Nelson Environment Centre

25/06/2026

The Mayor's Morning Tea was hosted last week (16th June, 2026) for National Volunteer Week, hosted by Volunteer Nelson.

We had a number of our volunteers represented, including from Kai Rescue, EWaste and our ReUse shops.

Mayor Nick Smith spoke to the volunteers to thank them for their efforts.

A massive thank you to our 70+ volunteers - we couldn't do our mahi without them!

This group of amazing people represent a tiny tip of the iceberg of 1000s of volunteers who give of their time to help others in our Nelson Tasman region - our community truly would not function without you!

23/06/2026

Ball season is here 🎉 and Nelson students are showing up in style — without the splurge.

The Nelson Ball Op Shop on Trafalgar St has formalwear for sale, with donations from NEC's ReUse Shops and other local organisations. Funds raised support school environmental groups and Kai Rescue. 💚

Textile ResQ Collective will again be on hand to provide instore fittings and adjustments!

Good things. Good causes. Good prices.

📍 181–183 Trafalgar St | Open until 4 July

🕞 Weekdays 3:30–5:30pm | Sat 10:30am–3pm | Sun 1–3pm

Nelson ball op shop cuts student costs

23/06/2026

22/06/2026

FREE E-Waste Drop Off Ends Soon
Remember to get that box of cables, ancient iPhone, or pesky slow tablet to us by the end of June for free drop off.
FREE to Businesses and Individuals!

17/06/2026

We are excited for our newest kiwi 🥝

Congratulations to Mani, who works in our ReUse shops, on becoming a NZ citizen

16/06/2026

Check out the before and after of the floor in our Kai Rescue Van

Huge huge ahwi to Nelson Whakatū Menzshed and Mitre 10 MEGA Nelson for assisting us with the design and construction of our new Kai Rescue van floor!!! Beautiful craftsmanship from Wayne, Richard and the team - what an amazing welcoming workshop down at Founders Park. Thank you.

16/06/2026

Kai Rescue is not alone in the funding pressures it faces.

Many food rescue organisations around Aotearoa are facing difficult funding decisions.

Aotearoa needs a national policy around food security to ensure that good food doesn't go waste and that no belly goes to bed hungry

The food rescue and food bank sector is calling on the government to develop a national policy around food security as many charities risk facing closure.

15/06/2026

Thank you to our amazing volunteers who work across our waste minimisation programmes 💚

14/06/2026

Well this is adorable 💚
Thank you so much for your fundraising efforts - but also for the kaitiaki of our earth that you are teaching our young people 🌏

This morning our tamariki came dressed in their pyjamas, costumes, and favourite outfits to support an amazing cause — Kai Rescue! 🥳💛

We have been absolutely blown away by the generosity of our whānau and community. Thanks to your kindness, we have already raised over $100 to support the important work of rescuing food and helping people in our community. Ka mau te wehi! 👏

Our tamariki have loved showing off their outfits while learning about how we can care for people and the environment by reducing food waste. 🌎🍎

Ngā mihi nui to everyone who donated and supported this fundraiser. Every contribution makes a difference.

Mā tātou katoa te taiao e tiaki – together we can care for our environment and community. 💚

To learn more about Kai Rescue and the wonderful work of the Nelson Environment Centre, visit:
Environment Centre – Kai Rescue - https://www.nec.org.nz/kai-rescue

Thank you for helping our tamariki make a positive impact! 🌟

Tasman Kindergartens 💚🌿

14/06/2026

Thanks for coming to visit Blair Cameron for Nelson Tasman it was great to show you around NEC and Kai Rescue

Had an awesome morning with the Kai Rescue team today! I’m pictured here with Nelson Environment Centre CEO Andrew and volunteer Helen, one of the many amazing volunteers who help keep this service running week after week.

Kai Rescue is a common-sense local initiative that makes a huge difference for the environment and for the people who need it most. Food that might otherwise go to waste is collected, sorted, packed, and sent out to a stack of awesome local organisations, like Tahunanui Community Hub - Te Tari Hapori ki Tahunanui, Victory Community Centre, and Whakatu Marae who then get the food out to the people in our community who need it. It all relies on people showing up and helping out.

Recently Kai Rescue faced a real funding crisis and needed to raise $40,000 to keep going. And our community really stepped up. In a matter of days, Nelson Environment Centre, which runs Kai Rescue, raised the funds it needed.

A big shout-out also to Woolworths New Zealand, one of Kai Rescue’s biggest supporters. Woolworths is running a big fundraiser this week where local customers can round up their purchases at the checkout to support Kai Rescue, and they have kick-started it with $5,000. Every little bit helps, and it will make a real difference to keeping this fantastic service going. Big ups to the Kai Rescue team, the volunteers, local donors, Woolworths, and everyone who helps get food where it is needed most.