Green Waste Products NZ

 This is a long appreciation post but only because our journey to turn gorse into compostable golf tees has been supported by so many people. I acknowledge you all.  

It was October 2021, and I was searching through my pocket for a Kurol (throat lozenge) while walking up the 13th hole at the Kaikohe Golf Club. Upon not locating one I pulle

 This is a long appreciation post but only because our journey to turn gorse into compostable golf tees has been supported by so many people. I acknowledge you all.  

It was October 2021, and I was searching through my pocket for a Kurol (throat lozenge) while walking up the 13th hole at the Kaikohe Golf Club. Upon not locating one I pulled the entire contents out of my pocket and when I opened my hand I was greeted with a handful of plastic and wooden golf tees and tools and there in the middle of it all was that Kurol also wrapped in plastic.  That was the moment I started thinking about how we remove plastic from golf and what do we replace it with. Fast forward a few months and conversations and the next thing I knew we had landed on gorse.  

In February of 2022, although it was still early days, I applied to 'The Pick' a Northland Business Idea Competition supported by Northland Inc and Whariki to test the water. I totally wasn't ready for it and Jesse Henderson from Get Better Problems and the Programme Facilitator knew this also but managed to nurse me as best she could through the 10 weeks.  I wasn't a finalist but went along to support the finalists at that Pitch Night in Whangarei and remember thinking how cool they all were and how far away I was from being one of them. 

For the next 12 months I went to all the business networking events I could and talked to whoever would listen and then in March of this year it all changed.  We were selected as 1 of 10 National Māori Startup Businesses to participate in the 3-month Kokiri Māori Accelerator Programme. I'm the first to acknowledge that we've got a long way to go but I also know that we have come a long way. It's been an interesting, exciting, challenging and rewarding journey to say the least.  

Kokiri was an amazing experience of learning about the startup sector and connecting to it so thank you Saara Tawha for being you and for being an ambassador for Māori startups, Ian Musson our Coach who got me thinking from the get go to build a prototype and so he did on the 3D Printer, Amy, Shaani, and my fellow cohorts for all the support and laughs and follow ups that mustn't have been easy Shaani and to all the insightful speakers for adding knowledge to my kete, to Dave for filming the B-Roll footage and Deija and Jordan for whipping up our very first promo video and to The Wa for hosting our get togethers. 

Aunty Saara also connected me to our amazing Advisors, Des Topp, Kerry Topp and Simon Lovatt who thankfully enough continue to support and guide me. Thank you, guys, you truly are the essence of gorsome.  

I can't go any further without saying a special thank you to Lanie, Niekol, Mama Lu and Dave for putting up with me.  A big mihi to Wade, Vaughan, Lisa, Tukaha, Simon, Moana and Dad for all those meetings and in Moana's case all that poking and prodding. 

Vaughan, I still can't believe that you came up with those prototypes they were friggin amazing. I'll never forget how impressed I was with that first pic you sent through.  

I would also like to acknowledge the following individuals and organisations for your time, wisdom and support. I'm sure I'm going to miss some people out and if I do I apologise in advance. Just know you are appreciated. So here goes, thank you, Sophie, Daniel Mee, Andrea, Andrew, Shane and Daniel Lord from Callaghan; Stefan, Alex, Marc and Jeremey from Scion; Charlotte and Anna from Pledge Me; Des and the team at GMANZ, Karen T and Dad for the connection; Thiem and the team from NZ Golf; Rochelle who recently left Akina to return to study; Katy from Plastics NZ; awesome for reaching out Bronson from NZTE; Sophie T for being our first paying customer; Te Hiku Radio for the interview, Matua Rereata Makiha, Owen Eastwood for taking our tees to the Ryder Cup; the Northern Advocate/Herald, the Scoop and the team at NZ Entrepreneur Magazine; Jayden from ANEW; Rui from Critical: Jason and Zen from Transfibr (glad I went along to Robett's golf fun day), Rob Buchanan, Henare Johnson, Stefan for the timely chat and to all those golfers and Golf Clubs from around the country.  A big thanks to Team Rakai and everyone involved in that raffle fundraiser and the Rawene Golf Club for the koha.  

