Your Local Hub for Reuse, Recovery, and Community Action
At 239 South Highway, Whitianga, it’s a hive of activity each day as the Wāhi Tukurua team and volunteers are busy rescuing good, usable items from heading to landfill and giving them a fresh start in the community.
On site you’ll find our reuse shop with rescued items, such as tools, timber, appliances, furniture, homewares, clothing, and all sorts of quirky surprises. Everything is checked, sorted, tested, and repaired where needed before being offered back to the community at affordable prices. Some items make it to the online store or Trade Me, but the best finds are often snapped up onsite … so it pays to pop in regularly.
They accept donations of good-quality reusable items, as well as e-waste and building materials. (A small recycling fee applies to some e-waste to ensure safe, responsible processing.) And for those bigger clear-outs, their truck is out and about doing local ‘Reuse Roadies’ around the Mercury Bay – just message or phone to book a pickup.
In just the first month of operation, Wāhi Tukurua diverted over 5,150 kg of materials from landfill – building materials, tools, furniture, e-waste, and household goods, all kept in circulation. That’s five tonnes of waste not buried in the ground, and a massive win for our environment.
The shop and goods donation drop offs are open Tuesday to Saturday. Online shopping is available 24/7 at www.wahitukurua.co.nz.
So pop in for a browse – you never know what you’ll find, and every purchase or donation helps keep Mercury Bay beautiful.
Words by Kat Neilson-Jones
