Sunshine attracts litterbugs to Peak

The major rubbish clean-up of Te Mata Peak earlier this year is being spoiled by a new wave of litter bugs as the warmer weather and longer summer hours attract more visitors to the famous mountain destination.

Te Mata Park Trust Board trustee Mark Holder said amonsgt rubbish left at the peak over the weekend were the usual collection of fast food waste.

He said the fresh ice in the drinks suggested it may have come from a local Havelock North outlet. Rubbish bins are located in the park but some fail to use them.

"I suppose the out-of-town tourists will find it reassuring to see such a common worldwide phenomenon on our unique landscape.

"I bear no malice to the owners of the outlet but the vigilance of all those visiting the park can perhaps gather registration numbers of these numbskulls so we can prosecute them and exclude them from the park with a trespass notice."

Trust chairman Bruno Chambers said a large number of road cones had been thrown over the peak and a new wrecked car had appeared in the past week.

"Since we had the big clean-up, there's been a lot more new rubbish disposed of over the edge which is becoming more apparent.

"It is disappointing having spent so much time and effort to tidy the whole place up and people are still coming in just trashing the place which is a Hawke's Bay icon and a significant feature for the community."

Mr Chambers said he hoped the planned Te Mata Park Visitor Centre would help create more awareness of the peak and encourage more people to look after it.

"There will certainly be better surveillance of people coming and going from the peak. And we implore the public to take notice of anyone who is rolling tyres or debris off the top to report it to police.

"It is a no-exit road to the peak and it is very easy for police to intercept cars on the way down if they know the number plates."