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We aim to keep New Zealander's up to date on whats happening with their national environment. A big part of being aware of what's happening in your national envirnmen is about having international awareness of the bigger issues surrounding the planet.

Our national organisation, the Keep New Zealand Beautiful Society Inc. runs nation-wide programmes under the ‘Keep ... Beautiful’ name, for example ‘Keep Kaiapoi Beautiful’. These programmes have run for over 20 years and have strong community support with volunteers carrying out environmental improvements and educational focused activities throughout the year.

We aim to keep our News section up to date. If you can ontribute with information about what's happening please contact us.

7 June 2011
Rangiora’s Beauty Battalion Celebrating 21 years of Keep Rangiora Beautiful.. more
18 April 2011
*When: 16 April · 08:00 - 19:00*.. more
4 April 2011
*Time:  02 April at 08:00 - 04 April at 20:00*.. more
28 March 2011
That’s right, like our amazing mural in Tokoroa which over 1200 locals contributed their handprints to for the launch of Paint New Zealand Beautiful 2010. We’re doing it all again this Saturday, 19th of March at Big Save Furniture, Heretaunga St, Hastings from 9am to mark the start of Paint New Zealand Beautiful 2011!.. more
23 March 2011
This year in Honolulu, Hawaii the 5th International Marine Debris Conference is taking place for the first time in over 10 years and with the help from Coca Cola NZ, Keep New Zealand Beautiful is able to attend in representing the interests of Aotearoa and our contribution to this critical international issue to help find and implement solutions at a local level... more
23 March 2011
Over 400 people “Put their Hands Up” on Saturday, to help complete a mural on the wall of Big Save Furniture in Heretaunga Street Hastings.   The 30 metre long mural was sketched onto the wall as part of “Paint New Zealand Beautiful” week and then completed by people dipping their hands into paint and filling in the body of the design.   Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers says 457 people aged from five months to their 60’s turned out to put their hand prints on the wall, with many from overseas leaving an indelible mark on Hastings landscape.   Visitors from Vanuatu, Belfast, Dublin, England and Papua New Guinea all took part in the unique activity.   One young couple marked their engagement by placing their handprints on the mural at a spot they can always remember.   A number of people who have come to Hawke’s Bay from earthquake devastated Christchurch put their hands up, while comments from other members of the public included “a beautiful moment, what a way to remember my birthday and it’s a great community activity”.   The mural wasn’t completely finished in the time allowed on Saturday and children from day care centres, after school programmes and residents from retirement villages have been invited to help complete the painting this week.   The mural which depicts fruit trees, grape vines, Hawke’s Bay landscape and a hot air balloon, wasn’t large enough to take up all the space available on the Big Save Furniture wall and the rest will be painted with another mural later in the year.   Hastings District Councils mural painting programme “the Essence of Hastings” continues with the painting of traffic light control boxes around the city by school students and members of the community... more
21 March 2011
There will be no excuse for smokers to leave cigarette butts lying around after 40 bins are installed in Hastings, Havelock North and Flaxmere this month... more
28 February 2011
Unfortunately, due to the major February quake in Christchurch organisers of Ellerslie Flower Show have cancelled this year’s show.  Keep New Zealand Beautiful along with Local Programmes Keep Christchurch Beautiful and Keep Kaiapoi Beautiful were set to take part in the Zealandia Flower Bed competition, however will no longer be representing the organisation and will turn their efforts to assisting fellow Cantabrians in the ongoing relief effort... more
23 February 2011
To: Board, Staff and Participants at Keep New Zealand Beautiful.. more
9 December 2010
MEDIA RELEASE – 9/12/2010*.. more
16 November 2010
Electrolux has found a positive use for the millions of tonnes of plastic polluting the world's oceans - it plans to recycle it into vacuum cleaners... more
3 November 2010
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27 October 2010
MEDIA RELEASE - 17/09/2010.. more
20 October 2010
Volkswagen Tiguan helping to Keep New Zealand Beautiful!.. more
11 October 2010
The challenge is on to find New Zealand's most fuel efficient vehicle and Keep New Zealand Beautiful is getting on board to help. .. more
6 October 2010
