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Member Spotlight: Kim Renshaw

Written by WasteMINZ | 29 October 2025

In this member spotlight, we talk to  Kim Renshaw, team leader: waste minimisation & education at Tauranga City Council. 

Kim is a new Behaviour Change Sector Group Steering Committee member, and says organising a zero-waste event in 2013 started her love affair with waste and system design. 

"I work in the waste minimisation and engagement space and love the continual opportunity for improvement and contributing to better outcomes for people and planet. It’s a very humbling and rewarding space to work in." 

 
Tell us about your organisation

Tauranga is New Zealand’s fifth largest city, and one of the fastest growing in the country. Tauranga City Council serves the population of more than 162,000 residents. We provide and maintain infrastructure for our growing city, deliver efficient services to our communities, and invest in Tauranga’s future to ensure it is, and continues to be, a great place to live, work and play.

What attracted you to the waste industry, and what do you enjoy most about the industry?   

I joined the waste industry in 2013, after turning my event into a zero waste one - I needed to work with a composter to design the system of packaging and ensure the waste was sorted. It began a love affair with waste and system design, with very practical undertones. I work in the waste minimisation and engagement space and love the continual opportunity for improvement and contributing to better outcomes for people and planet.  

 What advice would you give to a young professional in waste space?   

Go out and talk to the processors, collectors and put some gloves on. Getting your hands dirty and actually thinking about the system and identifying the problems is the only way you’ll be able to start on solutions. Stay passionate and surround yourself with inspiring people - this industry is full of them. It’s a very humbling and rewarding space to work in. 

What are you reading or listening to right now?

I have just started listening to the Anxious Generation by Jonathon Haidt, and conversely, I always have a serial killer fiction book by James Patterson for some light weekend/bedtime reading 😉 

Describe your perfect day outside of work

Beach, waves and sunshine.
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