Latest news with #Fraher
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."
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.'
