Waste Wood Wanted
Waste wood wanted to help Kaikoura youth turn earthquake damaged houses into skate and surfboards
Does it sound crazy to turn a house into a skateboard? Well that is exactly what Kaikoura District Council Waste
Minimisation Case Manager Natalie Absalom wants you to do. Absalom is calling for donations of timber from anyone doing
earthquake deconstructions or repairs as part of a unique idea to help inspire and empower Kaikouras’ youth whilst
reducing waste.
Working with partners including a local surfboard builder Aaron Surgenor, as well a Goose boards, Billabong, RipCurl,
and EmpireSkate as well as the Mātauranga Men’s Shed and local schools. Absalom is developing a programme that will see
local youth turn donated timber into skateboards and surfboards over Kaikoura anniversary week.
“Right now we’re asking for donations of wood. Cedar would be ideal. It’s often found in door trims, tongue and groove
flooring, sarking and framing. The longer the better but anything will be considered. Other woods such as pine, rimu and
oak would also be good. There’s full details on our website for people to check if they’d like to donate – or they can
just give me a call on 027 576 179.”
Absalom’s work getting people to reduce the waste their earthquake repairs or demolitions led to the idea of running
workshops for youth to build their own skateboard or surfboard. “I was doing some research into waste-reduction
initiatives and came across all these beautiful, practical and artistic uses of bits of demolished buildings,’ she said,
“then I thought, if they can do it, so can we.”
“I’m here to get people to think about earthquake damaged houses differently, and this project will do just that. It’s
about taking something damaged and destined for the rubbish dump and giving it a second life.”
The project is part of the Waste Minimisation Programme. Kaikoura District council is working with Environment
Canterbury and WorkSafe to provide people with earthquake damaged houses whose insurance funding has been exhausted
funding to identify asbestos, remove hazardous substances and provide advice and support to lower demolition costs.
“People need to think deconstruction not demolition” says Natalie.
Wood types What does it look like? Where can it be found?
Cedar Redish, light grain, some knots Door frames, Some solid doors
Pine Light colour, visible grain, lots of knots Sarking, some flooring, framing
Rimu Darker than pine, large grain pattern few knots Tongue and groove flooring
Oak Clear tight grain pattern Old furniture (desks table etc)
ENDS