‘Love Our Gulf’ Beach events to help raise awareness

Residents and visitors are invited to participate in special WWF on-shore ‘beach’ events in Auckland and Waikato this summer as part of a campaign to show just how much we love the Hauraki Gulf – New Zealand’s largest and most used marine park.

“WWF loves the Hauraki Gulf. It is on the doorstep of our biggest city, and is crammed full of beauty spots, fishing spots and cool critters,” says Lee Barry, WWF’s head of New Zealand Projects. “We want to know; why do you Love Our Gulf?”

The first “Love Our Gulf” event will be held this Sunday 19 January at Long Bay Regional Park from11.30am to 3pm.

Mana whenua, local and central government have just kicked off a process called Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari to plan for a healthy, productive and sustainable future for the Hauraki Gulf. Everyone who lives near, visits, works or play in the Hauraki Gulf can be part of this ground breaking process.

WWF’s Lee Barry said: “WWF are right behind Sea Change. We want to create opportunities for real conversations – to listen and learn about why people love our Hauraki Gulf, where they love to visit and what they love to do there. WWF believe it is vital that the public has a say in the Gulf’s future.”

‘Love Our Gulf’ are the first events to gather information about how people use the Gulf, which WWF will pass on to the Sea Change Stakeholder Working Group, which are leading the planning process.

The events take place in some of our favourite coastal spots in and around the Hauraki Gulf this summer and will coincide with events like the Whangamata Billabong Pro.

People can visit WWF’s funky “beach scene” and create their own personal messages about why they love the Hauraki Gulf - through videos, photos, personal statement and art. Those who can’t make it in person can still post and share on Love Our Gulf’s online platforms.

“Participants in the ‘Love Our Gulf’ beach events will not only be in the running to win great prizes, but can start being involved in Sea Change through creating their own personal messages about why they love the Hauraki Gulf.”

Event details

What: First “Love your gulf” event of the summer.
Where: Long Bay Regional Park (near the main entrance), Auckland.
When: 11am to 3pm

ENDS

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