Volunteers urged to take part in beach clean-ups

Beach clean-ups are being organised around the Bay this weekend. Photo/File

Beach clean-ups are taking place around the Bay this weekend to encourage people to enjoy and look after the coast.

The clean-ups are part of Seaweek and will be run at Waihi Beach, Bowentown, Fergusson Park, Katikati, Maketu and Omokoroa at 9am on Sunday.

Envirohub Bay of Plenty general manager Renee Rewi said bringing the community together to enjoy and look after the beaches was the aim of the campaign.

"We want out local people to become sustainable and connected to [the environment]," she said.

Ms Rewi said the Bay's coastline currently needed a lot of work and needed more care and protection.

"They have a lot of food and a lot of life and they need to be looked after for future generations," she said.

People not only needed to pick up rubbish but get connected to their local communities to learn about specific issues facing their part of the coastline and play their part in helping solve it.

All are welcome at the beach clean-ups which kick off at 9am on Sunday and run until noon.

The details:
- Waihi Beach - Meet at North End Beach, end of The Esplanade
- Waihi Beach/Orokawa Bay - Meet at North End Beach, end of The Esplanade
- Waihi Beach - Meet at Seaforth Reserve
- Bowentown - Meet at Anzac Bay
- Tuapiro Point Reserve - Meet at the reserve
- Katikati - Meet at McMillan Reserve
- Tauranga/Matua Shoreline - Meet at Fergusson Park carpark, beside the playground
- Maketu - Meet at Te Tumu Carpark, end of Ford Road
- Omokoroa - Meet at Omokoroa Domain
Wear sensible shoes and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and drink bottle. We will provide gloves and rubbish bags.