Major award for local Clean-Up leader, Karen Lee

The Team from Whangarei District Council

Congratulations to local legend Karen Lee who has been nationally recognised as a "Tidy Kiwi of the Year" by Keep New Zealand Beautiful (KNZB) this year.

Karen is the backbone of F.O.R.C.E (For Our Real Clean Environment) which organises the popular Love Whangarei Monthly Clean Up and the new Repair Cafe Whangārei. She also somehow juggles a full-time job and raising a toddler with her partner, Councillor Nicholas Connop.

Karen says the secret is to make it fun: "People motivate and encourage others and get encouraged and motivated in return. Anyone can take part - just start small and encourage others and you'll be amazed at the results."

KNZB says "The vision of F.O.R.C.E is to treat waste as a resource, and Karen lives and breathes that vision! Karen has a passion for reducing waste in the environment, and that passion inspires others to do better too." Anyone who has been to one of their clean-ups or the Repair Cafe will agree!

Thank you Karen and everyone who volunteers to keep Whangārei beautiful - we love the difference you make.

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(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

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