HZCW is a registered, charitable, environmental education trust.

They run various community events that help schools and households learn about climate-friendly ways of living.

A big focus is on educating people about the importance of soil and promoting climate action. 

Betsy Kettle, a trustee, talks to us about how the organisation came about and settled into its current position. 

She says that from the organisation's beginning in 2008, they focused strongly on teaching about soils and alternatives to chemical fertilisers across Rodney District. 

An important thing she noted was the connection between soils and their use as a ‘carbon sink’.

This is a natural process that removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. 

When asked about how Betsy managed and started this organisation, she notes that it was started while she shouldered her full-time job and various other commitments. 

“It’s kind of grown from two or three of us to, there’s about eleven of us now.”

When asked how the organisation has changed, Betsy said it hasn’t.

The goals have always been the same, but new opportunities and methods have been brought into the fold.

“Yeah, we just talk about it in more different ways.”

HCZW hosts various programmes throughout the community where if profits are made, they are used to benefit the community rather than increase the profits of shareholders. 

You can learn more about HCZW from their website below.  

https://hibiscuscoastzerowaste.co.nz/home