KNZB News feed

Judging commences for New Zealand's Best Towns and Cities for 2010

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0700

MEDIA RELEASE - 17/09/2010

Keep New Zealand Beautiful are on the hunt to find the country's best Towns and Cities, Most Community/Environmentally minded school, Environmental/Community Young Legend and Best New Community/Environmental Initiative for 2010.

Entries have been received from across New Zealand and by the end of the week; two finalists for each category will be announced with the public holding the power in deciding who takes the cake this year. Once Finalists have been decided, details will be uploaded to the Keep New Zealand Beautiful website (www.knzb.org.nz) where anyone will be able to cast their vote for the winners from November 1. Additionally and new to the programme in 2010, people will be able to vote in the ‘People's Choice' category - selecting their favorite spot in NZ even if their choice didn't make the final two.

Current holders of the Best City Title is Rotorua, and Best Small Town went to Kaiapoi, and Large Town going to Otrohonga. Best Town has been combined into one category for 2010, with the expansion of awards to cover community, school and individual efforts to Keep New Zealand Beautiful.

Winners of the 2010 Best Towns and Cities Awards will be announced at a prize giving function held at Parliament on the 9th of December. Public have until 1 December to go online and cast their vote.

For more information contact:
Mary Brown
National Programmes Manager
Keep New Zealand Beautiful
021 552 443

James hargest College - Clean Up Week

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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!

Mayor Len Brown, planting Trees for Babies

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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.

The Great Coromandel Coastal Cleanup

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Time: 02 April at 08:00 - 04 April at 20:00

Location: Coromandel Town, Te Kouma and the islands between Rangipukea and the Happy Jacks

This event will be similar to the Aotea/Great Barrier Island clean-ups we’ve run over the past two years, with beach clean-ups held over two separate days. The first day is open for local and out-of-town volunteers, boaties and families, while the second clean-up day is aimed at involving school students in hands-on learning.

For more information click here

Ellerslie Flower Show 2011 Cancelled

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0800

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.

For more information on the shows cancellation please visit: Ellerslie Flower Show website

Jubliee Park

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Media Release 22/09/2010

Today at Jubilee Park in Hamilton from 9am - 12pm a group of passionate 'Hamiltonians' 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. Jubilee Park is a popular recreation area and contains one of the few remaining stands of the Kahikatea that once covered much of Hamilton. The area needs as much help as it can get in ridding a mass of rubbish which threatens the local ecology and beauty. Items including old tyres even shopping trolleys are a 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

For more information contact:

Mary Brown

National Programmes Manager

Keep New Zealand Beautiful

021 552 443

Saddle Hill Community Board – Community Clean Up

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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.

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”.

The Saddle Hill Community Board are trialling something completely different this year. They are sponsoring three skips one at Waldronville (Golf Club), Brighton (Surf Club) and Fairfield (Community Hall).

We want local people from their Community Board area to bring some rubbish they have cleaned up from somewhere in their community as well as bring some of your own rubbish and get rid of it for free.

They acknowledge going to the Landfill is expensive now-a-days, so here is a great opportunity to get rid of your own rubbish and clean up your community at the same.

In addition to the focus on litter collection for this year’s New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week, Keep Saddle Hill Community Board Area Beautiful‘s parent organisation, Keep New Zealand Beautiful delivers a number of vibrant and exciting environmental education activities and community beautification projects across the country year round.

National Clean Up Week 2010 is proudly sponsored by New World and Four Square.

KNZB Annual Conference 2010 and AGM

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

'Back to Basics' Conference 2010.

Date: 17th to 19th September 2010

Venue: Hosted by Keep Gisborne Beautiful at the Pacific Quay Conference Centre in Gisborne.

The Annual Keep New Zealand Beautiful Grass Roots 'Back to Basics' Conference and AGM is set to be a ripper, so get this into your diary now and join us in sunny Gisborne for the brilliant line up of special guests and intriguing and motivating speakers, followed by a number of informative workshops and exciting activities to keep you busy as well as the best annual awards dinner you have seen yet!

Download your registration form here and send it to the Pacific Quay Conference Centre in Gisborne to secure your spot at the Conference.

Clean up Erura Moana Lagoon

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

MEDIA RELEASE – 17/09/2010

HELP CLEAN UP ERURA MOANA LAGOON, GREYMOUTH

Keep New Zealand Beautiful and Conservation Volunteers NZ invite you to take part in the 2010 New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week taking place in September. Last year over 240,000 people took part in over 400 events around the country – lets make this year even bigger and better!

It’s easy to get involved, simply join the Clean up event at Erura Moana Lagoon, Greymouth on Wednesday 22nd September from 10am – 12pm.

Erura Moana Lagoon provides natural breeding habitat for a range of native birdlife and is also a significant whitebait spawning area. Unfortunately the lagoon however is subjected to a massive accumulation of rubbish and litter.

There have been successful clean-ups over the last few years, with an aim of educating people about the problems of litter, but also to get the community involved in caring for the environment. If you would like to help, please contact the Punakaiki Conservation Volunteers NZ Office, phone 03 731 1808 or email info@conservationvolunteers.co.nz or register direct on the Clean Up website.

To see where our other Clean Up Events are check out Top Clean Up’s on the website – www.nationalcleanupweek.knzb.org.nz These are Clean Up Events which anyone can join – simply register to Join a Clean Up and select which event you want to be part of! Show up on the date and time and get amongst all the Clean Up action. It’s super easy to get involved – and the more the merrier!

ENDS

For more information contact:
Mary Brown
National Programmes Manager
Keep New Zealand Beautiful
021 552 443

Ngati Otara Park - Clean Up

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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

Help Clean up Jubilee Park

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

MEDIA RELEASE – 17/09/2010

Help Clean up Jubilee Park

Keep New Zealand Beautiful and Conservation Volunteers NZ invite you to take part 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 – let’s make this year even bigger and better!