Imagine every invasive weed we extract from our environment becomes a catalyst for change.  Green Waste Products NZ is a circular solution for weeds.  Think weeds, think bioplastics, think changing landscapes.  Bring on 2024. 

Koro 

   This is a massive shout out to two amazing and humble planet ambassadors, Darcy and Mike who have been voluntarily picking up roadside litter in and around Kerikeri, Waipapa and beyond for a number of years between them.

I joined the team one month ago and what I actually didn’t realise was the scale of the problem. I want to acknowled

   This is a massive shout out to two amazing and humble planet ambassadors, Darcy and Mike who have been voluntarily picking up roadside litter in and around Kerikeri, Waipapa and beyond for a number of years between them.

I joined the team one month ago and what I actually didn’t realise was the scale of the problem. I want to acknowledge everyone (volunteers and paid workers) who have and are out there doing the good work. I appreciate you all so much more now.

This is not about highlighting the efforts of Darcy and Mike; I know that they would both prefer to remain anonymous. I can also confirm that they haven’t been doing this for the money, although I’m led to believe they find the odd $5 here and there.

This is about shining the light on our roadside litter problem and given I only have 7 followers it’s more of a flicker than a light.

I also know that this problem isn’t going to change overnight because changing the way we think and act takes time, generational even.

WE NEED TO BE BETTER ROLE MODELS.

Next time you are sitting in the passenger’s seat of the car, take a quick glance over at the roadsides if you haven’t already. I’m so confident that you will see a plethora of examples that I will quite happily give you the next $5 that Darcy or Mike find.

CAN WE PLEASE JUST TAKE IT HOME OR PUT IT IN A BIN.

Because taking it home or putting it in a bin is where the change starts. Some of it I am sure is an accident but there’s just too much of it, for it all to be an accident.

A big shout out to Alf and the team at Green by Nature previously Recreational Services for supplying the bags and giving us access to the skip and to Hugh and the team at Northland Waste - Kerikeri for also allowing us to drop our bags. We really appreciate your support.

If you are an early riser, and keen for a walk and a chat then reach out to us, the more the merrier.

 Koro was privileged to be invited to attend and speak at this year's GMANZ (Golf Managers Association of New Zealand) Summit. 

Thank you Des Topp for the opportunity to share our story. I really enjoyed all the presentations, learning about golf from a different perspective, making new connections and friends. 

There’s definitely a lot mor

 Koro was privileged to be invited to attend and speak at this year's GMANZ (Golf Managers Association of New Zealand) Summit. 

Thank you Des Topp for the opportunity to share our story. I really enjoyed all the presentations, learning about golf from a different perspective, making new connections and friends. 

There’s definitely a lot more stuff that goes on behind the scenes of golf than I realised and so I would like to acknowledge all the teams of people and volunteers across the country who enable us to play the game we love each and every day. 

Thanks to Amy and the team at Boulcott's Farm Heritage Golf Club for being awesome hosts and for all the delicious food. Congrats Amy also for taking out the GM of the Year Award. A big mihi to all the sponsors and attendees for an enjoyable and enriching summit.
Thank you to Des for all your support.

A big mihi to our mates from Rakai who gave a $3550.00 koha. 

In 2021 a bunch of us from the Rawene and Kaikohe Golf Clubs formed a golf group hence the name RAKAI. Team Rakai currently has 16 members having expanded to include friends from the Okaihau, Whangaroa and Kerikeri Golf Clubs. 

The main purpose of RAKAI is to get out and support 

A big mihi to our mates from Rakai who gave a $3550.00 koha. 

In 2021 a bunch of us from the Rawene and Kaikohe Golf Clubs formed a golf group hence the name RAKAI. Team Rakai currently has 16 members having expanded to include friends from the Okaihau, Whangaroa and Kerikeri Golf Clubs. 

The main purpose of RAKAI is to get out and support golf clubs across the Northland region, to promote the game of golf and to keep ourselves socially and physically active. 

