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Regional | Auckland Council

Puhinui River used as an inorganic dumping ground

More than 1,900 volunteers spread themselves across a 12km boundary today as they chipped in to clean South Auckland’s Puhinui River from Otara to the Manukau Harbour. The sad side of this event revealed that many Aucklanders are using the river as an inorganic dumping ground.

Early this morning volunteers and were transported to areas along the Puhinui River.

Manukau Beautification Trust Operation Manager Lincoln Jefferson told Te Kāea, “We easily got 5 tonnes of rubbish, 300 tyres, 200 shopping trollies, lots of house hold item, the list just goes on. And I can fairly say that’s only the tip of the ice berg.”

This event has been labelled the #NZlargestcleanup and the Manukau Beautification Trust has the support of many local business and community groups which include Ngāti Whātua’s Para Kore Program.

“This is definitely a project the Para Kore team will continue to support. It was also great to see our youth from Te Wharekura o Manurewa along with the Manurewa Community helping out,” says Lionel Hotene from Ngāti Whātua’s Para Kore team.

In an effort to minimise waste in to Puhinui River, locals are being encouraged to properly dispose their house hold rubbish.

Jefferson says, “We really want to create awareness around this issue and hopefully we’ve achieved that today.”

With the recent changes to the way Auckland Council operates their inorganic collection, most residence are unaware they’re able to book an inorganic collection from their own property at no cost. Visit the Auckland Council website for more information.