It’s easy to get involved, simply join the Clean up event at Jubilee Park in Hamilton on Wednesday 22nd September from 9am – 12pm. Jubilee Park is a popular recreation area and contains one of the few remaining stands of the Kahikatea that once covered much of Hamilton. While you are there you can explore the boardwalk which winds its way through the forest.

There have been successful clean-ups over the last few years, with an aim of educating people about the problems of litter, but also to get the community involved in caring for the environment. If you would like to help, please contact Fiona McLaughlin at Conservation Volunteers NZ, phone 0800 56 76 86 or email info@conservationvolunteers.co.nz

To see where our other Clean Up Events are check out Top Clean Up’s on the website – www.nationalcleanupweek.knzb.org.nz These are Clean Up Events which anyone can join – simply register to Join a Clean Up and select which event you want to be part of! Show up on the date and time and get amongst all the Clean Up action. It’s super easy to get involved – and the more the merrier!

For more information contact:
Mary Brown
National Programmes Manager
Keep New Zealand Beautiful
021 552 443

Help Clean Up Avondale

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

MEDIA RELEASE – 17/09/2010

Help Clean up Avondale

Keep New Zealand Beautiful and Conservation Volunteers NZ invite you to take part in the 2010 New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week taking place in September. Last year over 240,000 people took part in over 400 events around the country – lets make this year even bigger and better!

It’s easy to get involved, simply join the Clean up event at Tony Segedin Reserve, Avondale on Wednesday 22nd September from 11am to 1pm. This is a large local green with bush and walkways through the mangroves, on the banks of the Whau River. The Whau is part of the vast area known as Te Wao nui o Tiriwa or The great forest of Tiriwa. The area needs your help as there is heaps of rubbish to clean up including old tyres and even shopping trolleys!

There have been successful clean-ups over the last few years, with an aim of educating people about the problems of litter, but also to get the community involved in caring for the environment. If you would like to help, please contact Fiona McLaughlin at Conservation Volunteers NZ, phone 0800 56 76 86 or email info@conservationvolunteers.co.nz

To see where our other New World/Four Square National Clean Up Events are check out Top Clean Up’s on the website – www.nationalcleanupweek.knzb.org.nz These are Clean Up Events which anyone can join – simply register to Join a Clean Up and select which event you want to be part of! Show up on the date and time and get amongst all the Clean Up action. It’s super easy to get involved – and the more the merrier!

For more information contact:
Mary Brown
National Programmes Manager
Keep New Zealand Beautiful
021 552 443

HELP CLEAN UP ERURA MOANA LAGOON, GREYMOUTH

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Media Release 22/09/2010

It's easy to get involved, simply join the Clean up event at Erura Moana Lagoon, Greymouth on Wednesday 22^nd September from 10am - 12pm.

Erura Moana Lagoon provides natural breeding habitat for a range of native birdlife and is also a significant whitebait spawning area. Unfortunately the lagoon however is subjected to a massive accumulation of rubbish and litter.

There have been successful clean-ups over the last few years, with an aim of educating people about the problems of litter, but also to get the community involved in caring for the environment. If you would like to help, please contact the Punakaiki Conservation Volunteers NZ Office, phone 03 731 1808 or email info@conservationvolunteers.co.nz or register direct on the Clean Up website.

To see where our other Clean Up Events are check out Top Clean Up's on the website - www.nationalcleanupweek.knzb.org.nz These are Clean Up Events which anyone can join - simply register to Join a Clean Up and select which event you want to be part of! Show up on the date and time and get amongst all the Clean Up action. It's super easy to get involved - and the more the merrier!

For more information contact:

Mary Brown

National Programmes Manager

Keep New Zealand Beautiful

021 552 443

Help Clean Up Ngati Otara Park

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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!

It's easy to get involved, simply join the Clean Up event at Ngati Otara Park, Manukau on Saturday 18th September from10am - 12pm. Ngati Otara is the biggest sports park in Otara. It's the hub of a vibrant community and is well used for a wide range of sports and recreational activities. However, it also suffers from the accumulation of litter.

There have been successful clean-ups over the last few years, with an aim of educating people about the problems of litter, but also to get the community involved in caring for the environment. If you would like to help, please contact Fiona McLaughlin at Conservation Volunteers NZ, phone 0800 56 76 86 or email info@conservationvolunteers.co.nz

To see where out other Clean Up Events are check out Top Clean Up's on the website - www.nationalcleanupweek.knzb.org.nz These are Clean Up Events which anyone can join - simply register to Join a Clean Up and select which event you want to be part of! Show up on the date and time and get amongst all the Clean Up action. It's super easy to get involved - and the more the merrier!

For more information contact:

Mary Brown

National Programmes Manager

Keep New Zealand Beautiful

021 552 443

MEDIA RELEASE - 17/09/2010

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

HELP CLEAN UP CHRISTCHURCH - FERRYMEAD

Keep New Zealand Beautiful and Conservation Volunteers NZ invite you to take part in the 2010 New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week taking place next week. Last year over 240,000 people took part in over 400 events around the country - let's make this year even bigger and better!

It's easy to get involved, simply join the Clean up event by meeting at Kovacs Furniture Design, 1000 Ferry Rd Ferrymead on Sunday 19th September from 12pm to 3pm. Catch public bus #3 to Sumner, 21 to Mt Pleasant or 35 to Lyttelton and get off at the Countdown Supermarket.

This is an area alongside the Heathcote River near the mouth of the Esutary where birds wade in the salt marsh. With stunning views up the Heathcote Valley and along the river, the area needs your help to rid this amazing eco-system of rubbish including drink bottles, chip bags, lollie wrappers and more!

For more information contact:
Mary Brown

National Programmes Manager

Keep New Zealand Beautiful

021 552 443

Online Game Encourages Kids To Think About Sustainability

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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.

Kiwi entrepreneur/mother founded the website MiniMonos, which means little monkeys in Spanish. MiniMonos is an online game for children, they create a monkey avatar for themselves and venture off into a virtual world that focuses on sustainability and generosity within an online community while having fun. It doesn't teach kids about sustainability, instead sustainability is normalised. Kids quickly realise that if they don't clean the lagoon, the fish don't come back, if they don't recycle thier tree houses get messy. It appears that the kids who play this game have learnt new habbits from their experiences in the virtual world and these habbits have found their place in the real world.

