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.
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Taiao | Environment – Predator control, habitat restoration, pekapeka-tou-roa protection, and wetland biodiversity work that strengthens ecosystems and community capability.
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Kai + Wai – Food + Water – A regional programme connecting communities and landowners to restore wetlands and grow resilient, local food systems.
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Para Kore – Zero Waste – Working toward a Waikato where people, whenua, and taiao thrive through community-led, circular, regenerative, tikanga-aligned waste systems.
Our Team
Our Board
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.
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.
