We are privileged to work with some fantastic folk!

Here are just some of the wonderful people who make up our Waiwaste team…

Christine Kernohan

Co-Chair

Originally from Scotland, I have lived in NZ for more than 45 years, and in the Wairarapa for more than 25. For many of these years I was the owner of Gladstone Vineyard, introducing and developing sustainable winegrowing practices there and being original members of Sustainable Winegrowing NZ. 

Now retired, I am a ‘greenie’ with a huge concern about the future of the planet, and the state I am leaving the world for my children and grandchildren. Personally, we integrate as many sustainable practices as we can into our life.

My involvement with Waiwaste is a way to practically make a difference in my own community by working to limit food waste and therefore methane emissions here in the Wairarapa. 

Louise Lee

Co-Chair

I am passionate about reducing food waste and supporting food secure communities, both as a researcher and a volunteer.

After working as an academic in management and sustainability issues at Massey University and the Open Polytechnic I retired to live in the Wairarapa in 2020. My research has lately focused on collective approaches to address climate change, including projects on food rescue and reducing single-use plastics in food retail.

I see my involvement with Waiwaste as a very tangible way to involve business and community in mitigating harmful climate change impacts of food waste to landfill as well as reducing food insecurity.

Vic Ross

Manager

I have lived in the Wairarapa for twelve years now, moving here from Wellington via London, and have developed a great love for the area and the people in it. Having been a Librarian for nine years, I saw the job at Waiwaste advertised and thought ‘That’s my job!’.

I absolutely love the kaupapa of the organisation as it’s both environmental and social, and am proud to be working for such a busy non-profit. I currently live in Greytown with a husband, two children and a menagerie of pets and garden beds.

Laura Garland

Operations Manager

Born in London and raised in a village in the Cotswolds, I travelled to NZ after university. I have lived in NZ for 35 years, mostly in Wellington, more recently in the Wairarapa.

My experience of food was that it was mostly grown in a garden, protein was from eggs or from meat sourced locally. Food waste was a bucket for compost in the kitchen, meat bones went in the fire to be later spread in the garden. Vegetable scraps were made into stock for soup and any excess food was preserved or shared with neighbours. Seeing consumable food, often wrapped in plastic in a rubbish bin is a shock!

Working at Waiwaste, I see food waste being actively minimised. Consumable food prevented from entering our landfill, distributed to community groups and plastics cleaned and recycled. It is a privilege to be working alongside volunteers, donors, food producers and community groups with a shared passion and common goal.

Elise Sadler

Board Member/Founding Member

I am NZ born, with many years overseas working in education, mostly in Asia. 

When returning to NZ 8 years ago I came to the Wairarapa and helped to create Waiwaste in its early days. It was a fantastic way to rapidly become a part of this fantastic community, and feel that I was contributing to our environmental wellbeing 

I was employed in the role of coordinator just before Covid arrived and, with govt funding, we were able to transition Waiwaste from a mobile service to having a well equipped base and electric vehicles.

It’s always felt good to be reducing our food waste and consequently our methane emissions, and also feeding people. 

My contribution is now at Board level, supporting the kaupapa in whatever way I can. Or I can be found in my garden!

Jeremy Logan

Treasurer/Founding Member

The seeds of WaiWaste were planted after a presentation about the work of Kaibosh in February 2013. A small group of us who attended that meeting were inspired to start a local food rescue venture which began with small steps collecting from local cafes.

My main motivation for establishing Waiwaste was to reduce landfill waste and the associated greenhouse gas emissions, and that we could provide good food for people experiencing food poverty was a real bonus. For the last twenty years I have been the manager of ChangeAbility. We now have a food pantry, with food from Waiwaste, for our clients who are experiencing financial hardship.

I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside so many wonderful people who have helped grow Waiwaste to what it is now.