Check out the story on 3 News by clicking here!

Or sign yourself up to get involved in this online world by clicking here!

Keep New Zealand Beautiful Backing Kiwi Ingenuity

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

LOCAL TECHNOLOGY REDUCES PRESSURE ON NEW ZEALAND LANDFILLS

A new locally made building product has been launched to try and reduce the 163,000 tonnes of concrete dumped in New Zealand landfills each year.

According to recent Ministry for the Environment statistics* building and construction waste makes up 17% of the 3.2 million tonnes of refuse dumped in New Zealand landfills annually.

Cemix is an Auckland company, and a tried and trusted brand, which has been manufacturing innovtive construction products in New Zealand for over 25 years. Cemix has developed a new product which will provide an environmentally friendly option for DIY Kiwi's and tradesmen alike.

Cemix Envirocrete is a blended concrete mix which contains 50% recycled materials including; recycled concrete, fly ash (a post industrial by-product) and cement. Managing Director or Cemix Bhav Dhillon says the new Envirocrete is a more sustainable concrete choice for home renovators without having to sacrifice performance. This new recycled crushed concrete is a sustainable alternative to natural aggregates which means that the consumption of non-renewable resources such as riverbeds and quarries can be reduced.

Dhillon says for every 1000 tonnes of Envirocrete produced there is a reduction on landfill volume by 500 tonnes and a further 500 tonne reduction on depletion of virgin natural non-renewable aggregate resources.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful National Programmes Manager Mary Brown says “Being a tiny country, with a very limited amount of land in close proximity to valuable agriculture and forestry areas means we need to minimise as much waste from ending up in landfill as possible. Brilliant ideas such as this, shows a leading commitment to the longevity of our beautiful environment and is a huge step forward in ensuring we’re not wasting valuable resources that don’t need to be land filled.”

Lions on the case in Porirua!

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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.

This was followed up by another planting session on the 13th August where around 300 trees were planted near State Highway 1 and the Whitford Brown Turn off near the Police College.

Keep Porirua Beautiful is dedicated to reducing litter and carrying out beautification activities that enhance the physical environment of Porirua. The Vodafone Wellington Lions are getting behind Wellington and helping in the community nearly every day of the week. For more information visit www.wellingtonlions.co.nz

Rektify - Changing minds and Communities

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Rektify is a Rotorua Youth Centre (RYC), graffiti art, anti-crime programme.

Young people with no direction or mentored activity are the ones who are tagging and vandalising the streets. Rektify is a programme that has been designed in response to the graffiti vandalism epidemic on the buildings and properties around Rotorua, this epidemic causes hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to the community.

This RYC alternative is designed to get them engaged in an activity that is positive, it addresses issues in a safe environment, highlighting the possibilities and opportunities areosol art has to offer and steers them towards the art form rather then the illegal and negative elements of vandalism.

This programme is run by skilled facilitators and mentors who are respected artists and youth workers known locally and nationally, they will deliver the Rektify programme at the RYC facility in a save, positive and fun learning environment.

In a positive environment where the youth are able to express themselves, and participate in a workshop environment completing various activites targeting the development and growth of themselves and learning the knowledge of aerosol art. Time will be dedicated to target all issues around the negatives of vandalism and how to channel those negatives and positives through responsibility as a member of the community. A final exhibition of the students work will be the climax of the programme where each participants will present their work, this presentation will be promoted through the media.

Programme outline: Rektify is a six week programme, delivered two hours a week for a maximum of ten students, with workshops covering:

* Drawing, creativity, letter structure, colour concepts, design techniques and styles.

* Event management and planning.

* Research, history, street art production in the community on small or large scales.

* Personal development sessions, mentoring youth to engage in more positive activites, community responsibilities and social understanding.

Benefits include life skills such as communication, time management, goal setting, mentoring, organization skills, awareness of community responsibility, problem solving, researching skills, practice in personal development.

Keep Dunedin Beautiful, Beautification Awards

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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.

Any one can be involved, and The Keep Dunedin Beautiful Committee encourages and invites schools, community groups and individuals to nominate those who have taken part in environmental/beautification work.

A small sample of activites done by past winners include; litter and or weed clean ups, planting of plants and shrubs, painting murals, removal of graffiti vandalism, reducing the amount of waste going to the land fill or raising awareness of litter issues.

Winners from throughout the Peninsula Kati Huirapa Runaki Puketeraki - highly commended

Nominations can be as simple as a paragraph about the activity undertaken, however, the more detail that s supplied, including photos, helps the judging process.

Nominations can be forwarded to Darlene Thomson - Keep Dunedin Beautiful Coordinator at PO Box 5045 Dunedin, or by email dethomso@dcc.govt.nz no later then the first week of February each year. Ring 474 3401 for more details.

Arbor Day 2010

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Arbor Day originated in Nebraska City, in the United States in 1872, it is simply a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. The First Arbor Day was held on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska, it is estimated that 1 million trees were planted that day.

New Zealand’s first Arbour Day planting was in Greytown in the Wirarapa on July 3, 1890. The first official celebration took place in Wellington in August 1892 with the planting of Pohutukawa and Norfolk pines along Throndon Esplanade. Since 1977 New Zealand has celebrated Arbor Day on June 5, which is also World Environment Day.

On 5^th June 2010, Paula, Kaisa and his team from Keep Porirua Beautiful along with volunteers from the public came along to Paremata Bridge and planted 250 trees, the day was perfect for planting, and the following day it rained… The next public planting took place on Sunday 13^th June at Motuhara Road in Plimmerton, where approximately 500 native plants were planted… A sure fire way to help Keep New Zealand Beautiful!

Dunedin Adopt-A-Spot Initiative.

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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.

There are many benefits for your group and also the community: Team building, sense of accomplishment and pride in the community, physical work, visibility and ownership in your community, being responsible role models, and a tidier more beautiful community!

