Media Statement

Much Achieved Since Devastating Clendon Fires

Friends of the Waterfont Chairperson, Shiri Te Whatu, says much has been achieved in the last year, with last summer seeing a spate of devastating fires along the Clendon foreshore, caused by arsonists.

"A year ago today, we saw a large fire devastate several acres of our waterfront parklands along the clendon foreshore. It was only one of a number. This summer we have seen no major fires." Says Friends of the Waterfront Chair Shiri Te Whatu.

"We are really proud of the way the Clendon community has come together to tackle this issue. Working with the Police, a public meeting was held where the community responded by setting up a friends group to respond to issues faced along our foreshore.

"Alongside encouraging residents to be more responsive and report issues or suspicious behaviour, we have been instrumental in being proactive in cleaning up rubbish along the waterfront and replanting burnt patches.

"Between April and June we held several rubbish clean ups, clearing over 3 tonnes of rubbish and recycling. In September with the support of the Manurewa Local Board we helped replant areas which had been burnt in February and March of last year.

"We are really thankful for all the support we have received. Organisations such as the Latter Day Saints and Salvation Army came along with armies of volunteers while organisations such as the Clendon Residents Group and the Clendon Neighbourhood Policing Team
and particularly Barbara Carney with the Manukau Beautification Trust who
have ensured we have had the resources to achieve what we have.

"At the end of the day, this is about loving the place you live, and the community has been passionate about ensuring we protect the beautiful foreshore and parklands that we are blessed to have along the coast here in Clendon.

"We are also thankful for the strong support of the Manurewa Local Board, including the proactive support of Angela Dalton and Simeon Brown.

"This year we have plans to continue our work, with more rubbish clean up's planned as part of the Keep New Zealand Beautiful initiative, and we hope to be involved in supporting the Manurewa Local Board's efforts to begin the process of mangrove removal from the Puhinui Estuary." Says Shiri Te Whatu.

Acknowledgements.

There are a number of organisations we would like to acknowledge.

- Manurewa Local Board
- Clendon Residents Group.
- Clendon Neighbourhood Policing Tea,
- Auckland Council Parks Dept and Events Dept.
- Manukau Beautification Trust.
- Salvation Army.
- Latter Day Saints.
- Keep New Zealand Beautiful.
- The Conservation Volunteers who were also invited attendees.

ENDS

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