A two-week programme to sample household solid waste begins around the Wairarapa region on Tuesday 12 May.

Sunshine Yates Consulting Limited has been engaged by South Wairarapa, Carterton, and Masterton district councils to carry out the audit of kerbside rubbish.

The audit helps councils understand waste trends across Wairarapa and supports better planning for waste minimisation initiatives, infrastructure, and resources, helping to reduce pressure on landfills.

The audit in South Wairarapa will begin next week, from Monday 18 May.

If your street is selected, rubbish bags and wheelie bins may be assessed. Householders may notice their rubbish bags being collected, or wheelie bins emptied, by someone other than the normal Earthcare service. The person carrying out the programme will be wearing hi-vis and will carry a letter of authority.

The audit will measure the types and quantities of waste – for example food scraps, paper, and other materials.

No personal information will be collected or recorded. Any items containing sensitive information will be handled and disposed of appropriately.

The random audit is a requirement of the Wairarapa Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.