Supporting a community to become sustainable.

Through projects that tackle environmental issues such as water, waste, energy and transport, the Waiheke Resources Trust is working towards making Waiheke a sustainable community.

It also runs the Waiheke Sustainability Centre – a space that not only houses the Trust’s offices but can be used by the wider Waiheke community and community groups for events and meetings.

General Manager of WRT Michael Maahs says,

"Since taking over the space in July 2016, we’ve worked hard to create a welcoming, inspiring place that’s accessible for all members of the community."

"We want groups who meet here to flourish and be encouraged to take sustainable action."

Last year WRT embarked on a project to install solar panels at the Waiheke Sustainability Centre as part of its work to make the centre a more sustainable place.

Thanks to the generosity of an Auckland Foundation donor, they were able to go ahead with phase one of the project and install 15 solar panels from a local supplier.

Michael says the first phase has been a great success.

"On a sunny day our panels generate roughly 22kW of energy - nearly enough to cover our daily electricity usage at the centre!"

"Not only has this helped to make the centre more sustainable, but we are also leading the way with renewable power sources within the community on Waiheke."

"A healthy and thriving environment allows a community to flourish."

WRT are now working on raising funds to complete the next two phases of the project.

If you’re interested in donating, or volunteering for WRT, visit www.wrt.org.nz/.

Photo supplied by Waiheke Resources Trust.