Brochures can be obtained by contacting Keep Dunedin Beautiful on 474 3401 or by clicking here to email. Keep Dunedin Beautiful can help you get started by supplying you with bags, gloves and anything else you may need. If you're outside Dunedin and interested in adopting a spot in your own patch email info@knzb.org.nz today!

Cannongate Elm Row Mural

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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.”

No If’s, Butt’s or Maybe’s for Levin

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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.”

Lake Whakamaru Clean-up Day - May 2010

Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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!

A member of www.nzmotorhome.co.nz online forum suggested a clean up day to provide some positive energy into the issue and to demonstrate that there are 'motorhomers' out there that only want to enjoy the countryside and leave no trace of their being there. So additional to the Whakamaru cleanup, around the country a whole group of forum members, some from Manukau, some in Nelson and of course some in Whakamaru - thirty five people in all got together in difficult places and cleaned up some rubbish from camping places and park over spots and even the roadside.

Fourteen people in six vehicles converged on Lake Whakamaru and collected thirteen bags of rubbish (and several items that were too large to fit in the bags) from the picnic areas, laybys, including some of SH 32 west of Lake Taupo and along some of SH 30 roadside.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful gives everyone who was involved with this a good old pat on the back, this is a sensational effort in keeping these areas beautiful, and making sure that they stay that way for the next users! Keep up the good work!

Go Porirua!

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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

Thanks to; WAG, Fofo and painters from PHS - Cannons Creek, Trev, Harbour Ranger (GW) - Grant & KPB

Before...

The cleanup team: WAG & Trev (Graffiti Coordinator-PCC).

...and after... Beautiful!

Over 2200 handprints make up community mural

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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.

Picture: Over 2,200 handprints from proud residents make up Tokoroa’s newest community masterpiece as part of Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010.

For more information contact
Mary Brown
National Programmes Manager
Keep New Zealand Beautiful
021 552 443

Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week Pre-launch

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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

Tokoroa Community to have a 'hand' in Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010 Launch

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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.

Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week April 2010

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

New to the Keep New Zealand Calendar for 2010, and not very far away is "Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010".

This week is a celebration to highlight what each of our communities accross New Zealand are doing to eradicate, and deter the negative effects associated with illegal graffiti in our public and business spaces.

Rather than re-inventing the wheel, Keep New Zealand Beautiful knows that it's 'different strokes for different folks' when it comes to tackling graffitti vandalisim so to that end will be putting on show everyones efforts in the hope that it gives communities who are struggling with the problem some positive and effective ideas for their patch.

Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week will take place from 24th April to 1st of May 2010 and is supported by the Ministry of Justices “STOP” Strategy, Resene Paints and Kiwi Rail.

Click here find out more information on the Ministry of Justice STOP Strategy.

Click here to download a copy of the "STOP" Graffiti Guide.

Our friends at Resene are also doing awesome stuff that you can get involved with in helping your community fight graffiti and provide positive outlets for community art. If you’re after free paint to get rid of graffiti in your patch download the application form here and follow the instructions. Also, if you’re feeling creative or have a brilliant talent itching to be used why not enter the Resene Mural Masterpieces competition? All the info you need is right here

To find out what’s going on during Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010 click here

Tokoroa to Launch Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week April 2010!

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Tokoroa to Launch Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010!That’s right, Tokoroa will play host to the Launch our very first Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week on 24^th April 2010, and it’s set to be a ripper!

We chose Tokoroa or ‘Tok’ as the locals know it, because for over two years now South Waikato District Council and the community have been working in hand-in-hand to eliminate graffiti vandalism from their public and business spaces and have achieved it with great success!

There’s not many (“if any”) places in NZ that can say they’re graffiti free, but Tokoroa has it ‘covered!’ Tokoroa launched their 0800 NO TAGS number in 2008, where the community can call in and report graffiti, the graffiti is recorded onto a database for investigation and removed quick-smart to prevent it from occurring again... and it’s just one great example of what our towns and cities can do in preventing graffiti from being a problem in our environments.

In order to say thanks to Tokoroa for taking a stand, Keep New Zealand Beautiful is commissioning a community mural that will take shape prior to launch day, then come the 24^th everyone in town will get a chance to be part of the mural, by colouring it in with their handprints – giving it life and leaving a legacy for Tok to be proud of and show off to the rest of the country.

As well as the mural we have loads of giveaways from Paint New Zealand Beautiful supporters such as Resene, Huffer and more, we’ll have the BBQ cranking for a good old sausage sizzle and live tunes will be pumping all day.

Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week 2010 launch will be held at the corner of Leith Place and Swanson Streets (opposite Mc Donalds), 9am, Saturday 24^th of April (rain date Sat 1 May). If you’re in that neck of the woods it would be great to see you, come join in the celebrations and help launch the next iconic week in the Keep New Zealand Beautiful calendar. Be there and be beautiful!

Gizzy Crew Making Magic

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

This awesome and inspiring vid was made by Gisborne local Ben Cowper. Check it out!

“Some friends and I were horrified with all the rubbish been dumped at our Beach in Gisborne. We decided to make a documentary/ music video about it. It’s called "I Want To Go To The Beach"

This is the kind of love Keep New Zealand Beautiful is all about – thanks to Ben and his crew for putting this together and creating something that gives us Kiwi’s a rev-up! Be a Tidy Kiwi whanau!

Announcing 'Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week'

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Keep New Zealand Beautiful is stoked to bring you 'Paint New Zealand Beautiful Week' April 24 - 1 May 2010.

This week will be a celebration accross the country of what each of our communities are doing in their own patch to eliminate and prevent the negative effects of illegal graffiti.

It's also an oppertunity to highlight an awesome toolkit for communities and businesses put together by the Ministry of Justice called the "STOP" Guide.

We've got an awesome week of events lined up so stay tuned for more info coming shortly! Put it in your diaries now and register your intrest at info@knzb.org.nz to get involved.

Representing at Rhythm N Vines 2009

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

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.

