The day started bright and early with a beautiful sunrise and the good vibes continued throughout our Ōtautahi Coastline Clean-Up 2022.

We had two stations at the south-eastern end of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary/ Te Ihutai: one at Windsurfer’s Reserve and the other at Settler’s Reserve. Enthusiastic volunteers participated in a Litter Intelligence survey and audit at each site in addition to a wider clean-up.

It was great to see a range of community members giving up a Saturday morning to care for nature and attendees included: Avonside Girls High School, students from Waitakiri Primary School doing a “Real Challenges” badge, Stantec Engineering, Hon Eugenie Sage (Green Party), families and friends.

Altogether we collected 120kg of rubbish, around 375 litres. The award for the most surprising item found went to not one but two flat-screen TVs. Some awesome mahi! The spoonbills, oystercatchers and white-faced herons who call the estuary home were probably relieved to see it all go.

Sustainable Coastlines was also super grateful to have the presence and support of our collaborators NZ Seaweek and Blue Cradle plus to our sponsors Phoenix drinks for providing some welcomed refreshments.