Disgusted by dumping

Recently I published an article in the Mangawhai Focus regarding the dumping of rubbish on the road between Mangawhai and Langs Beach, specifically in the vicinity of the Robert Hastie Memorial Reserve as you wind up the hill before going on to Langs Beach.

I contacted The Whangarei District Council to look into the problem and remove the existing rubbish wherever possible. They came and had a look and were also disgusted, however nothing positive has happened as yet.

This area is a very special forest of pristine mature Kauri trees which, to outward appearances, seem to be resisting ‘kauri dieback’. If it is destroyed through this behaviour then we lose it forever.

I visited the area again today and decided to haul some of the junk out of the forest where it had been dumped over the banks. I wanted to achieve visibility to passing motorists and it certainly achieved that and they were absolutely appalled at what they

saw. The stench was very strong as dead pigs had also been thrown over the banks and added to what can be only described as a disgusting scene.

I had a choice as to be like everyone else and just drive past saying "Not my problem" or to try and do something about it. I chose to do something about it.

Our roadsides are becoming rubbish heaps and we either ignore it or we collectively solve the problem. I love the Mangawhai area and it has been my home for a while now so I am prepared to fight to keep it special.

How does everyone else feel?