials and divert them from landfill, supporting sustainability, reducing waste, and creating local opportunities.

This temporary resource recovery site will operate for the next 12–18 months as we set up systems, start accepting goods, and prepare for a full launch.

We’re currently seeking volunteers and supporters to help us get up and running. Come join us and be part of something that makes a difference! 

We’ve also launched an online store, where quality rescued goods will be available to browse and buy, perfect for those looking for sustainable second-hand finds. Items will be able to be collected directly from our new interim site at 239 South Highway, Whitianga.

Please contact us via email if you have items that you would like to donate or would like to volunteer.

Whitianga Resource Recovery Centre

Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Centre Trust (MBRRCT) is a charitable trust created in 2020 to plan, establish, maintain and operate a waste reduction and recycling centre in Whitianga. The Centre is based on the successful business model of the Seagull Centre in Thames and will be located at the new Refuse Transfer Station (RTS), which is due to start construction on Moewai Road in 2024/25.

Purpose of the Trust

Our core purpose is to build the awareness, passion, capacity and confidence of our community to accelerate waste minimisation locally & be a leading voice in change nationally. We will do this by reducing the amount of waste going to landfill, creating employment opportunities within our community, on-selling reusable items at affordable rates, and developing or supporting educational activities on sustainability and environmental management.

We will work in conjunction with Thames-Coromandel District Council to construct a drop-off site at the new Refuse Transfer Station (RTS) site, where staff will go through what is being delivered and remove anything that can be reused or recycled before you move on to the landfill area. Our initial focus will be building and demolition waste, eventually expanding to any and all items which can be reused, recycled or repurposed. There will then be a shop established which will on-sell reusable items at an affordable rate. As the Centre grows, we aim to create opportunities for employment and for volunteers to contribute to waste reduction and repurposing.

Who are we?

Our team comprises trustees and volunteers who volunteer their time and skills, and who are passionate about reducing, recycling, and reusing. In attaining its purposes, the trust is committed to RESPECT/Guardianship, INTEGRITY/Leadership and INCLUSION/Heartfelt Connection. We will also be working closely with local iwi Ngāti Hei, in a consultancy role, to ensure the project aligns with Te Ao Māori principles.