Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 March will see Aucklanders flocking to help keep New Zealand clean at the Aotea/Great Barrier Island Coastal Clean-up.
Every year millions of Aucklanders and overseas visitors enjoy the fantastic shorelines of the Waitemata Harbour.
Proudly supported by the Waitemata Harbour Clean-Up Trust the massive community-led coastal clean-up event is led by Sustainable Coastlines.
Hayden Smith from the Waitemata Harbour Clean-up Trust estimates that around 85-90% of the rubbish found on the beaches of Aotea/Great Barrier Island comes directly from the stormwater drains and rivers of Auckland City.
Last year over 2.8 tonnes of rubbish was collected from the West Coast of Aotea/Great Barrier Island by volunteers working with Sustainable Coastlines.
“Boats contribute to this problem; especially through fishing rubbish and plastic debris escaping from vessels. So there’s plenty of rubbish to pick up,” says Mr Smith.
The Waitemata Harbour Clean-Up Trust, set up in 2002, oversees the removal of litter from Auckland's Waitemata Harbour and inner gulf islands, promotes the concept of clean, clear rubbish-free waterways.
Ports of Auckland has nominated the Waitemata Harbour Clean-up Trust as one of the charities to benefit from the proceeds raised by the iconic Auckland event, Ports of Auckland Round the Bays.
More than 60,000 participants will be running the inaugural Ports of Auckland Round the Bays on Sunday 14 March at 9.30am.
The fun-run does a great job of showcasing Auckland’s beautiful harbour and waterfront says Ports of Auckland Managing Director Jens Madsen.
“Ports of Auckland’s commitment to responsible environmental management was behind the decision to support the ongoing work of the Trust,” Mr Madsen said.
“In 2002 Ports of Auckland provided a 6.5 metre boat, the Phil Warren, for litter retrieval and removal.”
The Trust will coordinate with The Great New Zealand Spring Clean – a Clean Up NZ Week initiative, in September.
For information about how to volunteer for the Aotea/Great Barrier Island Coastal Clean-up see www.sustainablecoastlines.org.
To enter Ports of Auckland Round the Bays see www.roundthebays.co.nz.
Ronald McDonald House and Fairfax First Books are charities also benefiting from proceeds raised at Ports of Auckland Round the Bays.
For further information contact:
Catherine Etheredge
Senior Manager – Communications
P: 09 309 1255
M: 027 477 7501
E: etheredgec@poal.co.nz
Anne-Marie Petersen
Communications Advisor
P: 09 309 1393
M: 021 981 747
E: petersena@poal.co.nz