Gisborne residents report ongoing odours from local composting facility

Rural residents near a Gisborne composting facility have made 90 recorded complaints to the Gisborne District Council between July 2024 and May 2025. Residents of MacDonalds Rd, Kemp Rd and Willows Rd describe a faecal and rotten-carcass smell that occasionally reaches the suburb of Makaraka, approximately 3km away. They allege the odour breaches resource consent conditions which prohibit offensive smells beyond the site boundary.

Tanya Hohepa, who owns a neighbouring 6ha orchard, described the smell as “soul-destroying”. She stated that the odour has worsened since a new resource consent was granted in 2023, reaching a point where some workers refuse to work at the orchard. Hohepa also noted that council staff can take up to 20 minutes to arrive at the site after a complaint is lodged, which may result in changing wind conditions.

An unnamed neighbour reported that the smell is inescapable and makes it difficult to live, noting it is worst during easterly winds and on Tuesdays when biosolids are delivered. Judds has responded that it has addressed odour through infrastructure changes, including a new receiving shelter completed in May. The company stated that since commissioning its enclosed composting system, no performance issues have been identified with its aeration and biofiltration.

Judds noted that since the construction of the new shelter, only one complaint was received after a truck driver left a door open for 20 minutes. The company maintains it is committed to complying with its obligations and its staff will take action if odour is caused by the site.

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and 1News.