The Tidy Kiwi's at James Hargest College in Invercargill took a slightly different approach others during the New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week by promoting a walk, bus and bike to school day. The awesome idea arose from Chris Kennedy, a student at James Hargest College. The idea of all students walking, biking or taking the bus to school would make a small, but exemplary reduction in Co2 emissions to our precious atmosphere. Students who made an effort received spot prizes, however, their Walk, Bike, Bus week was held during the terrible 11 day storm that hit Southland and its farmers during lambing recently. Like true-blue Kiwi troopers, our highly spirited Southlander's didn't let a few rain clouds throwing harsh hail stop them from playing their part in Keeping New Zealand Beautiful!.. more
5 October 2010
Mayor Len Brown has launched a new eco policy for the forthcoming Super City. To commemorate the launch of this new policy, Len Brown joined forces with Keep New Zealand Beautiful's Chair Iris Donoghue, and planted a fruit tree, as part of the Trees for Babies programme at Olympic Park in New Lynn... more
22 September 2010
MEDIA RELEASE 22/09/10.. more
22 September 2010
Media Release 22/09/2010.. more
22 September 2010
Media Release 22/09/2010.. more
20 September 2010
The key message for this year’s National Clean Up Week from Keep New Zealand Beautiful is “Don’t let rubbish represent us”.  So, for 2010 local group Keep Saddle Hill Community Board Area Beautiful will be taking to the community and surrounding environment in force to ensure we stay beautiful for years to come... more
19 September 2010
'Back to Basics' Conference 2010... more
17 September 2010
MEDIA RELEASE 17/09/10   EMBARGOED UNTIL 18/09/10   Today at Ngati Otara Park, Manukau from 10am - 12pm a huge group of passionate Aucklanders will to take part in the 2010 New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week, showing some good old-fashioned kiwi pride and passion for our amazing environment.  Ngati Otara Park is the biggest sports park in Otara, the hub of one of our most vibrant communities and the meeting point for a wide range of sports and recreational activities.  Ngati Otara also suffers from a huge accumulation of rubbish, and needs as much help as it can get in ridding this mass of debris which threatens the local ecology and it's beauty.  Items including old tyres even shopping trolleys are a visible testimony to how much we've let our attitude towards Keeping New Zealand Beautiful slip, and now is your chance to do something about it!   Last year over 240,000 people, young old rolled up their sleeves to help Keep New Zealand Beautiful and this year the emphasis is on increasing that number in spreading a message of involvement nationwide.  The key message for this year's National Clean Up Week is "Don't let rubbish represent us". Today's event is open to the public and Keep New Zealand Beautiful encourages everyone to come down, get involved and make a difference.   The New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week is all about giving our communities a bit of a spruce-up and showing it that we care for the environment we live in.  Keep New Zealand Beautiful National Programmes Manager, Mary Brown says "for way too long we've ridden the clean-green bandwagon, and some will say we can't truly claim that title anymore - if we don't do something about it now those days will be long gone for sure".   It's a hard message to deliver, but Brown says "it's about time we get realistic about the standards we're setting in our communities, for our visitors and for our environment if we want to enjoy our beautiful reputation for years to come.  If we take care of it, it will take care of us.  Pretty simple logic really".   In addition to the focus on litter collection for this year's New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week, Keep New Zealand Beautiful delivers a number of vibrant and exciting environmental education activities and community beautification projects across the country year round.   For more information on the New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week 2010 visit www.knzb.org.nz     ENDS   For more information contact: Mary Brown National Programmes Manager Keep New Zealand Beautiful 021 552 443.. more
17 September 2010
MEDIA RELEASE – 17/09/2010.. more
17 September 2010
MEDIA RELEASE – 17/09/2010.. more
17 September 2010
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16 September 2010
*HELP CLEAN UP **CHRISTCHURCH - FERRYMEAD*.. more
15 September 2010
Keep New Zealand Beautiful and Conservation Volunteers NZ invite you to take par in the 2010 New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week taking place in September. Last year over 200,000 people took part in over 400 events around the country - lets make this year even bigger and better!.. more
7 September 2010
Thirty thousand children from all over the world regularly participate in activities on the MiniMonos site. A New Zealand Website that makes it cool to recycle... more
2 September 2010
LOCAL TECHNOLOGY REDUCES PRESSURE ON NEW ZEALAND LANDFILLS.. more
24 August 2010
