Locals keen to give unsightly graffiti the brush off

TAG FREE: Keep Rotorua Beautiful committee member Sally Ah Chan spent several hours painting out graffiti at the Manuka Cres Reserve. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 071113BF4

Rotorua locals joined forces yesterday to paint out graffiti in the Manuka Cres Reserve.

The painting out coincided with the first Keep New Zealand Beautiful Graffiti Free Week.

Keep Rotorua Beautiful co-ordinator Rose Hiha-Agnew said the week was a time for individuals, businesses, schools and groups to get out into their communities to remove graffiti from their patches. "This is a great community enhancement event and hopefully will be rolled out as an annual event."

Mrs Hiha-Agnew was on site at the reserve with Rotorua District Council graffiti removal technician Nigel Cassidy. With help from volunteers they had covered a wall and boundary fence with a coat of grey paint.

She said the Manuka Cres Reserve was part of Mr Cassidy's rounds and he regularly visited it and other areas.

"Unfortunately graffiti is on the rise. He paints out graffiti on alleyways and bus shelters and addresses residents' calls about areas that have been tagged."

Mrs Hiha-Agnew said she hoped local kids would design a concept and with community sign-off, paint their ideas as a mural on the wall.

For details on Graffiti Free Week and a full list of events visit www.knzb.org.nz or contact Rose on (07) 351 8253.