Eco website to support Kaipara’s greenies

- By Julia Wade

Reports and images of floating islands of rubbish, plastic bags strangling sea animals and waste dumped on the natural beauty of the countryside, has unfortunately become more prolific in the media.

However Kaipara communities are keeping in step with nature with a range of projects designed to combat waste pollution, and Love Kaipara’s project manager, Victoria del la Varis-Woodcock, has organised a new initiative to support the schemes.

“There are so many groups doing great work and help is always needed,” Varis-Woodcock says. “Kaipara Cares Eco Week (November 17-24) is to raise awareness about the need to protect Kaipara’s unique habitats, while aiming to get more people involved in enhancing Kaipara’s environment.”

Eco-projects are listed on Love Kaipara’s newly launched website and include Mangawhai’s Plastic-free movement, which kick-started their summer campaign on November 19, at Wood Street Freehouse. The event featured inspirational speakers, a calendar of upcoming events and an unveiling of the group’s new logo.

Mangawhai was also visited recently by a roaming zero-waste roadshow, The Rubbish Trip on October 22, inspiring a group of locals to think about how they can reduce their waste footprint.

The free workshop’s presenters, Wellington ‘no-waste nomads’ Hannah Blumhardt and Liam Prince, had been on the road fulltime since Plastic–free July, spreading their message about living rubbish-free to communities around the country.

Other initiatives around the district include privet control, pest trapping competitions, Plastic-Free BYO Bag days, free composting workshops and a screening of ‘A Plastic Ocean’ at Dargaville cinema.

“Eco Week offers just a taste and there’s so much more going on,” Varis-Woodcock says. “I see our website as being a hub for eco activities in our amazing Kaipara district,

where people can get all the details and inspiration they need to join in. Doing something good with others is a sure way to happiness.” To view events or to add your own, email love.kaipara@xtra.co.nz or view lovekaipara.co.nz.

More information on The Rubbish trip or Plastic-free Mangawhai, can be found on the groups Facebook pages.

The Love Kaipara team inspiring a green mentality; educator Margaret Baker, administrator Emma McClean and project manager Victoria del la Varis-Woodcock.