Rubbish is no match for tidy Kiwis

Rotorua 5-year-olds Nakita Hopson and Hermione Gregarash want to make sure the city keeps its Most Beautiful City title.

The St Michael's School pupils were given plastic bags and gloves as part of Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean Up Week, which runs until Sunday. Now they're vowing to pick up rubbish when they see it at home, at school, in parks and even in the supermarket.

"If something falls off at the supermarket you can pick it up," Hermione said.

The pair are confident if they do that all week Rotorua will be named New Zealand's Most Beautiful City again this year.

They think everyone should get behind the week and so does Keep Rotorua Beautiful co-ordinator Christine Findon.

She would love to see businesses taking care of their areas, including nearby alleyways, and residents picking up litter in their neighbourhoods. She said anyone who lived near a reserve should also clean up there.

Although Mrs Findon would love people to clean up their areas all year round, she said clean up week was a start and she hoped helping beautify the city this week would prompt some to continue.

"It may encourage them to adopt that area," Mrs Findon said.

Anyone keen to take part in the clean-up week and pick up litter can collect rubbish bags and gloves from Mrs Findon at the Rotorua District Council or at McDonald's or Bunnings Warehouse.

The country's most beautiful city for 2007 will be named by Keep New Zealand Beautiful on September 21. Rotorua has won the title four times, including last year.