Being involved in events is just one way Keep New Zealand Beautiful is expanding it's reach throughout Aotearoa, and we're always on the lookout for keen volunteers willing to join the party! Check out some of the snaps from RnV 2009 below!

If you're intrested in volunteering for Keep New Zealand Beautiful where ever you are in NZ, click here to register your details.

A new National Programmes Manager for Keep New Zealand Beautiful

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Keep New Zealand Beautiful is proud and excited to announce the arrival of Mary Brown, our new National Programmes Manager.

Mary has been involved with Keep New Zealand for around 3 years assisting with educational input and more recently being a member of the Keep New Zealand Beautiful Board. Mary's background is in Solid Waste Policy, Education and Marketing so is what we consider to be a guru in 'all things Keep New Zealand Beautiful'

As National Programmes Manager, Mary will be working closely with local programmes, Keep New Zealand Beautiful Board, Members, Sponsors and the Community developing and implementing educational inititives as well as assisting Zone Reps and work at the 'grass roots'.

Mary will be based in Auckland at the Keep New Zealand Beautiful Head Office, so feel free to get in touch and say hi anytime!

Tony Segedin Reserve Avondale

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

MEDIA RELEASE 22/09/10

Today at Tony Segedin Reserve, Avondale from 11am to 1pm a 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. The reserve is a large local green with bush and walkways through the mangroves, on the banks of the Whau River. The Whau is part of the vast area known as Te Wao nui o Tiriwa or The great forest of Tiriwa, and needs as much help as it can get in ridding the area of a mass of rubbish which threatens the local ecology areas beauty. Items including old tyres even shopping trolleys are a 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!

Today's event is open to the public and Keep New Zealand Beautiful encourages everyone to come down, get involved and make a difference.

For more information on the New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week 2010 visit

www.knzb.org.nz

For more information contact:

Mary Brown

National Programmes Manager

Keep New Zealand Beautiful

021 552 443

Clean up Week 2010

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:24:05 -0700

New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week is just around the corner!

Yep it’s that time of year again when we tidy kiwi’s roll up our sleeves and Keep New Zealand Beautiful – the New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week will take place from the 17th to 24th of September 2010, so get your gloves out and get planning where your group will be tidying this year!

Registrations for Clean Up Week will take place right here at National Clean Up Week 2010 – you’ll be able to get all the info you need to create a Clean Up Event or join one. We’ll be sprucing up Aotearoa from top to bottom and it doesn’t matter if you’re by yourself, part of a school, an environmentally conscious business or a bunch of extended family and friends – no job too big or small!

We don’t want to be part of a country where rubbish represents us, so stay tuned here New World/Four Square Clean Up Week 2010!

Keeping New Zealand Beautiful - one fuel tank at a time.

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0700

The challenge is on to find New Zealand's most fuel efficient vehicle and Keep New Zealand Beautiful is getting on board to help.

The annual 2010 AA ENERGYWISE Rally kicks-off today in Auckland and runs through to October 14, where competitors will drive 1,780 kilometres around the North Island promoting fuel efficient vehicles and fuel efficient driving techniques.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful has been asked by Volkswagen New Zealand to participate as part of its team during the Rally, and Keep New Zealand Beautiful is proud to help promote the Volkswagen Blue-Motion Diesel Technology range which is new to New Zealand and boasts some of the most advanced fuel efficiency technology in the world.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful's National Programmes Manager says "we're thrilled to be involved in the AA ENERGYWISE Rally; we think it's a great way of promoting efficient driving techniques and modelling how much of an impact the results have on our environment, as well as our pockets!"

The rally is held in four stages and samples a wide range of New Zealand driving conditions, so fuel usage and engine use isn't limited to highway consumption levels:

Day 1 - Auckland to Wanganui via New Plymouth

Day 2 - Wanganui to Palmerston North via Masterton and Parliament

Day 3 - Palmerston North to Rotorua via Napier

Day 4 - Rotorua to Auckland

"It's great to see a wide range of manufacturers taking pride in the need to provide environmentally conscious vehicles to the market, and if we can play a part in educating Kiwi's on the benefits of this it's a win for us. Keep New Zealand Beautiful is about everyone doing whatever they can to preserve our amazing environment - and driving efficiently is an easy, but often unthought-of way of playing your part says Brown.

The Volkswagen and Keep New Zealand Beautiful Team will be doing as much as they can to connect with locals as they tour their way through the North Island, so if you're keen to come and meet the crew check out when they'll be in town at www.aaenergywiserally.org.nz

For more information contact:

Mary Brown

National Programmes Manager

Keep New Zealand Beautiful

mary@knzb.org.nz

021 552 443

Continental Car Services 'Getting on Board!"

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Volkswagen Tiguan helping to Keep New Zealand Beautiful!

Keep New Zealand Beautiful is super stoked, and super grateful for the massive contribution made by Continental Car Services this year in the form of a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan which will represent Keep New Zealand Beautiful's work nationwide.

Bradley Carrick - Continental Car Services Commercial Sales Manager, initiated the involvement with Keep New Zealand Beautiful, and the team from Auckland's premier Volkswagen dealership donated a new Volkswagen Tiguan in June.

It's the perfect vehicle for the job of getting our cause 'out there'. The Tiguan is versatile, easy to drive, has high safety levels and most important are its green credentials, with low CO2 emissions. The overall shape of the vehicle gives it a brilliant aesthetic on road presence and this teamed up with the Keep New Zealand Beautiful graphics makes a huge statement.

It's a huge accomplishment for Keep New Zealand Beautiful and allows us to get anywhere in Aotearoa we're needed. It's awesome to have a like-minded company like Continental Car Services step-up and support the work that we're doing says Mary Brown, Keep New Zealand Beautiful's National Programmes Manager.

Once again, a huge thanks to Bradley and the Continental Car Services team for all your support.

