Localised is the commercial arm of the Zero Waste Network. It is on a mission to expand the scale and impact of community-led resource recovery enterprises throughout Aotearoa.
Through various partnerships, Localised has established sites throughout Auckland, Kāpiti and Wellington, all locally led and focused. From collecting e-waste and timber to redistributing recovered materials through creative and community projects, these sites strengthens Aotearoa’s circular economy, supports local resilience, and connects people through shared solutions to the waste problem.
Why did we invest?
Lending alongside Kiwibank, and taking a catalytic position in the loan structure, our capital enabled Localised to develop two warehouses for Auckland Council’s inorganic collections, located in Tāmaki and Wairau.
These warehouses have since become bustling centres and a trusted space for community groups to access materials for upcycling and reuse. The Hubs also host a multitude of upcycling and creative initiatives, and they are intimately connected with the other sites that make up Auckland’s Resource Recovery Network. .
Localised helps communities establish their own resource recovery sites, primarily through Joint Venture (JV) partnerships. To date, three JVs have launched seven sites across the North Island, including the first Māori/Pasifika-led CRC in Onehunga.
Transaction Summary
IRIS+ is a set of generally-accepted system created by the Global Impact Investment Network (GIIN) to standardise impact metrics and themes.
Measuring What Matters
Centralised waste systems are overwhelmed and poorly equipped for effective resource recovery. Communities lack local infrastructure and remain reliant on outdated waste models that undermine resilience and circular reuse.
Short-term: Divert waste from landfill by enabling community participation in resource recovery and creating local value chains.
Long-term: Promote a circular economy and drive widespread behavioural change within communities.
Te Taiao and communities near Localised’s Auckland and joint venture sites.
Scale: Communities reached across Auckland and JV sites.
Depth: Increased community awareness and resilience through local value chain development.
Duration: Sustained improvements in waste management norms through Localised’s circular economy model and community partnerships.
Without Localised, materials suitable for reuse or recycling would be sent to landfill. Communities that depend on these materials would need to source elsewhere, often from less accessible public-sector options.
External risk: Localised’s ongoing operations rely on the Auckland Council inorganic collection contract. While renewal risk is low, it remains the key dependency for continued impact.
Volume of waste diverted from landfill for reuse and recycling.
Quantitative and qualitative data on how community gr
Impacts of enterprises on people and the planet can be understood across five dimensions, as defined by the Impact Management Project.
