Tyrewise has announced its first group of funding recipients, with more than $1.2 million allocated to nine projects aimed at developing new uses for end-of-life tyres
The funding is being distributed through the Puna Taurima, the Tyrewise fund, aiming to support the development of long-term, onshore solutions for processing and using waste tyres and is financed through a tyre stewardship fee applied to tyres sold in New Zealand.
Five of the nine funded projects focus on the use of recycled tyre rubber in road construction. Dominic Salmon, Fund Advisor for Puna Taurima, said overseas data has demonstrated performance and resilience benefits from using tyre-derived rubber in chip seal and asphalt binding, although such applications have not yet been widely adopted in New Zealand.
“Using tyre-derived materials in future Kiwi roading projects could funnel between 16,000 and 18,000 tonnes of old rubber tyres into New Zealand roading annually – establishing a high-value and circular system for repurposing tyres,” Salmon said.
Other funded projects are investigating permeable paving and kerb systems incorporating tyre-derived materials, as well as the potential use of micronised tyre particles in construction.
The funding also includes community projects that aim to upgrade school playgrounds in Marton and Bulls, and at Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa, using repurposed tyre materials for playground surfaces.
Tyrewise said the funded projects aim to increase New Zealand’s capacity to process, test and manufacture products using recovered tyre materials domestically, expecting this development to support activity in engineering, construction and materials science while reducing reliance on overseas markets for end-of-life tyre management.
Further approved grants should be distributed throughout the remainder of 2026, with Tyrewise expecting total funding allocated through the programme to exceed $2.3 million.
