Kaye keen on island clean up

Photo: GILL ALCOCK

KEEP WAIHEKE CLEAN: island sets national example.

Waiheke is set to host the launch of the national Keep New Zealand Beautiful campaign and Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye is keen to see the results.

The island has been chosen with Taupo and the West Coast of the South Island as iconic tourist destinations.

Its Keep Waiheke Beautiful campaign will run alongside the New World KNZB Cleanup week, from September 4 to 11.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful chief executive Simon Johnston says about 50 dignitaries and media are expected for the launch, which will be held at Piritahi Marae and will feature a powhiri and blessing.

Media attending will include television, print and radio, offering the island extensive national coverage.

“Launching on Waiheke will hopefully provide a real focus for the event,” says Mr Johnston. “People recognise Waiheke as a community and to get behind this as one whole community will hopefully encourage other communities around New Zealand to follow suit.”

Miss Kaye worked with Mr Johnston to bring the campaign to the island and says she is “delighted” local residents, the community board and organiser Jenness Reeve have taken, “such a strong lead on this.”

“All of Waiheke’s coastline and stunning beaches, including Little Oneroa, Sandy Bay and Palm Beach, will receive the royal treatment during the week-long campaign,” says Miss Kaye. “I want to encourage everyone on Waiheke to get involved and help keep their community beautiful.”

The island’s focus will be on coastal care and beach clean up with eleven groups already registered to help. The first business to sign up – Lite-House – is committed to cleaning Surfdale beach daily during the campaign, Bayleys Real Estate and the Mad Butcher and Al Reeve kayak clubs have also signed up to help out.

Community groups, businesses, and individuals, are being asked to join in and “adopt” a beach to clean during the week long campaign. Mrs Reeve says the clean-up could take as little as 30 minutes, depending on the beach chosen.

Rubbish bags for the clean-up will be provided free of charge with the filled bags collected from the beaches.

“Just about every part of our community is involved in this campaign, schools, groups and individuals, says Mrs Reeve.

“Plus there are lots of events planned for the week including the making of a short educational film for visitors which will be screened at the Waiheke Cinema during the summer,” says Mrs Reeve.

For further information and announcements see www.knzbcleanupweek.co.nz or call Mrs Reeve on 372 4459 or email amreeve@xtra.co.nz.

- Waiheke Marketplace