Floating a raft of recycling ideas

KELLY HODEL/The Waikato Times

BEST-RAFT WINNERS: The occupants of 'Pete Chi the Great', which was made out of old car parts, paddle towards shore. On board, from left, Josiah O'Connell, Atakura Murray and Matthew Meek.

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They were wild, colourful and creative – and they even managed to float.

Twenty teams took to the water on rafts made from recycled items at Raglan on Saturday as the town hosted its annual Recycled Raft Race.

With the only conditions being showing some Kiwi ingenuity and building something able to withstand the powerful current, Waitetuna School had 17 of its senior students enter a raft.

Principal Matt Stockton said the students, all aged either 8 or 9, made their "Rainbow Rocket" out of old plastic drums, timber and other unused items found around the farm. "The idea was to try and get through the water a litter bit easier than last year. It's all about being bright and colourful and making the most of being a kid."

The event was now a firm fixture on its annual calendar.

Organiser and Xtreme Waste education officer Lindsey Turner was floored at the turnout which coincided with the 10-year anniversary of the recycling centre. "The most we've ever had before was 19 and that was many, many years ago."

Mrs Turner said the $400 cash prize would have helped bump up entry numbers.

Josiah O'Connell, Atakura Murray and Matthew Meek won best raft with an entry made out of an old car bonnet while Sean Oliver was first to finish. To mark the town's community and environment day Cornerstone Roots performed in the town hall.

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