A new laundromat in Tolaga Bay is improving access to laundry services for East Coast communities, while leading the way in sustainable community infrastructure with a wetland system and on-site nursery.
Led by Te Aitanga‑a‑Hauiti Centre of Excellence Trust, the project was supported with $350k from Trust Tairāwhiti, recognising the clear local need and long‑term benefits for Ūawa and neighbouring communities.
A survey of 150 Ūawa residents found that 8 per cent have difficulty washing clothes at home due to limited water access, unreliable infrastructure or no laundry facilities.
“Locals have had to travel to Gisborne every week, a two‑hour round trip, just to do their laundry,” says principal of Tolaga Bay Area School and Kahukuranui, Nori Parata.
“With many young and large families in Ūawa, alongside a strong local workforce in forestry, farming and roading, the need for a reliable, accessible laundromat here is high.
“The community also has a commitment to environmental sustainability, so designing a wetland was the responsible way to deliver the facility while protecting the taiao.”
Sustainability has been central to the laundromat design from the outset. Greywater from the laundromat is treated through a multi‑stage system. It’s filtered through a purpose‑built wetland, UV‑treated, and then reused onsite at the Ūawanui Nursery.
“The entire laundromat is designed in a sustainable way and can benefit the community for generations to come,” says Wolfgang Kanz, director of Awamoana and wetland designer.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to have a facility managed in Ūawa, for the community, by the community.”
