Watercare Harbour Clean-Up Trust

The trust was set up in 2002 to deal with the increasing amounts of litter entering the sea via roadways and stormwater channels, often clogging up streams and estuaries along the way. This rubbish is a hazard for birds and marine and freshwater fish species, and damages the environment by leaching and degrading habitats.

Initially the trust was sponsored by Watercare, Ports of Auckland and local Auckland councils, and was called the Waitemata Harbour Clean Up Trust. The Ports of Auckland provided the Phil Warren boat, named in recognition of the environmental initiatives led by the late chairperson of the Auckland Regional Council.

Today Watercare provides sponsorship and administrative help. In July 2011, the name was changed to the Watercare Harbour Clean Up Trust.

The trustees are:

• Peter Drummond (Chairman)
• Penny Whiting
• David Worsnop
• Rob Fisher
• Brian Monk

Welcome on board the Watercare Harbour Clean-Up Trust boat. Our day begins with a run-through of the boat’s extensive checklist and the completion of the log book. The skipper records the weather conditions, fuel levels, tide times and the names of those on board. Last but not least, we have a crew safety briefing.

It’s time to cast off – the ropes are let go and we motor out of the marina to begin our daily run along the waterfront. We scoop up litter from the viaduct, around Princes Wharf and in front of the Ferry Terminal. Plastic bottles, wrappers and polystyrene are the usual haul.

We then head to our scheduled location – it could be Takapuna Beach, the Tamaki or Whau rivers, or Herald or Rangitoto islands. Whatever the destination, you can be sure we will find litter.

On arrival we anchor the boat and lower the kayaks into the water. Now the real work begins as we kayak to the shore, mudflats or mangroves. Pulling the kayaks up above the tide mark, we begin to fill the rubbish bags. Bottle caps, tooth brushes, lighters, children’s toys, car tyres … The volunteers are amazed at the amount of litter.

When we’re through, we take the rubbish bags to the boat and lift the kayaks back into place. Then it’s time to wash the mud off and head home. Once the load has been taken to the recycle bins and skips and the boat has been scrubbed down, we complete the log and call it a day.

This routine is weather-dependent but generally it’s similar from one day to the next.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the insight into our work.

Let me finish by thanking the volunteers who give up their time to help keep our beaches and waterways beautiful. We really appreciate your support!

Captain Ben Harris