Rubbish Barge - Bay of Islands
When and where to find the rubbish barge
The mobile rubbish barge will begin operations on the following days:
| Monday | Friday |
| 29 December 2025 | 02 January 2026 |
| 05 January 2026 | 09 January 2026 |
| 12 January 2026 | 16 January 2026 |
| 19 January 2026 | 23 January 2026 |
| 26 January 2026 | 30 January 2026 |
- Visit Urupukapuka Island campgrounds:
9am - 10am (appropriate footwear required) - Moored near south-eastern end of Moturua Island:
10:30am - 1pm
Times are approximate and may vary according to the weather/capacity of the barge. Hours will reduce towards end of January as demand drops-off or as capacity of the barge reduces.
Please do not approach the barge while it's underway.
Location of the rubbish barge in the Bay of Islands.
- Rubbish: $10 per bag. Charge applies to both prepaid and plain bags.
- Recyclables: $3 - $5 depending on the quantity.
- Oversized bags and dirty recycling will result in extra charges.
Located at the end of Russell Wharf.
Open 8am - 11am and 2pm - 5pm daily from Friday 26 December 2025 to Sunday 11 January 2026.
- Rubbish: $8 per bag.
- Recyclables: Free of charge.
See the pop-up recycling & refuse facility information at: www.russellwharf.org.nz
Ōpua site (by the fuel jetty, Far North Holdings car park):
Friday 26 December 2025 – Thursday 29 January 2026, 8am - 5pm
Rāwhiti (Kaingahoa Campground, Kaingahoa Bay, Rāwhiti Road):
Holiday hours: Open daily from Saturday 20 December 2025 to Saturday 28 February 2026, 8am – 4pm.
From 1 March 2026 to 19 December 2026, the site is open daily, 9am – midday.
Both sites are closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
For more information about rubbish and recycling stations in the Far north, visit: www.fndc.govt.nz