On Friday the 6th August the Vodafone Wellington Lions teamed up with Keep Porirua Beautiful, The Vodafone Wellington Lions supporters and fans turned up to lend a hand to Faifili Levave, John Schwalger, Alapati Leuia and Buxton Popoalii in a community planting session in Porirua. .. more
9 August 2010
Rektify is a Rotorua Youth Centre (RYC), graffiti art, anti-crime programme... more
1 August 2010
Each year the Keep Dunedin Beautiful Committee holds an award ceremony to recognise the groups and individuals who have completed beautification/environmental project during the previous year... more
21 July 2010
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14 July 2010
The Keep Dunedin Beautiful committee, has been busy coming up with a way to "Keep Dunedin Beautiful" They have reinstated the "Adopt-A-Spot" concept, this programme worked effectively for many years, and has now been brought back into the spotlight, to be better than ever. The Keep Dunedin Beautiful committee invites and encourages your group to take part. The method is simple, and involves choosing an area and keeping it clean and tidy on a regular basis, whether it be monthly, quarterly or every six months, whatever suits your group. .. more
1 July 2010
Keep New Zealand Beautiful is stoked that Dunedin City Council is extremely committed to managing graffiti vandalism, with a plan in action that aims to remove graffiti vandalism within a twenty four hour time period where possible. Keep Dunedin Beautiful has already commissioned a number of murals in locations that were repetitively attacked by graffiti vandalism, such as the mural located in the Cannongate-Elm Row area.  Keep Dunedin Beautiful hired three artists, DAT Crew, Sean Duffell, Aaron Manual and Nigel Roberts to paint a mural depicting Dunedin in someway. The mural was painted in 2007 with the theme “being a scarfie.”.. more
23 June 2010
At 3pm this afternoon at Council Chambers, Horowhenua District Mayor Brendan Duffy and Keep New Zealand Beautiful launch a new campaign designed to rid our footpaths, roads and waterways of cigarette butts.  In aiming to eliminate this significant litter item, members of Keep Levin Beautiful are asking their community to use the cigarette butt litter receptacles now installed in the townships central business district.     In a joint project, twenty new design cigarette butt litter receptacles will be installed to encourage the appropriate disposal of cigarette butts, something that is usually easier said than done for most smokers. A number of older design receptacles will be replaced also.   It is not just about receptacles but also about public education.  Members of Keep Levin Beautiful will take to the streets for the next week making smokers aware of the new vandal-proof receptacles, and encouraging them to ‘do the right thing.’   “Smokers often contribute to a litter problem which severely degrades the look and feel of our beautiful community and environment when they drop or ‘flick’ their butts without thinking twice” says Cr Tony Rush, Chairman of Keep New Zealand Beautiful and District Councillor.  “We have bins for litter, and it’s dangerous if cigarette butts are disposed with normal litter, so are implementing a simple and effective solution to avert unsightly cigarette butts that are needlessly discarded.  That way, smokers can do their bit to help Keep New Zealand Beautiful as well.   “We believe that smokers will respond positively and dispose of their cigarette butts more responsibly, resulting in a reduction of cigarette butts on our streets and ending up in storm-water drains and the environment” said Cr Rush.  “We should be particularly concerned for the impacts cigarette butt litter is having on Lake Horowhenua.”    “The only way to overcome this problem is to help people understand that it is a matter of personal responsibility not to litter the streets and allow cigarette butts into our beautiful waterways.  With this initiative there is no longer an excuse that there’s nowhere to put them”.   Since the changes to the Smokefree laws in 2004, which banned smoking in all indoor areas, cigarette butt litter has become more of a problem for Councils. Cigarette butts are one of the most common rubbish items in New Zealand and often end up in the waterways, entering the food chains of fish, birds and other marine life who mistake them for food.   Brendan Duffy, Horowhenua’s Mayor says “the Council, is proud to be working with Keep New Zealand Beautiful on this project and believes that efforts and initiatives like the ‘No If’s, Butt’s, and Maybe’s Campaign provides sensible solutions to address these issues.”.. more
28 May 2010
Unfortunately there has been some recent bad press about the campervans that venture through the lovely countryside in the Lake Whakamaru area, leaving all kinds of rubbish behind.  Some Councils are closing park over certain hours, and even banning mobile homes from stopping overnight in many places. It's great to see some responsible 'self-contained motor homers' are taking a stand against the culprits and ensuring their Tidy Kiwi Status stays around for years to come!.. more
