The Wairoa landfill and council-related rubbish collections are now being managed by the Wairoa District Council utilising QRS staff at an operational level.

Wairoa District Council Chief Executive Matt Lawson said recycling and rubbish collections will continue as usual, with the Council focusing on improving the waste management service and managing cost escalations.

Mr Lawson said the landfill and collections were previously carried out under contract by Smart Environmental, with the contract expiring last Friday (November 6). “While we acknowledge this may be a difficult time for Smart Environmental staff, opportunities exist for this service to be led locally using Wairoa-based resources.

“We appreciate the community’s understanding while this changeover is occurring. We acknowledge there may be some teething issues and encourage people to call Council on 06 838 7309 if there are any problems with rubbish or recycling collections. Please note the wheelie bin collection is not part of a Council contract.”

Meanwhile, hours and collections remain as follows:

Landfill hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 8am-2pm. (Closed 25/26 December, 1/2  January, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Refuse Collection days

• From Wairoa to Mahia (but not including Wairoa), including Nuhaka and Māhanga - collections will be weekly on Mondays.
• Wairoa township and Frasertown collection is on Tuesdays.
• From Waihua to Kotemaori Settlement Rd, including Mohaka and Raupunga, collections weekly on Fridays.
• Tuai Village including Onepoto village, Waimako papakainga, Te Kuha papakainga, Piripaua village, SH38 (from Onepoto to Pakowhai Bridge) on Wednesdays.

Recycling Collection

The kerbside recycling collection for the Wairoa Urban area and Frasertown is split across two days:

Wednesday collection: Wairoa East - areas include south of the bridge, from but excluding SH2.

Thursday collection: North Clyde, Frasertown - areas include Wairoa west from and including SH2, North of the Wairoa bridge and Frasertown.

Recycling in the following rural areas is weekly on Thursdays: Kotemaori – Kotemaori Hall 9am, Raupunga – Former fire station 10am, Mohaka – Old pub site 12pm, Waihua – Beach turnoff 1pm, Tuai – Kokako Rd (intersection with SH38) to Pakowhai Bridge from 8.30am. 

Recycling in the following rural areas on scheduled Sundays: 

Second Sunday of the month: Te Reinga – Opposite old school 12.45pm-1pm and Ruakituri – Opposite school 1.30-2pm.

First and third Sunday of the month: Nuhaka – Opposite the public toilets and shops near the roundabout in Nuhaka, 9am - 11am and Mahia – 376 Kaiwaitau Rd, Mahia, 9am – 11.30am

9 November 2026

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