Local community groups, individuals and schools have rallied for Keep NZ Beautiful Week, which ran for an extended period this year from September 7-27.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean Up Week mobilises up to 70,000 volunteers every year - cleaning up beaches, picking up litter, removing graffiti, planting trees and much more.

Last year more than 52,000 volunteers took part in 456 events nationwide and while the final tally is not yet out for the 2020 event, Upper Clutha groups packed a punch. 

Hāwea Flat School students in years five and six, as well as the Insights and Innovations students, participated in a community clean-up on September 10. 

The Mt Barker Residents Association took to the Cardrona River for a clean-up effort earlier this month, where they collected more than a tonne of rubbish in around two hours.

The Mt Barker Residents Association cleared more than a ton of rubbish from around the Cardrona River. PHOTO: Wanaka App

Also in Hāwea a team of 40-or-so, who were supported by another crew supplying morning tea, undertook a major cleanup.  

Organiser Kaz Armstrong Smith said the event has for many years been organised by local stalwart Colleen Carr, and Kaz is learning to take over the reins for future clean ups. 

“The amount of rubbish is better every year,” Kaz said, but added that there is “a significant amount of stuff coming off the building sites”. 

Generally though, Kaz said she thinks people are becoming more responsible with their waste.

“I think people in general are just getting tidier - I think people have that mindset to clean up.”

The Hāwea crew took advantage of Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Keep NZ Beautiful Week promotion where they were able to drop off rubbish at the transfer station at no cost. 

A QLDC representative said at least 240 volunteers across the district signed up for Keep NZ Beautiful Week and there were at least five registered events. 

Keep New Zealand Beautiful is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to keeping communities clean, safe and beautiful. Its campaigns ‘Be A Tidy Kiwi’ and ‘Do the Right Thing’ have been part of New Zealand culture for over 50 years. Learn more about being a tidy Kiwi year-round here.