Tyrewise – New Zealand’s national tyre stewardship scheme – has announced its first tranche of funding recipients, who collectively receive more than $1.2m for projects that aim to give Kiwis’ old tyres a valuable second life.
For decades, tyres were largely an “out of sight, out of mind” issue, with tens of thousands of tonnes of end-of-life tyres stockpiled, landfilled or illegally dumped. “That was about as far from a sustainable solution as anyone could possibly imagine,” says Dominic Salmon, Fund Advisor for Puna Taurima, the Tyrewise Fund.
Established in 2024, Tyrewise exists to support development of robust, long-term solutions to use more of our tyre waste onshore, funded via a small tyre stewardship fee on tyres sold in New Zealand. In its first year alone, 155 Olympic swimming pools’ worth of tyres were diverted from domestic stockpiles and landfills. While a significant volume is still exported, Puna Taurima plans to funnel millions into research and development, community projects, and bright ideas that might see our tyres enjoying a long second life right here in New Zealand, says Dominic. “Midway through 2025 we put the call-out to find New Zealand’s thinkers, innovators and changemakers who had ideas for smart ways to use our tyre waste,” he says.
The first successful grant recipients were announced this month across nine novel projects. Five of the funded projects highlight one of the most promising uses for recycled tyre rubber - roading. “Data from overseas underscores the performance and resiliency benefits of using rubber in chip seal and asphalt binding,” says Dominic, “but we haven’t yet seen
widespread use in New Zealand. Using tyre-derived materials in future Kiwi roading projects could funnel between 16 and 18 thousand tonnes of old rubber tyres into New Zealand roading annually – establishing a high-value and circular system for repurposing tyres.”
Other funded projects investigate permeable paving and kerb systems using tyre-derived materials, explore the potential development of micronised tyre particles in construction, and there are community projects, too. Tyrewise funds have been allocated to school playgrounds in Marton and Bulls and at the Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa. Each will have its surfaces upgraded using repurposed tyre materials. “It will be softer, safer, more accessible and easier to maintain than what is currently installed, and a much nicer environment for children to play in.”
Dominic says each project funded via the Tyrewise Fund grows New Zealand's current and future capability to process, test and manufacture tyre-derived products onshore. “That means more new jobs and greater economic activity in engineering, construction and materials science. But the other huge win is in reducing the country's reliance on offshore markets for handling our waste tyres, which is a supply chain resilience gain too.”
Puna Taurima expects to distribute funds for further approved grants throughout the remainder of 2026, with the total sum reaching over $2.3 million.
The full list of recipients so far can be found at https://www.tyrewise.co.nz/successful-grants/ About Tyrewise
Tyrewise is New Zealand's national tyre stewardship scheme, funded by the tyre stewardship fee charged on imported tyres. Puna Taurima, the Tyrewise Fund, reinvests a portion of the fee into projects that build a domestic market for recycled rubber materials.
The scheme is accredited by the Ministry for the Environment and is operated by Auto Stewardship New Zealand, a not-for-profit trust which acts as the Product Stewardship Organisation. More information: tyrewise.co.nz
