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Waikato District Council - Te Kaunihera aa Takiwaa o Waikato

With over 533 tonnes of fabric waste ending up in our district’s landfill each year, we're on a mission to combat the negative effects of fast fashion locally.

In 2020, Waikato District Council conducted research into waste habits across the district and discovered that the average household threw away nearly half a kilogram of fabric waste in one week. 

Luckily there are many ways to buy great clothes at good prices without indulging in fast fashion, and were keen to help spread the word on how you can refresh your clothes without contributing to fabric waste. 

Upcoming events

We’ve partnered with stylists, sewing experts and waste minimisation champions to run a range of events across the district, supported by the Ministry for the Environment Waste Minimisation Funding. 

From sustainable style events to bus tours that explore second-hand shops and take advantage of slow fashion, you can expect to revamp your wardrobe without contributing to the negative effects of fabric waste.

No events found.

  • Looking to explore fresh op-shops, be a bit lighter on the planet, and keep your wallet happy? This is the event for you!

    Join us for an inspiring sustainable fashion bus tour, brought to you as part of Slow Fashion September.

    We’ll pick you up in Ngaaruawaahia and travel to Hamilton sharing our favourite second hand shops, sustainable fashion tips and pearls of sustainable shopping wisdom along the way. You’ll enjoy a leisurely day browsing the racks, meeting new people and hopefully leave with a couple of bargains.

    Tickets are sold out! There is a waitlist to join and you will be the first to know if more tickets become available.

    Learn more and grab a ticket today!

  • Learn how to repair rips and tears in woven garments using techniques including sewing machine-based repairs, machine darning, patching, decorative appliqué and traditional sashiko stitching.

    This is a FREE event. Registration required.

    Learn more and register today!

  • Learn how to make simple clothing repairs, including hemming trousers and skirts and sewing buttons back on. The workshop will cover both machine and hand-sewing techniques, so you can fix your clothes at home even without a sewing machine.

    This workshop is FREE. Registration required.

    Learn more and register today!


  • Practical tips to declutter, buy better, and get more out of your clothes.

    Join best-selling author and speaker Nic Turner for The Simple Wardrobe Workshop - a fun, practical session full of real-life tips to help you love what you wear and waste less.

    Tickets are $10.

    Learn more and grab a ticket.


  • No prior sewing experience is required for this workshop. 

    Learn simple stitching, patching, visible mending, hemming and repairing techniques. We are focusing on extending the life of garments through practical and achievable techniques.

    Includes: Hot & cold drinks.

    You’re encouraged to bring along garments in need of repair. 

    Tickets are $20.

    Learn more and buy tickets.


  • Simple sewing machine skills are required to get the most from this workshop.

    This workshop focuses on design-led thinking, encouraging up cycling, reconstruction and reimagining your garments or thrifted finds. Think halving a dress into a matching set, or reconstructing a mens business shirt into a cute blouse.

    Includes: Hot & cold drinks

    Bring along your chosen garments to explore creative techniques to transform them.


Collector Anonymous App

Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play for an interactive insider’s guide to thrift stores, zero waste initiatives, sharing, community markets and secondhand stores across the Waikato District.

Get exploring and lower your fashion carbon footprint whilst falling in love with your clothes all over again. 

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Last updated 12 August 2026, 09:43 am

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