Finalists Selected for NZ's Best Towns and Cities Awards 2010

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0700

MEDIA RELEASE - 3/11/2010

Finalists Selected for New Zealand's Best Towns and Cities Awards 2010 - Voting now Open.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful has narrowed the country's best Towns and Cities, Most Community/Environmentally minded schools, Environmental/Community Young Legends and Best Community/Environmental Initiatives to find the finalists for their annual Best Towns and Cities Awards.
Entries have been received from across New Zealand and finalists for the five categories are as follows:
· Best City - Rotorua and Christchurch
· Best Town - Pukekohe and Motueka
· Young Legend - Roseanna Gamlen-Greene (Christchurch) and Sam Johnson (Christchurch)
· Best Community/Environmentally Minded School - Tatuanui School (Morrinsville) and Selwyn School (Rotorua)
· Best Community/Environmentally Minded Initiative - Schools Environmental Education Programme (Keep Christchurch Beautiful) and Nukuhou Restoration Project (Pride Whakatane)

Judging this year is different, with public holding the power in deciding who takes the cake in 2010. Voting takes place via Keep New Zealand Beautiful's website (www.knzb.org.nz) where anyone will be able to cast their vote for the winners from November 4 2010.

Additionally and new to the programme in 2010, people will be able to vote in the ‘Kiwi's Choice' category - selecting their favorite spot in NZ even if their choice didn't make the final two.

Current holders of the Best City Title is Rotorua, and Best Small Town went to Kaiapoi, and Large Town going to Otorohonga. Best Town has been combined into one category for 2010, with the expansion of awards to cover community, school and individual efforts to Keep New Zealand Beautiful. Winners of the 2010 Best Towns and Cities Awards will be announced at a prize giving function to be held at Parliament on the 9th of December. Public have until 4 December to go online and cast their vote.

For more information contact:
Mary Brown
National Programmes Manager
Keep New Zealand Beautiful
021 552 443

Electrolux plans to vacuum the Sea

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0800

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.

They are sucking up to a Kiwi environmental group to make it happen here.

A global vacuum cleaner manufacturer is tackling a problem no country has yet to broach.

Sam Judd from Sustainable Coastlines has been teaching students at his old primary school about the great Pacific garbage patch.

When pictures of it were first released, many didn't believe they were real.

The garbage patch was first discovered in 1997 by Captain Charles Moore as he sailed through the north Pacific.

It is believed to have grown from the size of Texas to the size of North America - and that's just one of five garbage patches around the world.

Pictures from Kahuka Beach, Hawaii show discarded bottle tops, toothbrushes and even the remnants of a balloon that have been swept together by ocean currents and broken down through a process of photodegradation - and nibbled at.

"Fish, seabirds, marine mammals are all eating this plastic because it looks like food, so it's killing them," says Mr Judd. It's heartbreaking, but Electrolux has another take on the trash.

"There's a mass waste of good recyclable plastic out in the ocean that we could use to make good appliances," says Julian Huitfeldt, Electrolux green rep.

The global corporation has partnered with non-governmental organisations in every ocean to "vacuum plastics from the sea", with a surprising discovery: each garbage patch has its own unique look.

For instance, the Mediterranean patch is multicoloured.

"The rubbish around the Mediterranean is predominantly made up of children's toys," says Mr Huitfeldt.

"It's very different from Hawaii where most of the rubbish is mainly blue and white because the sea creatures mistake the coloured rubbish for food and tend to eat that."

Electrolux is now talking to Sustainable Coastlines about turning the plastic from their beach clean-ups into something that can clean your carpet.

Electrolux plans to make 12 million recycled vacuum cleaners next year, but the plastic it uses will be minute compared with the total amount dumped in our oceans. To fix the problem is going to require a sea change by all of us, away from plastic.

Check out the video at 3 News by clicking here.

Article Written by Samantha Hayes, 3 News, New Zealand.

WINNERS OF BEST TOWNS AND CITIES AWARDS 2010 ANNOUNCED

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0800

MEDIA RELEASE – 9/12/2010

Winners of the 2010 New World/Four Square Best Towns and Cities Awards were announced at last night's Awards Ceremony held at Parliament.

This year the fun was in KNZB's public online voting system which took the pressure off having to choose a winner. It doubled as an excellent way to get kiwis involved in supporting the category finalists spread across the country. Keep New Zealand Beautiful's National Programmes Manager, Mary Brown says "it's been fantastic to see Kiwi communities being patriotic and voting for their favourites".

The Best Towns and Cities Awards have been run annually by Keep New Zealand for over 20 years. This year twenty-four nominations were received from across New Zealand. Winners of the five categories were as follows:

Best City - Rotorua. Prize = $5000 signage package and annual TLA membership to KNZB
Best Town - Motueka. Prize = $3000 signage package and annual TLA membership to KNZB
Young Legend - Sam Johnson from Christchurch. Prize = $3000 grant towards local/international study
Best Community/Environmentally Minded School - Tatuanui School in Morrinsville. Prize = $7,000 Panasonic technology package and a $3,000 Panasonic technology package for runner up school Selwyn School in Rotorua.
Best Community/Environmentally Minded Initiative - Nukuhou Saltmarsh Restoration Project by Pride Whakatane. Prize = $3000 towards ongoing programme costs

Additionally, something new to the Best Town and Cities Awards in 2010 was the Kiwi's Choice category - where people were able to vote for their favourite spot in New Zealand, even if their choice didn't make the final two for Best Town or Best City. Winner of the Kiwi's Choice award for 2010 went to Stoke in Nelson.

Steve Anderson, managing director of Foodstuffs, which owns the New World and Four Square brands says, "It's been great to see our deserving finalists attracting so many votes and making the most of every opportunity to gather support from their local communities. Congratulations to both our finalists and winners".

For more information contact:
Mary Brown
National Programmes Manager
Keep New Zealand Beautiful
021 552 443

Message of Support from Keep Australia Beautiful

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0800

To: Board, Staff and Participants at Keep New Zealand Beautiful

Fm: Board and Staff of Keep Australia Beautiful

A quick note to let you know we are with you in spirit at this difficult time following the Christchurch earthquake.

