Sustainable Coastlines, which is supported by Auckland Council, needs your help in raising awareness about the condition of the Manukau - with a desire to return the harbour to a pristine state.
The Love your Coast Manukau Harbour Clean-up and Education Tour is on from 15 February to 18 March 2016. It aims to work with local communities and schools to celebrate and give back to the taonga (treasure) that is the Manukau Harbour.
The Harbour is one of Auckland’s cultural and ecological treasures; sadly the environmental quality of the harbour has degraded.
Community beach clean-up
On Saturday March 5 volunteers are encouraged to join the fun at Sustainable Coastlines’ community beach clean-up day by coming along from 11am to 3pm to event stations around the harbour, located at Cornwallis, Waikowhai Park, Onehunga, Mangere Bridge, Weymouth and Clarks Beach.
General Manager of Sustainable Coastlines, Camden Howitt, says that, with 386 kilometres of coastline, attempting to clean up the entire coast of the Manukau is a massive task. It’s New Zealand’s second largest natural harbour.
“This year is the first time that Sustainable Coastines has focused a full month on giving love back to this beautiful and important harbour,” he says.
“A lot of passionate people and groups are already out there working hard for the harbour. This is a great opportunity to work together to look after this place we love.”
Chair of the council’s Parks, Sport and Recreation Committee, Councillor Christine Fletcher, says we all have a responsibility to protect and respect the harbour.
“The month long clean-up is an important project for the long-term welfare not only of the Manukau Harbour, but of Auckland and New Zealand. I urge you all to get involved,” she said.
Sustainable Coastlines is working closely with the council’s Parks, Sport and Recreation department on planning clean-up activities around the Manukau Harbour.
The council’s Manukau Harbour Forum has also provided support for Sustainable Coastlines’ clean-up and educational activities alongside Seaweek, the nationwide celebration of our seas.
Sustainable Coastlines would also like to thank all of the wonderful volunteers who have put their hands up to man the Saturday 5 March clean-up stations. It also extends thanks to Samsung, Singapore Airlines, Benefitz, Westpac, AUT, Aurecon, Phoenix Organics, Kwik N Ezy and Mr Binz for their support with funding and logistics.
For more information and to volunteer, go to the Sustainable Coastlines website.
Photo thanks to Kurt McManus Photography
