Auckland Council launches graffiti prevention plan

File Photo / NZ Herald

The Auckland Council launched a graffiti prevention plan today in an attempt to thwart vandalism.

The Auckland Graffiti Vandalism Prevention Plan was launched by Mayor Len Brown in Otara this morning and highlights tougher 24-hour removal targets for graffiti and just two hours targets for tags deemed offensive.

"I want Aucklanders to take pride in their neighbourhoods and their city.

"That means supporting communities by removing ugly graffiti vandalism as quickly as possibly and removing the incentive for taggers."

The launch took place at the Scorpions Rugby Club in Otara where local artist Joe Lane worked with members of the club and students from neighbouring Hillary College to paint a 'Scorpions wall of Legends' mural.

"If taggers want to paint a wall, there are plenty of initiatives happening around Auckland where we are painting fantastic community murals - like this one," said Mayor Brown.

The mural includes superstars of Otara and Kiwi Rugby League such as Manu Vatuvei, Reuben Wiki and Cynthia Ta'ala.

Mayor Brown said he doesn't want a grey city and community projects are the best way to bring colour and vibrancy to Auckland while curbing repeat offences in popular graffiti hot-spots.

As well as tougher eradication targets, the plan is focussing on graffiti prevention through its 'Adopt-a-spot' scheme.

Through the scheme, volunteers are encouraged to adopt an area "as big or as small as they wish" in their neighbourhood to keep graffiti free.

Auckland Council then supplies free paint, brushes and other equipment to the volunteers so that they can remove graffiti from their own, or others properties as they notice it.

"Bringing an end to graffiti vandalism in Auckland goes hand-in-hand with injecting a greater sense of pride in our community - let's do both," said Mayor Brown.

Volunteers should call the council on 09 301 0101.