In 2021, Team Rakai raised $4565.00 for the Northland Branch of the NZ Cancer Society and in 2022 they raised more than $15,000.00 and were able to support 3-year-old Rewi Rogers who has a life-threatening bleeding disorder known as Oesophageal Varices and Rob Buchanan from Kerikeri who 20 years ago founded MEND New Zealand. MEND stands for Mobility Equipment for the needs of the Disabled and provides prosthetic limbs, hearing aids, medical care and rehabilitation to children and adults challenged with disability and poverty. 

 Mid North golf tournament raises 'mind-blowing' amount for two worthy causes - NZ Herald 

Click on the link below to watch our Promo video. 

Innovating the golf sector by turning gorse into golf tees. - YouTube 

A massive thank you to David Lyden for filming our B-Roll video footage at the Kaikohe Golf Club and to Deija and Jordan for all the time and energy put into editing and creating awesome videos and for the amazing still 

Click on the link below to watch our Promo video. 

Innovating the golf sector by turning gorse into golf tees. - YouTube 

A massive thank you to David Lyden for filming our B-Roll video footage at the Kaikohe Golf Club and to Deija and Jordan for all the time and energy put into editing and creating awesome videos and for the amazing still imagery.  Give customers a reason to do business with you.

I 💚 our cohort for our collective desire to want to change the world and humanity. 

I 💚 Aunty Saara Tawha Shaani Tauroa, Amy, Ashleigh, Leon, Matty, Deija, Jordan, Talia and the whanau who prepared our meals and our rooms for all the attention to detail, for connecting us with tools and pathways, for creating memories we will cherish alw

I 💚 our cohort for our collective desire to want to change the world and humanity. 

I 💚 Aunty Saara Tawha Shaani Tauroa, Amy, Ashleigh, Leon, Matty, Deija, Jordan, Talia and the whanau who prepared our meals and our rooms for all the attention to detail, for connecting us with tools and pathways, for creating memories we will cherish always and for building a forever whanau. 

I 💚 our guest speakers for willingly and lovingly expanding our minds and hearts with experiential knowledge. 

I 💚 our coaches for their unconditional guidance and intent to always generate positive movement. A massive shoutout to our coach Ian Musson MBA. Bro you probably aren’t aware of the impact you had on Day 1 by making that 3D tee but that was the moment I went from neutral to third gear. Basically, you are responsible for gorsome. 

I 💚 our advisors for believing in us and for giving our wings feathers. A special mihi to Des Topp, Kerry Topp and Simon Lovatt for your encouragement and your generosity at all times of the day and night. No question was dumb and always received a response. We are beyond grateful that you are all available to support our journey post programme. To the Programme Sponsors, you are not just accelerating ideas you are accelerating life changing journeys that have the potential to accelerate wider life changing impacts and opportunities. Our Kokiri journey went from an idea in 2021 to 1.5 years later, making and selling gorse tees in 13 weeks. That’s pretty compelling. 

I 💚 our friends who always have our backs. Thank you to my bestie Moana Timoko who gently reminded me with pokes and prods to follow through and then she went and pledged $1000 to our campaign. You’re friggin amazing eaow. 

I 💚 the organisations who some of us earn a living from for your patience and awhi. I 💚 our supporters who without, the journey would be so much more difficult. I would like to acknowledge Chris from the Motueka Golf Club who was the first golf club to reach out and let us know how they can help. That meant a lot mate. 

I 💚 our families for your unwavering support and understanding. You kept the home fires burning and we are thankful. A special mention to my 17 year old baby who joined me on my long trips to keep me company. I’m so happy you were able to share these experiences with Dad and I’m even happier that you totally loved it. Thank you Aunty Saara and my cohort whanau for allowing my baby to be part of our journey. 

I 💚 my Mum and Dad for instilling in me the values that have made me the person I am today. I’m proud of the person I have become. Chur bro Wade for your tautoko when it was just a seed and not even an idea and for your continued tautoko. It's time to crack on with changing our landscapes one gorse golf tee at a time 💚🏌🏽🌱🌏👊🏾💚.