The Kea Conservation Trust has expressed concern over a company’s decision to use Kea branding for its proposed $350 million waste-to-energy plant at Waimate, warning that it could be perceived as cultural appropriation. South Island Resource Recovery Ltd (SIRRL) has named its proposal to build the plant Project Kea using an image of a kea. Trust chair Tamsin Orr-Walker was

Yet another mayor lured by the offer of jobs and economic growth. Like Westport and Hokitika before him, Mayor Rowley is seen to put his support behind W-t-E proposal before any real details emerge. When asked for a “supporting statement,” Mayor Rowley obliged. Rowley said it was an exciting proposal which could create many benefits for the district. “This would

Waimate was supposedly chosen as the “perfect” location for a Waste-to-Energy plant. At least two failed previous proposals show this company’s propensity to target small towns. Why chose Waimate? The district landfills approximately 1200 tonnes of waste per year, while SIRRL wants to burn 365,000 tonnes annually. Why should Waimate have to shoulder the burden and resulting fallout from burning