Collectors hiding the real us

By Peter Griffin

If people can really be judged by what they throw out, our international visitors could get a glimpse of the real Auckland when they arrive this week for Apec.

Their route from Auckland Airport will take them near a routine inorganic rubbish collection in Manukau City's Papatoetoe ward.

But if they do spot any cast-offs, it will be in spite of the best efforts of local rubbish collectors.

Piles of bric-a-brac lined Puhinui Rd yesterday as dump trucks removed a motley array of junk from the ward's streets.

Foragers keen to make use of the assorted household cast-offs have been scouring the streets since the rubbish appeared at the weekend. Puhinui Rd resident Tonca Vai picked up some carpet to lay over a hangi.

Marie Gibson of Alpha Refuse Operators said the Manukau City Council had brought its inorganic rubbish collection forward by two weeks in anticipation of Apec.

"Although there isn't really anything different about this collection, the council has stressed we prioritise the main roads with Apec in mind."

The rubbish was expected to be cleared by Thursday, but "we are also on standby over the weekend in case there are any late dumpings."