Australia has had its share of natural disasters this summer with flood and fire and cyclone so we have some idea of what you are up against.

While we cannot send immediate and practical support at this time it may be some help to know that we are thinking of you and wish your board and staff and participants all the best during the emergency and the recovery that will follow.

Best Wishes
Yours sincerely,

Don Chambers
Chairman
Keep Australia Beautiful National Association

Bins help stub out cigarette litter in Hastings

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0700

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.

The stainless steel, tamper-proof, wall-mounted bins were first tested in Auckland's Newmarket in 2008 and were found to reduce the number of butts left on the ground.

Keep Hastings Beautiful in conjunction with Hastings District Council and Keep New Zealand Beautiful are encouraging people and businesses to get behind the bins.

"We really focus on litter and graffiti in the Hastings area and a lot of that litter is made up of cigarette butts," council environment enhancement officer Jacqui Davis said.

"We walked around the three CBDs in our area and found out where the most butts were being dropped and that's where we will put the bins.

"Once they go in, we will do a count to make sure they are in the right place."

For the first week, Keep Hastings Beautiful ambassadors will be on the streets informing people where the bins have been placed.

"We also want to do this spasmodically, we are not just going to put them there and leave it, we will do it in the lead-up to the World Cup and in years to come."

Keep New Zealand Beautiful national programmes manager Mary Brown says once smokers know there is somewhere to put their butts, they are more likely to use the bins.

"In a year, 60 million cigarette butts get washed out to sea after being thrown out windows and into gutters," she said.

"But once people see the ambassadors and know the bins are there, they tend to look around for one."

The organisation will provide bins to businesses for $120.

AMY SHANKS, Hawkes Bay Today

KNZB on the hunt for Marine Debris

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0700

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.

The conference is being attended by over 400 delegates from around the world, all experts in their field and all with first-hand experience on dealing with marine debris in their part of the globe. KNZB’s mission is to attend, find out more about what’s going on out there in our oceans, engage with international groups and experts involved in the issue and bring this knowledge home to New Zealand so we can start helping to educate Kiwi’s on what we’re contributing to and get people involved in mucking in!

You may be thinking “what are marine debri’s and what do they have to do with New Zealand?” Well, until about six months ago we were thinking the same thing, but once we looked a little deeper into this issue we quickly learnt that globally, the issue was up there with climate change, deforestation and some of the world’s other most pressing environmental issues – marine debris, or marine litter is closer to home than we think.

Everything that we throw away has to end up somewhere right? Well, for those items that don’t make it to a landfill, recycling plant or re-use application, generally ends up in the sea, or lake being taken there by movement through rivers and streams via storm or wastewater systems. That cigarette butt that’s flicked into out the car window, or plastic bottle that’s left behind after your lunchtime break all ends up in the sea – having a detrimental effect on our marine ecosystems and species (largely through ingestion or entanglement).

Now, this is not a matter to be taken lightly, and for way too long we’ve ignored what, as Kiwi’s we’ve been contributing to globally. Basically, all of the litter that we’re sending out to sea and isn’t ingested or entangled carries on out into international waters where it’s accumulating as massive floating garbage patches – the largest in the world being located in the north-east pacific and is the size of Texas... yes Texas! There are 5 of these massive garbage patches or ‘Gyres’ world-wide and you can learn more about what’s out there and what we need to do about it at www.5gyres.org

Being a country that depends on the oceans and lakes for food, income and recreation it’s about time we learnt what’s really going on out there and what we can do to ensure we’re not contributing to the global issue. We’ll be working with other New Zealand organisations such as Sustainable Coastlines and Tangaroa Blue to raise the profile of the issue, and educate Kiwi’s as well as visitors to our shores just how much we can do simply by reducing, reusing and recycling to ensure clean and healthy waters forever. Much, much more to come from Keep New Zealand Beautiful – this is just the start!

For more information on the 5th International Marine Debris Conference currently taking place in Hawaii visit www.5imdc.org today!

Hundreds of people “Put Their Hands Up” for Hastings

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0700

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.

Paint NZ Beautiful launches in Hastings

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0700

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!

Keep Hastings Beautiful are hosting the festivities this year, creating a huge mural which will stamp the cities graffiti-free status for all to see and be part of. Come down and get your hands painted with support from Resene and help Hastings mural come to life over the course of the day – there will be plenty of giveaways and action so don’t miss your chance to be part of the cities art history!

Paint New Zealand Beautiful is an activity from Keep New Zealand Beautiful which sees the creation of community art pieces throughout the country celebrating communities taking positive steps towards creating graffiti-free communities and vibrant outlets for creative beautification. In conjunction with the community mural in Hastings, Keep New Zealand Beautiful will be launching its “Wall Worthy” schools competition at www.knzb.org.nz where designs depicting towns and cities stories of community identity from around Aotearoa will battle it out to be the best in the country. Winning schools will have their designs brought to life in their town or city, along with other prizes from Panasonic. Entries open March 19th and close July 15th 2011.

For more information on the Hastings launch of Paint New Zealand Beautiful 2011 contact Jacqui Davis at Hastings District Council.

North Shore Coastal Clean-up

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0700

When: 16 April · 08:00 - 19:00

Where: Beaches from Long Bay to Devonport, North Shore, Auckland

On Friday the 15th and Saturday the 16th of April, schools, businesses, families and volunteers and all others who love the beaches of the North Shore are invited to take part in the biggest coastal clean-up ever organised in the area: the ‘Love your Coast’ North Shore Coastal Clean-up.

The Friday event will see school students and local businesses team-up to hit the beaches, while the Saturday event will be open to the entire community. The clean-up will focus on the beaches from Long Bay in the north down to Devonport in the south - aiming to pick-up every bit of trash from the coastline along the way.

Several North Shore businesses – Benefitz, Lantern Insurance and Oceanbridge – have already confirmed their support and made generous contributions and we’re looking to raise further funds, prizes and motivate as much of the North Shore community as possible to get involved.

