Keep NZ Boss And Team Resign
The head of Keep New Zealand Beautiful (KNZB) and her team have resigned due to ongoing frustrations with the government, detailed in a critical letter. Image credit: Photo / Supplied NZ Herald
Heather Saunderson, who led KNZB for over ten years, warned that without government support, the 55-year-old organization might shut down in weeks. KNZB, famous for its “Be a Tidy Kiwi” campaign, runs various community and environmental programs with over 500 local branches and thousands of volunteers.
Saunderson explained that KNZB received $3 million in 2017 from the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) for a three-year project. However, after a government change that year, she faced difficulties with ministers and ministry managers. She also battled cancer in 2020.
Despite meeting its project goals, KNZB’s proposal for a $3 million, two-year extension was only given $1.3 million, forcing the organization to cover additional costs. In her letter, Saunderson described ministry “micro-management” and changing requirements, leading to significant stress for her team. Consequently, several long-term staff members quit, and now she and her team of five have also stepped down.
Saunderson warned that KNZB, an iconic part of New Zealand culture, could collapse within weeks without government help. She criticized both the former and current governments for failing to provide adequate support.
The Herald reached out to KNZB’s board chair and the office of Environment Minister Penny Simmonds for comments. An MfE spokesperson said they received Saunderson’s letter last month and have been having constructive talks with the KNZB board.
Former Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage noted that from 2017 to 2020, MfE ramped up its waste policies, which changed funding priorities. She hoped KNZB could continue its work on public awareness and litter prevention initiatives.
Re-reported from the article originally published in THE NEWZEALAND HERALD.