30 April 2010
The team at Keep Porirua Beautiful have been busy during Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week – check out the brilliant work – “Navigational Light” which was created on the backing fence at Paremata Railway Station, Paremata, Porirua.. more
25 April 2010
Over 2200 handprints helped make up Tokoroa’s newest masterpiece yesterday launching latest edition to Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s 2010 calendar, Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week.   A positive, vibrant and NZ First project, Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010 runs from 24th April to 1st of May 2010 and is a nationwide celebration of what communities across New Zealand are doing to ensure their communities become and remain free of graffiti vandalism.   The theme for Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010 is “Your Community is a Reflection of you” and to celebrate their graffiti free status, Tokoroa’s community spirit, culture, and bright future has been reflected in a community mural with a difference.  The mural was commissioned by Keep New Zealand Beautiful as part of the new initiatives official launch yesterday.   The mural was been outlined by award winning urban artist Janine Williams (aka Lady Diva) and from 9am yesterday, the community came in droves to be part of the mural, colouring it in with their handprints in the party atmosphere at Tokoroa’s corner of Leith and Swanston Streets.   “We chose Tokoroa for this year’s launch to celebrate the South Waikato District’s Graffiti Free status.  We feel it’s a huge achievement and something to be truly proud of, and deserves to be showcased to the rest of the country!” says Keep New Zealand Beautiful National Programmes Manager, Mary Brown.   South Waikato District Council has been running a successful graffiti free initiative in conjunction with the local community for two years now.   Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week will also see the collaboration and promotion of educational resources, strategies and toolkits which have been developed by communities, industry, government and councils made available on KNZB’s website; on an ongoing basis as reference material for anyone wanting to find ideas on tackling a problem and positively encouraging pride in their own patch.   “Rather than re-inventing the wheel, Keep New Zealand Beautiful knows that it's 'different strokes for different folks' when it comes to tackling graffiti vandalism, so to that end are putting on show everyone’s efforts in the hope that it gives communities who are lacking ideas some positive and effective solutions for their community says Brown.”   In addition to the focus on education, Keep New Zealand Beautiful will be contributing to a series of vibrant and exciting Paint New Zealand Beautiful activities in each KNZB Zone (Upper North Island, Central North Island, Lower North Island).   Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010 is proudly supported by Ministry of Justice, Resene Paints and Kiwi Rail... more
24 April 2010
Tokoroa residents will get their chance to have a ‘hand’ in the launch of Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010, literally.   A positive, vibrant and NZ First project, Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010 runs from 24th April to 1st of May 2010 and is a nationwide celebration of what communities across New Zealand are doing to ensure their communities become and remain free of graffiti vandalism.   The theme for Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010 is “Your Community is a Reflection of you” and to celebrate their graffiti free status, Tokoroa’s community spirit, culture, and bright future will be reflected in a community mural with a difference.  The mural has been commissioned by Keep New Zealand Beautiful as part of the new initiatives official launch today.   The mural has been outlined by award winning urban artist Janine Williams (aka Lady Diva) and from 9am the community will have their chance to be part of the mural by colouring it in with their handprints in the party atmosphere at Tokoroa’s corner of Leith and Swanston Streets.   “We chose Tokoroa for this year’s launch to celebrate the South Waikato District’s Graffiti Free status.  We feel it’s a huge achievement and something to be truly proud of, and deserves to be showcased to the rest of the country!” says Keep New Zealand Beautiful National Programmes Manager, Mary Brown.   South Waikato District Council has been running a successful graffiti free initiative in conjunction with the local community for two years now.   