Everyone is invited to take part in a rubbish clean-up along the Waihōpai River banks this Sunday.

The clean-up is being organised by the Invercargill Sunrise Rotary Club and Environment Southland, marking the first day of National Volunteer Week.

Environment Southland acting director of science and information Ken Swinney said the volunteer event tied into Environment Southland’s evolving Water Story, which provided easy access to information about Southland’s freshwater environment. 

The theme of this year’s National Volunteer Week - Whiria te tangata, or "weaving the people together" – emphasises the value of volunteering in bringing people together. It also highlights how working together towards a particular goal can strengthen the end result. 

“Southland’s water story is complex and multifaceted, so telling people’s stories about their experiences in their areas is one way to help build understanding and awareness of how our actions and choices can make a difference to water quality," Mr Swinney said.

“When you see all of the effort taking place across Southland, you can really see a groundswell of change happening. There’s a huge amount of momentum, so let’s keep it going."

Members of the Invercargill Sunrise Rotary Club’s Foundation Subcommittee have been working on projects across the Invercargill surrounds to improve water quality for some time. The subcommittee will soon be working with Invercargill City Council to install moulds of fish on all stormwater drains across Queens Park to remind people that what goes down stormwater drains flows directly into the closest waterways. 

Waihōpai River clean up event: 

Where: Assembly point is by the Waihōpai River banks at the end of Bill Richardson Drive near Beatrice Street

When: Sunday 16 June, 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. 

Bring: Warm clothes, sturdy footwear. 

This event will be happening in almost any weather. Check Environment Southland's Facebook page in case of cancellation.