On Wednesday 30 May students from James Cook High School and Auckland University’s English Language Academy combined forces to remove a huge haul of rubbish from the rocky shores of Rangitoto Island.

In the much-appreciated winter sun, almost 50 clean-up volunteers hit the coastlines east of Rangitoto Wharf and picked up over 1,000 litres of rubbish. An impressive effort from the students on Rangitoto’s challenging terrain. In the afternoon the students were rewarded for their work with a walk to the summit of this unique volcanic island and a visit from a pod of dolphins as we waited for the ferry home.

This type of hands-on action proves to be an excellent, practical, fun way for students (and their teachers) to learn about how the constant stream of litter from Auckland’s streets flows out through storm drains and affects the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Just last December these same shores were cleaned-up by over 1,200 volunteers in our Love your Coast Rangitoto Island Clean-up, removing over two tonnes of rubbish. Already these same stretches of coastline are being covered in litter from Auckland’s streets – an unfortunately perfect illustration of the problem that the students got to see for themselves.

A huge thank you to all students and teachers for the fantastic effort you put in. A big thanks also to Hayden Smith and Ben Harris from Watercare Harbour Clean-up Trust for lending a helping hand on the day, your support is always much appreciated.

If you’d like to take part in an event like this, contact us today.