Auckland Council has released the results of its public consultation on a proposed six-month trial of fortnightly kerbside rubbish collections in parts of Te Atatū Peninsula, Panmure / Tāmaki and Clendon Park / Weymouth, with 78% of submitters opposed to the trial.
Between 13-31 October, the Council received 5,086 submissions on the proposed trial. Of the submitters who responded to the question of trialling fortnightly rubbish collection in selected areas, 78% opposed the trial, 4% were unsure, and 18% supported it.
While overall submissions were largely opposed, the Council says feedback gathered in person through community partners was more-evenly split, with 35% in support, 24% unsure and 41% opposed. The consultation results will now be considered by the Policy, Planning and Development Committee, which will make a decision on the future of the proposed trial at its next meeting in December.
Auckland Council’s General Manager Waste Solutions, Justine Haves says the feedback provides important insights into how some Aucklanders feel about a fortnightly kerbside rubbish collection trial.
“For those submitters who are opposed, the strongest themes were concerns about whether their overall bin capacity would be sufficient, including managing fuller bins, potential odour and hygiene issues and how a change like this could work for large or multi-generational households,” says Ms Haves.
“On the other hand, supporters highlighted the need to reduce waste to landfill and the opportunity to test the service before any wider decisions are made. Some also noted they don’t produce enough rubbish to need a weekly collection.”
Ms Haves says the council has carefully analysed the submitters feedback, and thanks those who shared their views during consultation.
“The feedback is valuable and means we can review how effectively the proposed trial design is able to address or mitigate many of the concerns raised.”
“If the trial goes ahead, we will offer additional and larger bins at no cost, support households with higher waste needs, and provide a one-off rates remission for participating ratepayers. We’ll also closely monitor how households are managing throughout the trial and adjust the support available if further help is needed.”
The proposed trial is designed to support Auckland’s 2024 Waste Minimisation and Management Plan, which sets a target to reduce household kerbside waste by 29% per person by 2030.
Eighteen other councils in New Zealand currently run fortnightly kerbside rubbish collections, including Hamilton and Tauranga, where households have reduced waste to landfill by around 50%.
If approved, the trial would run for six months from late February to late August 2026. In December, the Policy, Planning and Development Committee will decide on the future of the trial.
A summary of the consultation results will be available at AK Have Your Say in December, alongside the committee decision.
