50 people, the most so far, turned up at the last Love Whangārei Monthly Clean Up while 200 are expected at this month's event. Photo/Supplied
Rubbish bags and gloves are being organised across the region as Northlanders prepare to take part in Keep New Zealand Beautiful's Clean Up Week.
The national clean-up week starts today and runs until Sunday, September 16.
As part of the week, the Love Whangārei Monthly Clean Up has been organised for September 15 at Fishbone Park in Ōtangarei.
The clean-ups are run by F.O.R.C.E and organiser Karen Lee said about 200 people are expected at the clean-up and planting day.
The clean-up starts at 9am and runs for an hour before the planting starts. She said the area doesn't look too had but you can always be surprised.
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"In the past the community has pulled an entire car out of the stream."
Lee expects the clean-up will mainly find windblown rubbish and items thrown out of cars such as bottles and fast food wrappers.
She said the planting of more than 650 trees is part of the Matariki Tu Rākau commemorative community tree planting programme.
"We wanted to do something a little more lasting."
She hoped it would give the area some importance and the community would help maintain it.
The Matariki Tu Rākau programme encourages communities to plant trees in recognition of the service of the men and women of the New Zealand Defence Force. Lee said the Whangārei RSA was supporting the event, and would be attending on the day.
The plants include kahikatea, manuka and cabbage trees, flaxes and grasses. The event will also have a free barbecue, music and giveaways.
F.O.R.C.E is run by Lee and partner Nicholas Connop, aka the Whangārei Rubbish Wrangler. The pair have been organising monthly clean-ups for more than eight months.
This year the group have removed about three tonnes of rubbish from the Whangārei environment. Numbers of volunteers have steadily grown at the clean-ups, reaching 50 at the last one at Waiarohia Park.
Anyone is welcome to join them next Saturday - for more information check their Facebook page.
If you are interested in getting involved, a number of Northland events have been registered with Keep New Zealand Beautiful. They are:
-Love Whangārei - Ōtangarei Clean Up and Planting, September 15 at 9am at Fishbone Park. Contact Nicholas Connop: Nconnop@hotmail.com
-All For Heart Kawakawa Clean Up, September 10 at 4.30pm at the train station. Contact Erika Kihau: erikakihau@yahoo.com
-Beststart Kamo Rec Clean Up, September 10, 2A Lillian St. Contact Kay Eady: kay.eady@best-start.org
-Clean up Kensington Park, September 18 at 11am at 1 Percy St. Contact Karwyn Werder: karwyn@sfx.school.nz
-Creative Community Clean Up, September 14 at 4pm at The Pavilion on Rust Ave. Contact Briar Fabian: briar@creativenorthland.com
-Fonterra Maungaturoto Community Litter Walk, September 14 at 12.30pm at Farm Source Maungaturoto carpark. Contact Steven Gale: steven.gale@fonterra.com
-GJ Gardner Whangārei/Kaipara Clean Up Event, September 14 at 3pm at Kioreroa Reserve and Onerahi Beach. Contact Georgia Green: georgia.green@gjgardner.co.nz
-Making Manaia Magnificent, September 12 at 11am at Manaia View School. Contact Delwyn Baird: delwynb@manaiaview.school.nz
-Ōtangarei Community Clean Up, September 15 at 10am at Central Park Ōtangarei. Contact Chris Goyen: delwynb@manaiaview.school.nz
-Town Basin Clean Up, September 15 at 10am at the Canopy Bridge. Contact Councillor Anna Murphy: cr.murphy@wdc.govt.nz
-Whakapai Ōtangarei, September 11 at 4pm at Ōtangarei Marae. Contact Makoare Hoterene: mak.hoterene@gmail.com
-Clean Up Week - The Loop, September 12 at 9.30am at Whangārei Adventist Christian School. Contact Ann Dickson: jockd@msn.com
-Raurimu Rubbish Raiders, September 11 at 9am at Raurimu Avenue School. Contact Debbie Nolan: debbie@raurimu.school.nz
-FNDC Staff Clean Up, September 10 at 12pm at Te Ahu. Contact Aya Morris: aya.morris@fndc.govt.nz
-Keep NZ Beautiful, September 13 at 3.30pm at the Railway Crossing on Manse St. Contact Annette Davies: adavies@akcansoc.org.nz
-Whangārei CBD Lunchtime Pickup, September 12 at 12pm at the Municipal Building. Contact Trish Clarke: info@volunteeringnorthland.nz
Tim Dodge thought he'd never walk again. Now he's back, and he's determined to help.