On Sunday 20 June, Orakei Local Board along with a group of Orakei businesses and community groups led by the Mission Bay Business Association and SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium are setting out to clean up Mission Bay Beach.

The Mission Bay Community Beach Clean is taking place prior to World Oceans Day (Tuesday 8 June) and the group is calling on the local community to join in and lend a hand.

Volunteers are asked to gather at Selwyn Reserve, Mission Bay, between 1pm – 3pm to clear rubbish from the reserve and beach using the gloves and bags provided. Participants are also invited to take part in a FREE beach yoga session from 3pm – 4pm, while kids will be treated to face painting throughout the afternoon.

Not only is the litter washing up on local shores an unpleasant sight; it also harms and kills marine wildlife. According to Ocean Crusaders, it is believed there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in our oceans causing over 100,000 marine mammals to die globally each year. Turtles, whales, dolphins, sea lions and sea birds are particularly susceptible to plastic pollution.