At the end of the clean-up event on Saturday we’ll be holding a picnic barbecue (venue TBC), so that everyone who participates over the two days can get together and celebrate what they’ve achieved.

We'll be holding a photo comp for everyone and a creative writing competition for school students: the winners of which will receive epic prizes and have their work published in Channel Mag - North Shore’s Monthly Magazine.

Just RSVP here to keep in the loop as we fine-tune event plans.

If your business wants to be a part of this unique community opportunity or you simply want to bring the family along for a fun day at the beach, contact the crew on info@sustainablecoastlines.org

If your local school would like to come along for a brilliant day of hands-on learning with results you can be proud of, contact learn@sustainablecoastlines.org

Rangiora’s Beauty Battalion

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Rangiora’s Beauty Battalion
Celebrating 21 years of Keep Rangiora Beautiful

Written by Kim Newth – Essence Community Newsletter, Rangiora

Imagine how Rangiora would look today if Keep Rangiora Beautiful (KRB) had never come into existence. Take our word for it - it wouldn't be as attractive as it is now!

Many of us may have little awareness of the hard work put in by the group's volunteers over the last 21 years, but the town has benefited hugely from their commitment. More than 8000 trees and shrubs have been established by the group ... in terms of time, it equates to roughly 6450 hours of voluntary effort. What an amazing achievement and one deserving of acknowledgement.

Ron and Barbara Mackie, founding KRB members, spent time with me recently going through the many beautifying projects that have enhanced Rangiora's good looks over the years. Ron is a former deputy principal of Rangiora High School, while Barbara is a skilled and talented home gardener. "Rangiora is such a nice town and we love doing what we can to improve it, along with other like-minded people," explains Ron. "If we see something that needs doing, we get stuck in and do it. Over 40 areas have now been planted."

Let's start with Lineside Rd. In 1992, it wasn't a particularly inspiring drive and had very little in the way of roadside planting. Then KRB and Transit NZ got their heads together and came up with an ‘Adopt-a-Highway' scheme for the 4.5km highway between Kaiapoi and Rangiora. They started with just four 50m plots; now there are 17 and one of them is even providing a natural habitat for a pukeko family. This successful trial saw similar schemes repeated throughout New Zealand. It all started here.

The Ashley Bridge picnic area was one of KRB's first big projects and included lots of plantings to provide wind shelter, with alcoves for family groups. This popular reserve was subsequently further enhanced by the Waimakariri District Council's (WDC) reserves department. Lobbying by KRB also led to the fast-tracking of plans to underground power lines in Percival Street. "It used to have all these higgledy-piggledy power poles and an open drain. It really wasn't very attractive at all.

"Our whole aim has always been to try and improve the appearance of Rangiora to visitors. Quite often it's the first impressions of a town that make the biggest impact," says Ron, who is currently serving as KRB's secretary.
No wonder then that KRB has also focused a huge amount of effort into beautifying the main railway line corridor through Rangiora. Plantings on both frontages extend for about 500m. "We started planting down by the Warehouse end some nine or ten years ago and we're now nearly at Wales Street," says Ron. Rangiora High School students assisted with that project through one of the school's environmental clubs.

The battle against graffiti in Rangiora has seen around 400 sq. m painted out using paint provided by Keep NZ Beautiful (KNZB), sponsored by Resene. Rangiora Lions also assisted. Other major KRB planting projects include the Northbrook Studios area, the Town Hall reserve and cairn, and the Keir St Reserve. The latter used to be a rough paddock off East Belt, but is now a pleasant and landscaped 50m x 30m reserve.

On the go currently is more planting at a Southbrook stream-side reserve. Every beautifying project involves plenty of planning, spraying and mulching. Average active membership of about 12 has been boosted with regular support from local schools, the public, service clubs, the WDC and local businesses.

A memorable part of the KRB team is ALB, a man-sized Anti Litter Bug, who has helped to promote Clean Up NZ week to local schoolchildren, along with an associated slogan - ‘Every day, please pick up at least one more piece of litter than you drop.'

All this effort hasn't gone unnoticed, with KRB picking up awards over the years from KNZB, Environment Canterbury and WDC. Following the two big earthquakes, KRB is in discussion with the council over carrying out a beautifying project to assist Kaiapoi.

The closing words, supplied by Ron and Barbara, are from the late Trevor Inch, the group's founding mayor, who wrote the following for KRB's 1993 annual report:

‘Important as these concrete achievements undoubtedly are, what is even more important is the positive example expressed in attitudes and relationships which add to human dignity and increase the continuing capacity of communities to help themselves to achieve goals which they determine for themselves.'

KNZB News feed

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A new National Programmes Manager for Keep New Zealand Beautiful

Tony Segedin Reserve Avondale

MEDIA RELEASE 22/09/10

Clean up Week 2010

New World/Four Square National Clean Up Week is just around the corner!

Keeping New Zealand Beautiful - one fuel tank at a time.

For more information contact:

Continental Car Services 'Getting on Board!"

Volkswagen Tiguan helping to Keep New Zealand Beautiful!

Finalists Selected for NZ's Best Towns and Cities Awards 2010

MEDIA RELEASE - 3/11/2010

Finalists Selected for New Zealand's Best Towns and Cities Awards 2010 - Voting now Open.

Electrolux plans to vacuum the Sea

Article Written by Samantha Hayes, 3 News, New Zealand.

WINNERS OF BEST TOWNS AND CITIES AWARDS 2010 ANNOUNCED

Message of Support from Keep Australia Beautiful

To: Board, Staff and Participants at Keep New Zealand Beautiful

Bins help stub out cigarette litter in Hastings

KNZB on the hunt for Marine Debris

Hundreds of people “Put Their Hands Up” for Hastings

Paint NZ Beautiful launches in Hastings

North Shore Coastal Clean-up

Rangiora’s Beauty Battalion

Rangiora’s Beauty BattalionCelebrating 21 years of Keep Rangiora Beautiful

Rangiora’s Beauty Battalion
Celebrating 21 years of Keep Rangiora Beautiful