Hutt City Council Launches Awa, a New AI Agent for Rubbish and Recycling Support

Hutt City Council in New Zealand has launched Awa, a new Airgentic powered AI agent designed to help residents get quick and accurate answers to common rubbish and recycling questions. Available at all hours, Awa gives the community a simple way to find clear information without waiting in a queue or searching through multiple pages.

Awa is now live on the council’s Too Good to Waste website. Residents can access it through the chat icon in the bottom left corner of the page. The assistant provides instant guidance on everyday enquiries, shifting routine questions online while allowing council teams to focus on work that requires deeper expertise or personal service.

This rollout reflects smart service design in action. It blends accessibility, clarity and efficiency in a way that benefits both residents and staff. It also highlights the leadership shown by Hutt City Council in digital transformation and the practical use of AI to improve public services. Their willingness to lead with a customer first mindset makes this partnership especially meaningful.

We are grateful for the collaboration and the pace at which this project came together. A sincere thank you to Neil Cole, Steve Beckett, Nicole Noldus, Nick Julian, Frances van Vuuren and Jo Miller whose support and focus ensured Awa could be delivered quickly and confidently. Ngā mihi nui.

We look forward to seeing the positive impact Awa will have for the Hutt City community as it provides faster, more accessible information to residents every day.