"If every one did just one small thing for our environment every single day, we will start to make a difference that will count"
- Kate Fenwick -
Our
Mission
About Our Team
Specialising in public, corporate and private education, Waste-Ed With Kate delivers tailor-made sessions, drawing on common consumer insights to deliver captivating, motivational presentations to create meaningful consumer behaviour change.
We pride ourselves on our relatability, realism and positive approach to the waste problem. We believe every kiwi can make a change for a better tomorrow
About Kate:
I'm not a vegan, I drive a V8, and don't hug trees, but I do care about the future of the planet.
When I discovered that there is no magical hole in the ground that disappears our overconsumption of single-use products, I got worried, and then I got educated.
The topic of waste can be hard to navigate (and often boring), because there are so many myths surrounding waste, recycling, compostable and biodegradable products that people get overwhelmed.
I have been called many things, The Nappy Lady, NZ's own waste free warrior, and a should be stand up comedian and I now currently go by the name Kate....
I run up to 200 events per year in person and online and have been touring the country talking about rubbish for over 17 years now.
In all of my courses I draw from my own experiences as a typical modern day consumer by sharing stories and insights to create a greater awareness of the choices we are making.
Lets face it, if we all do nothing because it seems like we are not making a difference, or if we keep burying our heads in the sand thinking the problem is too big, nothing will ever change and we have to question what legacy will we leave our future generations.
About Brody:
Brody has been a part of the team for over 10 years now, and in that time has worn just about every hat under the sun.
He works closely with Councils and clients to organise and manage our workshops and online programmes, promotes events far and wide, and helps make sure everything runs smoothly.
In recent years, Brody managed several research projects focused on behaviour change, helping shape and strengthen our programmes as we continue to grow and evolve.
Originally from the Bay of Plenty and armed with a degree in Business Management (majoring in Marketing), he brings both strategy and heart to everything he does.
Outside of a passion for sustainability and behaviour change, you’ll find him watching or playing sport (especially cricket and basketball) with his daughter Naomi on his knee, strumming his guitar, op-shop hunting, and hanging out with his dogs, Bingo and Muffin
Waste Free Period Programme Manager
Charlotte Baker
Phone: +64204961317
Email: Charlotte@wastedkate.co.nz
About Charlotte:
With a strong background in project management and administration, Charlotte plays a key role in delivering our Waste Free Period Programme in schools and community groups across the country.
As both a presenter and project manager, she's on a mission to break the stigma around periods and educate people about reusable alternatives with a practical and judgement free approach.
She also supports the wider business with admin and project coordination, to help keep the wheels turning behind the scenes.
Passionate about sustainability and simple living, she is proudly the token office hippy, bringing a calm energy and thoughtful perspective to everything she does.
Outside of the office, she's usually dancing on her surfboard, experimenting in the kitchen, or lovingly tending to her plants and sourdough starter.
Multicultural Educator
- Mandarin
Peri Guan
Email: peri(at)wastedkate.co.nz
About Peri:
Peri is a creative thinker who loves turning random ideas into real things - Sometimes a little too quickly.
With a Master's Degree in Marketing and a particular love for event marketing, you might expect her to be an extrovert. Surprisingly she is actually an introvert (according to MBTI)...
Though you probably wouldn't guess that once she gets comfortable - she talks a lot.
When she was younger she was drawn to activities that didn't quite match her gentle appearance like riding motorbikes and training in Muay Thai.
In her spare time Peri is a self proclaimed "Foraging Master" and is always excited to share practical ways to reduce waste, whether on stage or in everyday conversations.
Multicultural Educator
- Fijian
Unaisi Raleqe
Email: Una(at)wastedkate.co.nz
About Unaisi Raleqe:
Una is currently the manager of the Canterbury Fiji Social Services Trust. She has spent over two decade in serving the Canterbury Community Trust.
Una moved to New Zealand in 2003 and loves the relaxed lifestyle her and her family have in Canterbury. Over the past 20 years Una has enjoyed raising her family and now 4 grandsons in a kiwi environment.
She is still waiting for a granddaughter to arrive some day. She is passionate about supporting the community in what ever capacity she can.
Una is excited and passionate about bringing our food waste education to the Fijian community throughout New Zealand.
She fully understands that food is integral within the Fijian Culture and is passionate about encouraging the minimisation of food waste within our cultural settings.
Multicultural Educator
- Samoan
Eirenei Vailaau-Ah Kuoi
Email: Eirenei(at)wastedkate.co.nz
About Eirenei :
Eirenei Vailaau-Ah Kuoi is a proud Samoan woman, mother of five, and community leader based in Porirua. She is passionate about supporting Pacific communities and sharing practical knowledge that helps families thrive.
With roots in Vaiala, Lufilufi and Falealili, and connections through her husband to Tuana’i and Manu’a, Eirenei is grounded in the values of alofa (love), faaaloalo (respect), and tautua (service). These values guide her work and her approach to engaging with community.
Eirenei is the Chief Executive Officer of Atamu EFKS Porirua, where she leads initiatives across education, health, and social services to empower Pacific families . She also recently completed a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and supports the teachers at Atamu’s Aoga Amata EFKS Porirua, where they work alongside families to build strong foundations for children’s learning through Gagana Samoa, appreciating God’s provision, and enjoying His creation.
With a background in law and a Master of Business Administration specialising in entrepreneurship, she brings both strategic leadership and a deep understanding of community needs .
Through Waste-Ed workshops in Gagana Samoa, Eirenei shares practical ways to reduce food waste and creates space for communities to connect, contribute, and be heard.
Inspired by her upbringing in Samoa, where food was valued, respected, and shared, Eirenei invites others on a journey to reconnect with these values together in everyday life.
She loves learning and, most of all, loves sharing that knowledge with her community.
Multicultural Educator
- Indian
Anqush Kumar
Email: anqush(at)wastedkate.co.nz
About Anqush:
Anqush was born and raised in the Bay of Plenty, shaped by the landscapes, communities, and cultural influences that surrounded him.
With both Punjabi and Māori heritage, he carries a blended identity that informs the way he understands connection to people, to whenua, and to the food systems that sustain communities. This background has given him a deep appreciation for tradition, hospitality, and the responsibility that comes with caring for the land.
Today, Anqush works as both a kiwifruit grower and a Finance Manager. These two paths may appear different, but for him they complement each other in meaningful ways. His work in horticulture keeps him grounded to the land and the realities of food production. His accounting expertise provides him with the strategic and analytical skills needed to navigate modern business, governance, and the financial side of the food sector. Together, these roles allow him to bridge practical experience with professional insight.
A strong commitment to reducing food waste sits at the centre of his work. For Anqush, this commitment is cultural, personal, and values driven. Growing up with a belief that food should be respected and never taken for granted, he learned early that wasting food means wasting effort, whakapapa, and the care that goes into producing it. This perspective continues to guide his approach to sustainability, community engagement, and the future of food in Aotearoa.
Whether he is working on the orchard, contributing his expertise in a professional setting, or engaging with communities, Anqush brings a perspective shaped by heritage, responsibility, and a desire to create meaningful change.