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Source: ONE News
Otara locals are being urged to 'adopt-a-spot' as part of a renewed effort to eradicate graffiti in South Auckland.
Auckland Council launched a rejuvenated campaign to clean-up street vandalism at an Otara rugby league club this morning.
It is hoping an 'adopt-the-spot' programme will encourage neighbourhood volunteers to take on the responsibility of keeping an area of their community graffiti-free.
The council, which spent $4.8 million last year combating graffiti, will supply paint, brushes and other equipment to any volunteer eager to maintain their chosen area.
"I want Aucklanders to take pride in their neighbourhoods and their city," said Auckland Mayor Brown.
"That means supporting communities by removing ugly graffiti vandalism as quickly as possible and removing the incentive for taggers."
Brown launched the new campaign at the Scorpions Rugby Club where local artist Joe Lane had worked with members of the club and students from neighbouring Hillary College to paint a mural.
Brown said Auckland taggers could take part in similar initiatives around the city if they wanted to "paint a wall".
"I don't want a grey city - community projects like this are the best way to bring colour and vibrancy to our city at the same time as curbing repeat offences in popular graffiti hot-spots," he said.
"Bringing an end to graffiti vandalism in Auckland goes hand-in-hand with injecting a greater sense of pride in our community - let's do both."
The council also announced the graffiti team responsible with removing vandalism from residential and business owners for free will now operate on a round-the-clock basis.