Paint New Zealand Beautiful will also see the collaboration and promotion of educational resources, strategies and toolkits which have been developed by communities, industry, government and councils made available on KNZB’s website on an ongoing basis as reference material for anyone wanting to find ideas on tackling a problem and positively encouraging pride in their own patch.   “Rather than re-inventing the wheel, Keep New Zealand Beautiful knows that it's 'different strokes for different folks' when it comes to tackling graffiti vandalism so to that end will be putting on show everyone’s efforts in the hope that it gives communities who are lacking ideas some positive and effective solutions for their community says Brown.”   In addition to the focus on education, Keep New Zealand Beautiful will be contributing to a series of vibrant and exciting Paint New Zealand Beautiful activities in each KNZB Zone (Upper North Island, Central North Island, Lower North Island).   Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010 is proudly supported by Ministry of Justice, Resene Paints and Kiwi Rail.   ENDS   For more information contact Mary Brown National Programmes Manager Keep New Zealand Beautiful 021 552 443.. more
23 April 2010
The newest edition to Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s annual calendar begins with spectacular launch tomorrow in Tokoroa.   A positive, vibrant and NZ First project, Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010 runs from 24th April to 1st of May 2010 and is a nationwide celebration of what communities across New Zealand are doing to ensure their communities become and remain free of graffiti vandalism.   The theme for Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week is “Your Community is a Reflection of you” and to celebrate their graffiti free status, Tokoroa’s community spirit, culture, and bright future will be reflected in a community mural with a difference.   The mural will be outlined today by award winning urban artist Janine Williams (aka Lady Diva) and tomorrow morning the community will have their chance to be part of the mural by colouring it in with their handprints in the party atmosphere at Tokoroa’s corner of Leith and Swanston Streets.   “We chose Tokoroa for this year’s launch to celebrate the South Waikato District’s Graffiti Free status.  We feel it’s a huge achievement and something to be truly proud of, and deserves to be showcased to the rest of the country!” says Keep New Zealand Beautiful National Programmes Manager, Mary Brown.   South Waikato District Council have been running a successful graffiti free initiative in conjunction with the local community for two years now.   Paint New Zealand Beautiful will also see the collaboration and promotion of educational resources, strategies and toolkits which have been developed by communities, industry, government and councils made available on KNZB’s website (www.knzb.org.nz) on an ongoing basis as reference material for anyone wanting to find ideas on tackling a problem and positively encouraging pride in their own patch.   “Rather than re-inventing the wheel, Keep New Zealand Beautiful knows that it's 'different strokes for different folks' when it comes to tackling graffiti vandalism so to that end will be putting on show everyone’s efforts in the hope that it gives communities who are lacking ideas some positive and effective solutions for their community says Brown.”   In addition to the focus on education, Keep New Zealand Beautiful will be contributing to a series of vibrant and exciting Paint New Zealand Beautiful activities in each KNZB Zone (Upper North Island, Central North Island, Lower North Island).   Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010 is proudly supported by Ministry of Justice, Resene Paints and Kiwi Rail... more
22 April 2010
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17 April 2010
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16 April 2010
Saturday 24th April 2010.. more
16 April 2010
This awesome and inspiring vid was made by Gisborne local Ben Cowper.  Check it out!.. more
20 March 2010
Creekfest is an annual event held at Cannons Creek Park in Porirua City. The event is to celebrate culture, healthier lifestyles through music, dance, sport and fun activities for the whole family such as streetball, jump rope, MC battle, hip-hop, food crafts, health stalls and art murals created in front of your eyes... more
28 January 2010
Keep New Zealand Beautiful is stoked to bring you 'Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week' April 24 - 1 May 2010... more
5 January 2010
Our awesome Gissy crew of Keep New Zealand Beautiful volunteers kicked off 2010 in style at Rhythm N Vines 2009!  In charge of the action packed Waterslide, and relaxing serenity of the Hammocks we were proud to carry the Keep New Zealand Beautiful message to some 15,000 party goers from 29 Dec - 1 Jan... more
15 December 2009
Keep New Zealand Beautiful is proud and excited to announce the arrival of Mary Brown, our new National Programmes Manager... more
New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week is just around the corner!.. more