- Beach Clean Up, Waitangi Regional Park, Sat 3 March

- Children’s Sandcastle Competition, Waimarama Beach, Sun 4 March

SeaWeek events organised by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council offer a chance for the community to get together on the coast, help improve the environment and have some creative fun. Information and sign-ups are on Facebook:HBRegionalCouncil.

The annual Seaweek Beach Clean-up is usually very popular and will again be at Waitangi Regional Park (Star Compass entry on SH2) on Saturday 3 March. The event commences at 9 amand finishes with a BBQ for volunteers.

“Just giving a helping hand for a couple of hours diverts waste away from the ocean, and last year over 580 kilograms was picked up in two hours by over 160 volunteers,” says Sally Chandler, Community Engagement Coordinator.

There are many reasons why rubbish and litter end up on Hawke’s Bay beaches - it may have washed up, been left behind by visitors to the beach, been washed down rivers through the stormwater system or illegally dumped.

“We hope to see the downward trend in this area continue, as last year’s rubbish collection was down by almost 100kgs on the previous year. The enhancement of this area, to include the Star Compass and wetlands, is having a beneficial effect, especially on the level of illegal dumping.”

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s second event for Seaweek is the fun Sandcastle Competition for children, with the aim to raise awareness of pollution in the ocean and how it can affect sea life. This event will be on Sunday 4 March between 11 am and 2 pm at Waimarama Beach beside the Surf Life Saving Club. There will be prize packs for winning entries in three age categories as well as spot prizes.

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