Media release

10 January 2014

Rubbish free trial hits Okahu Bay this summer

Auckland Council and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei are trialling a rubbish-free initiative at Okahu Bay this summer.

The trial sees the removal of 14 rubbish bins from the park starting from 11 January 2014

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Kaiwhakahaere Matua (Senior Manager) Malcolm Paterson says this trial is underpinned by moves toward sustainability and greater respect for the land.

“This area has great cultural significance for Ngāti Whātua. We would like to encourage people to enjoy their visits here and show respect for the land and their environment by taking their rubbish home with them and recycling it,” he says.

Central local and sports parks manager Jane Aickin says council supports the initiative and has made changes to its maintenance regime to enable the trial.

“Rubbish bins have been removed and our litter contractors will be keeping a close eye on people’s response. 

“Recycling bins on parks are costly and people often don’t sort their rubbish properly at the park. 
“We are encouraging people to ‘pack in and pack out’, taking their rubbish home where it is easy to sort for recycling,” says Ms Aickin.

Banners reading, ‘Rubbish free park, please take your litter with you. Tēnā tangohia atu āu ake parahanga.’ will be placed in the park and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei kaitiaki ambassadors will be talking to visitors about the new initiative.

Rubbish-free initiatives were successfully introduced by previous councils on regional parks and at some local neighbourhood parks in west Auckland.

ENDS

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