Slash for Cash - Tairāwhiti

01 Jan 2026

Following Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, woody debris was washed onto beaches, waterways, and farmland across Tairāwhiti and Wairoa, causing severe environmental damage and posing ongoing risks to communities. In response, ECCT granted $100,000 to support Slash for Cash, an innovative social enterprise project led by Thabiso Blak Mashaba, an international Edmund Hillary Fellow, under the umbrella of the Tolaga Bay Inn Charitable Trust. 

The initiative transforms woody debris waste into smokeless charcoal briquettes and organic biochar fertilizer, using a low-emission carbonization process. These products provide sustainable alternatives for cooking and heating, while biochar improves soil health and acts as a long-term carbon sink—capturing up to 50% of carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

Beyond environmental benefits, Slash for Cash is creating real social impact. The project has trained 42 local people through in Ruatoria, Ūawa, and Wairoa, equipping them with skills to produce biochar and briquettes at scale. This community-led approach not only addresses waste and erosion but also generates employment opportunities and supports local initiatives. To date, this initiative has won a number of accolades, most recently the winner of the Sustainable Business Network - Transformational Leadership Award 2025.  Quoting the judges "“ ....Slash for Cash has turned a regional crisis into an inspiring example of community-led innovation. By converting forestry waste into useful products like biochar and bricks, they’re creating jobs, protecting waterways and building local resilience. Their response blends ingenuity with manaakitanga. ... It’s a kaupapa Māori, place-based leadership model.”