Aucklanders get soaked for a good cause

Kids get wet in an attempt to stage the world's largest water pistol fight at Western Springs this morning. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Aucklanders armed with water pistols congregated at Western Springs this morning in an attempt to get into the Guinness Book of World Records.

The challenge was to stage the world's largest water pistol fight.

The attempt was tied in with the UNICEF Tap Project, raising funds for clean water schemes in developing countries.

UNICEF spokeswoman Carolyn Shivanandan said it was a bit of fun to highlight a more serious issue.

She said this year the project is focussing on Laos, where around 80 per cent of the population has no access to clean water.

More than 2671 participants were needed to break the world record, which was set in Spain in October 2007. Around 1500 people took part at Western Springs today.

"Unfortunately we didn't quite beat the world record, but we are really grateful to all the thousands of people, especially children, who turned out for what was a fun day for a good cause," Carolyn Shivanandan said.

More than $2000 was raised for Unicef's work with children.

- NEWSTALK ZB, NZ HERALD STAFF