Collective Action in Action: 7,700 Litres of Rubbish Removed from Puketutu Island

On Friday 23 May 2025, we stood together on the shores of Puketutu Island, united by a simple kaupapa: to love and restore our harbour. With support from Sea Cleaners, Te Motu aa Hiaroa Charitable Trust and the Manukau Harbour Forum whānau, our community took part in the clean-up effort as part of Love Your Harbour Day, in the run up to the Manukau Harbour Symposium on the 31st May.

By the end of the day, we had filled an entire boat with illegally dumped waste – a staggering 7,700 litres of rubbish. This is a powerful reminder of both the scale of the issue and the potential for change when people come together with a shared purpose.

Island Road in Māngere, one of Auckland’s worst illegal dumping sites, was our starting point. From there, we turned our focus toward the coastline surrounding Puketutu Island, collecting everything from household debris to construction waste. Gloves were dirtied, boots got muddy, and conversations were had – about the whenua, the moana, and how we can all be part of the solution.

There’s something deeply grounding about this kind of mahi. It’s physical, yes – but also symbolic. Every bag filled was a small act of aroha, for our moana and for future generations.

We’re proud of what was achieved, but even more inspired by the collective energy and care that powered the day. As we look ahead, we’ll continue this kaupapa, bringing more communities into the fold and reminding each other that this harbour belongs to all of us. Stay tuned for more clean-up days, working bees and action to uplift the health of our harbour.

He taonga te moana – let’s treat it that way.