Latest news with #Abilities
1News
16-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
New site found for Auckland recycling plant destroyed by fire
The recycling centre that burnt down on Auckland's North Shore last month has found a new site to accommodate staff. The Abilities Recycling plant caught fire, burning to the ground and destroying critical equipment. The organisation employs almost 120 employees with disabilities. A smaller site has been found in Wairau Valley, which would continue the organisation's recycling work. It intends setting up another Wairau Valley site for E-waste and will be announcing drop-off details shortly. Abilities managing director Peter Fraher said it was likely to take two years before they were fully operational once again. "To replicate what Abilities had before, which was a totally integrated site, is, in the short term, almost impossible," he said. "So we're looking at taking it step by step, our first priority is to look after our staff with disabilities." Fraher said they had not defined just how many staff would be able to work at the new site, but they were looking at rostering. "We hope that a good percentage of our people with disabilities can be accommodated at this location, which is still in the Wairau Valley and close to their normal commute." The support the organisation has had from the community since the fire has been overwhelming and uplifting, Fraher said. "When I get out of bed in the morning, and I think 'we've got a big road ahead', I just think of all the support we've had and it just uplifts me, and it uplifts all our team," he said. "It's just been amazing, the New Zealand community, it's alive and well, and we want to thank everybody, just from my heart, from the support we've had, it's just unbelievable." Fire and Emergency crews continued to extinguish hot spots at the site on Hillside Rd in Wairau Valley. (Source: 1News) Fraher said there was still more work to do. "Our current planning is that it's a two year project, and we have that ultimate goal, but like any journey it's a step at a time, and we're working very hard to do it as soon as possible but we also have to be practical," he said. "To accommodate 120 people with disabilities, and hopefully more, it's a big task and it's got to be done safely, so it's not going to happen overnight."
Otago Daily Times
25-04-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Recycling plant fire leaves worker shaken
A large fire engulfed the Abilities Group recycling plant in Glenfield, on Auckland's North Shore. Photo: RNZ A worker at an Auckland recycling plant that burnt down on the city's North Shore is sad and shaken by what has happened. The Abilities Group plant in Glenfield caught fire on Thursday evening, burning to the ground. The organisation provided employment and support to more than 100 disabled people. Bridie Sarah Daly was at home when she saw news of the fire and was feeling sad and shaken. "My sister ... she sent the photo of Abilities to me ... and I had a look at it and I was like 'oh my gosh, I know where that is, that's Abilities." Daly said she hoped her co-workers would stay strong as they wait to see what happens next. "It feels like I've got no work, where to go really, which is quite sad and quite hard. "I hope my friends out there from Abilities, be strong to find out what's happened to their work. "Kia kaha means be strong, and just move on [with] what you have to do, that's how I'm feeling as well, so I'm trying not to get myself too stressed." Abilities Group launched a Givealittle page, asking members of the public to donate to support staff, replace essential equipment and find a new temporary facility. Managing director Peter Fraher described the loss as a huge blow. "Abilities is more than a workplace - it's a supportive environment where disabled people find purpose, opportunity and community," he said in a statement. "We've had an incredible outpouring of kindness from the community already, and we're so grateful. "Now we're asking anyone who's ever believed in our mission - or simply wants to help us support our team as we rebuild - to support our fundraiser."
RNZ News
25-04-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Abilities' North Shore recycling plant fire leaves worker shaken
A large fire engulfed the Abilities Group recycling plant in Glenfield, on Auckland's North Shore. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi A worker at an Auckland recycling plant that burnt down on the city's North Shore is sad and shaken by what has happened. The Abilities Group plant in Glenfield caught fire on Thursday evening, burning to the ground. The organisation provided employment and support to over 100 disabled people. Bridie Sarah Daly said she was at home when she saw news of the fire. She said she was feeling sad and shaken after what happened. "My sister ... she sent the photo of Abilities to me ... and I had a look at it and I was like 'oh my gosh, I know where that is, that's Abilities." Daly said she hoped her coworkers would stay strong as they wait to see what happens next. "It feels like I've got no work, where to go really, which is quite sad and quite hard," she said. "I hope my friends out there from Abilities, be strong to find out what's happened to their work. "Kia kaha means be strong, and just move on [with] what you have to do, that's how I'm feeling as well, so I'm trying not to get myself too stressed." Abilities Group launched a Givealittle page , asking members of the public to donate to support staff, replace essential equipment and find a new temporary facility. Managing director Peter Fraher described the loss as a huge blow. "Abilities is more than a workplace - it's a supportive environment where disabled people find purpose, opportunity and community," he said in a statement. "We've had an incredible outpouring of kindness from the community already, and we're so grateful. "Now we're asking anyone who's ever believed in our mission - or simply wants to help us support our team as we rebuild - to support our fundraiser." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
25-04-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
North Shore Abilities Group recycling plant seeks community support after huge fire
About 90 firefighters from across Auckland and from Hamilton responded to the fire, which was contained on Thursday evening. The Abilities Group said a fire investigator had been at the site on Friday, and the building was being dismantled. The blaze destroyed critical equipment, it said. Managing director Peter Fraher was calling on the public to support recovery efforts. 'Abilities is more than a workplace – it's a supportive environment where disabled people find purpose, opportunity, and community,' he said. 'Losing that is a huge blow.' Fraher said the organisation provided employment and support to more than 100 disabled people, and was launching an urgent drive to raise funds. Donations would go towards supporting those staff affected by the fire, finding a temporary site, and replacing what was destroyed in the blaze. A Givealittle page has been set up for those wishing to donate. Fraher said the support from the community had been overwhelming, and he thanked emergency responders for their work controlling the fire. 'We've had an incredible outpouring of kindness from the community already, and we're so grateful. 'Now we're asking anyone who's ever believed in our mission – or simply wants to help us support our team as we rebuild – to support our fundraiser.'
