• Promote and encourage activities, developments and services that will stimulate the environmental well-being of the Waikato.

• Provide educational opportunities for residents of Hamilton and the greater Waikato.

• Foster, promote and encourage greater community involvement and participation in community environmental projects through heightened profile of local projects and achievements.

• Provide an umbrella group for the environmental movement in Hamilton and the Waikato (see also: organisations) and provide a vehicle for effective communication on environmental matters.

• Provide facilities and resources to members and to the public.

• Raise funds for the purposes of carrying out all or any of the objectives of the Trust.

How we started

In 1993 Hamilton City Council established the Hamilton Community Environmental Programme (CEP). The Programme was based on a growing community interest in maintaining and enhancing the local environment, and in recognition of a diverse range of skills, creativity and energy that the community possesses to make things happen.

The Programme has flourished into a forum represented by the plethora of environmental groups and organisations now existing in Hamilton and the wider Waikato region.

The Programme is now co-ordinated by the Waikato Environment Centre Trust. Operating from the Waikato Environment Centre, the Trust's main purpose is to act as a network through which environmental groups and organisations can raise their profile, where community involvement and support is encouraged, and where crucial links are established and maintained.

Waikato Environment Centre Trustees:

Pamela Storey (Chairperson)
Jason Cargo
Aaron Fleming (Hamilton City Council representative)
Bruce Graham
Helen Percy-Kessels
Marianna Tyler
Mark Servian
Grace Ng
Dane Hawtin

Waikato Environment Centre Co-ordinator: Katherine Hay

Groups located in the centre

• Hamilton Permaculture Trust (www.hamiltonpermaculture.org.nz)

• Greenpeace (www.greenpeace.org.nz)