Media Release

13 March, 2008

Green groundswell at EcoDay

Waitakere's key environmental event of 2008, EcoDay, attracted a record number of visitors to Olympic Park, New Lynn..

Almost 6,000 residents and visitors to Waitakere viewed the 67 exhibitor stands which were run by community groups, council services and eco-product suppliers while also taking in the entertainment and food on offer.

Prime Minister Helen Clark toured the EcoDay exhibits after officially opening Olympic Park.

Councillor Derek Battersby commented on the excellent public turnout and the broad cross-section of the public who attended.

“EcoDay highlights the opportunities now available for our residents to make sustainable changes in their lifestyles. Environmental solutions were presented
There were families keen to do their ‘bit’ for the environment and keep household expenses down, the traditional ‘greenies’ who already have plenty of knowledge and motivation but were looking for new eco-opportunities to reduce their carbon footprints and elderly residents who felt that they too could find ways to live more sustainable lives.

Many visitors were looking for information they could take home to consider.

This year’s EcoDay showed that there is an eco-groundswell building up, as the general public makes small affordable changes to the way it uses resources such as water and energy and how it can reduce waste.

There was also significant interest in environmentally-friendly transport options and sustainable building design.

Sustainable living seminars ran throughout the day on topics for everyday life including alternative technologies, backyard sustainability and green building.

The Waitakere Testing Station provided free emissions-testing for motorists, the Waitakere Libraries' mobile bus also on site engaging people with a poll to gauge attitudes and behaviours towards sustainable living.

EcoDay is brought to the community each year by the Waitakere City Council and EcoMatters Environment Trust.

Financial supporters of the 2008 event included Beacon Pathway Ltd, Auckland City Council, Philips and Newstalk ZB.

***ENDS***

© Scoop Media