Environmental organisation Zero Waste Aotearoa is calling on the New Zealand Government to reject any plans to export its waste to Fiji, raising concerns over a proposed large-scale incinerator project.
The group said the facility, proposed by Australian company TNG Ltd, would be built along the Saweni coastline in Vuda—an area described as culturally significant and environmentally sensitive.
Spokesperson Sue Coutts warned the incinerator could process up to 900,000 tonnes of waste annually—more than four times Fiji’s own waste output.
“This incinerator would burn 900,000 tonnes of waste per year… leaving between 225,000 to 300,000 tonnes of highly toxic ash,” Ms Coutts said.
She said both emissions and ash from the plant would contain hazardous materials.
“When rubbish is burned these are concentrated in the ash… and some escape into the air,” she said.
The group also raised climate concerns, arguing the project would generate significant carbon emissions.
“Sending our waste to Fiji would mean offloading our climate emissions to Fijians,” Ms Coutts said.
Zero Waste Aotearoa described the proposal as “waste colonialism”, accusing developers of shifting environmental burdens to the Pacific after similar projects were rejected in Australia.
“It is completely unacceptable for New Zealand to impose onto Fiji the social and environmental burden of dealing with our waste,” she said.
A protest is planned outside the Fijian High Commission in Wellington, while a separate demonstration is expected in Fiji, as opposition to the project grows.
