12 May 2026: FOGO start delay, weather event remedial roading works

Media: Local Democracy Reporting

Topic: FOGO service start delay

Enquiry

I am just looking to follow up on the announcement last week that the FOGO rollout is being delayed. Just looking for some clarification on a few things for a story, if that’s ok?

Qs below.

What is the “specialist resin” referred to in the initial delay announcement. Is it a High-Density Polyethylene product?

Just to confirm, is this a case of a delay in the materials needed to manufacture the bins here in New Zealand or are their specific parts stuck in transition?

Who is the manufacturer of the bins?

Have any been made and delivered to RLC yet?

When were bins initially planned to be delivered to households?

When did council first become aware the July 1 rollout date was at risk?

Does council still expect the FOGO service to begin this year? Any indication on timeline?

Are any alternative suppliers or options now being considered to keep the rollout on track?

Has the delay created additional costs for council, contractors, or ratepayers?

Were contingency plans in place for supply chain disruptions before the rollout was announced?

Getting responses to these back by 12pm tomorrow would be great if possible.

Response

From Stavros Michael, Group Manager Infrastructure and Assets:

The bins are manufactured using a specialist High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is currently in limited supply due to global oil supply chain constraints. The delay relates to materials needed to manufacture the bins here in New Zealand, rather than finished components in transit.

The bins were intended to be supplied by SULO New Zealand, with the supply process managed through Council’s waste collection contractor, Smart Environmental. No bins have been able to be produced to date. Delivery to households was expected from May; however, Council was formally advised on 30 March that the timeline was at risk due to oil supply constraints as a result of conflict in the Middle East.

Alongside our contractor, we have been working to address and where possible mitigate this risk. On 23 April, Council was advised the shortage would impact the bin supply for the Rotorua Lakes Council FOGO service. Council is now assessing together with our contractor possible alternative options, including other suppliers and revised timeframes, which will be carefully considered to ensure value for money and the best outcome for the community. An update will be provided once this work is complete.

This disruption is driven by global supply disruption factors outside Council’s direct control. At the time contracts were agreed, supply chains were operating normally and no issues were or could be anticipated.

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Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Remedial roading works resulting from weather events

Enquiry

Additional to information provided to the reporter recently regarding remedial roading works and NZTA contributions to these, the reporter sought a breakdown of remedial projects including the cost of each.

Response

We explained to the reporter that we did not have this type of breakdown, but could provide information relating to the largest and provided the following, noting that figures were in millions ie $0.48 is $480,000 and $4.63 is $4.63million.

We provided a table with information about the largest remedial projects: Click to edit text