Tackling illegal rubbish dumping
This morning I announced significant new resources to tackle illegal dumping in Auckland.
For too long, illegal roadside rubbish dumping has blighted our city, harmed our environment and burdened ratepayers with the costs of clean-up. I’m sick and tired of it, Aucklanders are sick and tired of it and I’m calling on you to help Council tackle the problem.
We have made it easier for people to report illegal dumping by setting up 0800 NODUMP – a dedicated phone line to make reporting easy.
We are also hiring additional enforcement staff, doubling the number of surveillance cameras in hotspot areas and speeding up the process to clean up dumped material in public areas.
People have been asking for better information on what they can do with their residential waste, so we have made this material more accessible through www.makethemostofwaste.co.nz... and improved the council website to make it easier to find out about inorganic collections (aucklandcouncil.govt.nz...)
I’m calling on our communities not to accept the irresponsible actions of a few individuals and cowboy commercial outfits, and to report illegal dumping.
Animal Abuser
🚨 URGENT WARNING TO ALL LOST & FOUND / PET REHOMING PAGES 🚨 and people rehoming pets or reporting lost animals.
ZHENYA THORNTON SMITH, Pukekohe
It has come to our attention that a long-term, repeat animal abuser is still actively obtaining animals through Facebook groups.
The type of animal does not matter — birds, livestock, dogs, small pets — anything he can access.
He monitors rehoming pages. He approaches people offering “help.” He presents as reasonable. He will say the right things.
Do not give this person any animals under any circumstances.
If you are an admin of a lost & found page, a community group, or a pet rehoming group:
• Please stay vigilant
• Check profiles carefully
• Share this warning across your networks
Animals have already paid the price for people not knowing.
We cannot rely on authorities to protect them. That leaves us.
If you are unsure about someone requesting an animal, reach out privately before proceeding.
Let’s close the loopholes. Let’s protect the vulnerable.
Do not give this person any animals under any circumstances.
🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…
I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Do you think you know the answer?
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Loading…