top of page

Mō Mātou | About Us

Our Story

Mission

Healthy environments supported by thriving communities.

Vision

A voice for the environment, a centre for learning and a catalyst for change.

History

Go Eco began as a small kākano (seed) in 1993 with the creation of the Hamilton Community Environmental Programme. Growing community interest led to the formation of the Hamilton Environment Centre Trust in 2002, and by 2003 the Centre was a hub for conservation, waste minimisation, energy efficiency, and sustainable living.

As a tipu (seedling), the Trust expanded its focus to the wider Waikato region, becoming the Waikato Environment Centre Trust.

 

In 2015, it helped establish the national network Environment Hubs Aotearoa (EHA). Now a kōhuri (sapling), the Centre introduced new initiatives including Kaivolution food rescue, e-waste recycling, a sustainable living store, and expanded community education.

The Centre rebranded as Go Eco in 2017, reflecting its broader role and growing activities. Today, as a mature rākau whai hua (fruiting tree), Go Eco supports a regional ecosystem of communities, ideas, and projects that foster healthy environments and thriving Waikato communities.

Our Projects

Go Eco enables practical, community-shaped solutions that recognise the health of te taiao and people as inseparable, with projects that drive systems change guided by mana whenua, hapū, and local knowledge.

AdobeStock_1393982822_Preview_edited.jpg

Environment

Programmes to enable predator control, habitat restoration, pekapeka-tou-roa bat protection, and wetland biodiversity and restoration. 

NUI_GOECO_KAIHUI-014 (1).jpg

Food + Water

Kai and Wai is a regional programme that connects communities and landowners to restore healthy wetlands and strengthen local food systems.

20250411_144130_edited.jpg
Para Kore

Zero Waste

A Waikato where people, whenua and taiao thrive through circular, regenerative, and tikanga-aligned waste systems led by communities.

Our Team

Louise Hutt.jpg

Louise Hutt

Chairperson

Passionate about evidence-based decisions, future-focused strategies, and telling stories that change hearts and minds.

  • LinkedIn
Matt Kofoed.jpg

Matt Kofoed

Trustee

Matt is a process driven communication, engagement and stakeholder management professional, specialising in the civil construction industry. 

  • LinkedIn
Louche-Celine-2022.jpg

Céline Louche

Trustee

Professor of Business & Society, University of Waikato

  • LinkedIn
Areta.jpg

Areta R.

Trustee

Emerging Kaupapa Māori evaluator. Nō Ngāi Tūhoe me Ngāti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana.

  • LinkedIn
Helen_Percy.jpg

Helen Percy

Trustee

Strategic planning and senior scientist. Helen focuses on the ‘how’ in research practice to create impact for society and the environment.

  • LinkedIn
Ellieda.jpg

Ellieda

Trustee

Ellida is a trustee of Go Eco.

  • LinkedIn
dani-2025-23_edited.jpg

Danielle Marks

Trustee

Passionate about mana motuhake.He mokopuna tenei o Te Arawa, Tūwharetoa, Fiji, Tonga hoki.

  • LinkedIn
Cassidy Temese.jpg

Cassidy Temese

Trustee

Cassidy is a trustee of Go Eco.

  • LinkedIn

Our Board

Name

Job title

Click here to edit the text and include the information you would like to feature about this person and their role.

  • LinkedIn

Name

Job title

Click here to edit the text and include the information you would like to feature about this person and their role.

  • LinkedIn

Name

Job title

Click here to edit the text and include the information you would like to feature about this person and their role.

  • LinkedIn

Name

Job title

Click here to edit the text and include the information you would like to feature about this person and their role.

  • LinkedIn

Name

Job title

Click here to edit the text and include the information you would like to feature about this person and their role.

  • LinkedIn

Name

Job title

Click here to edit the text and include the information you would like to feature about this person and their role.

  • LinkedIn

Name

Job title

Click here to edit the text and include the information you would like to feature about this person and their role.

  • LinkedIn

Name

Job title

Click here to edit the text and include the information you would like to feature about this person and their role.

  • LinkedIn

Funders

Thank you to our funders, whose support makes it possible to scale community initiatives, protect ecosystems, and drive real climate-positive change across Waikato.

image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png

Networks

Go Eco actively networks with like-minded, values-driven organisations across Aotearoa to share knowledge, collaborate on projects, and amplify impact for communities and the environment.

image.png
image.png
image.png

Subscribe to our pānui

Get the latest updates with zero content to landfill, and zero regrets.

image.png

Phone: 07 839 4452

Address: 25A Devon Road, Frankton, Hamilton 3204

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Website designed by Creative Good

bottom of page