The Beautification Trust’s Chorus Cabinet Art program in South Auckland transforms simple utility boxes into living art, celebrating local communities, history and nature while acting as a counter to vandalism.
Photo: LDR / Beautification Trust

More than 23,000 tags have been removed across the city of Auckland, thanks to an ‘A-grade’ service provided by a social enterprise.

Specifically, 3070 of these were removed from the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu local government area.

The Beautification Trust has become a key player in South Auckland’s efforts to maintain clean and vibrant communities.

The Trust transitioned from an Auckland Council-controlled organization to a South Auckland-based social enterprise in 2024.

On Wednesday evening, Community Program Manager Sterling Ruwhiu and Community Coordinator Erin Bowers presented to the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, showcasing the Trust’s ongoing contributions.

“Our mission is to connect the power of communities to learn, love and care for the environment. That is our kaupapa.”

“Tonight, we’re also showing how our work is impacting society in three key areas: communities that feel proud and safe, a healthier and cleaner environment, and empowered, connected communities,” Bowers said.

The repair cafes have been successful in the community.
Photo: LDR / Beautification Trust

The revenue generated from the foundation’s services is reinvested in its community programs.

Their work in the last financial year includes:

• partnerships with 202 community groups, schools and artists
• graffiti removal, clearing 23,076 tags, including 3,070 from the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board area
• award $14,025 in small grants to community groups through the Tiaki Fund
• support 67 community projects through various initiatives
• lend 1437 tools to community groups via the tool library
• creative projects, including 17 murals, such as one by Samoan artist Elisabeth Kumaran at Māngere Bridge.

Other key initiatives include the official opening of the Manurewa Bike Hub, the promotion of low carbon travel and the success of the Manurewa Community Recycling Centre, which has diverted almost 190,000kg of waste from landfill in just two years.

“We’ve had great success with our repair cafes and launched our Food Together pop-up.

“Every Thursday, people can buy a $15 bag of fresh produce, which is 40-50 percent cheaper than supermarket prices. We also have volunteers at our recycling center, as well as a small group from Spectrum Care who contribute back to the community,” Ruwhiu said.

The Trust hosted four repair cafes last year, successfully repairing 129 items and diverting 496kg of waste from landfill, offsetting around 3400kg of carbon emissions.

The Trust mobilized 902 volunteer hours and engaged over 6,000 children and young people in environmental education programs such as Eye On Nature and Wearable Arts.

Programs such as Eye On Nature and Wearable Arts have engaged over 6,000 children.
Photo: LDR / Beautification Trust

Eighteen Early Childhood Education (ECE) and primary schools participated in Eye On Nature, with 35 artworks submitted and over 200 children engaged. In addition, 402 students from 19 schools entered 85 garments for Wearable Arts.

Ruwhiu shared a story about two sisters involved in wearable art projects: “A little girl, Siruian, bioengineered her plastic for her outfit, and her sister grew crystals to include in hers. That’s the kind of innovation that comes from our young people . “

Tauanu’u Local Board Chair Nick Bakulich praised the foundation’s value to the community.

“Every dollar is a dollar well spent in terms of taxpayer dollars. The responses we get, especially around graffiti removal, are A-grade done in a very, very short amount of time.”

Bakulich also suggested discussing how to increase applications from Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Schools of Portable Art if funding is a limiting factor.

Local board member Christine O’Brien praised the foundation’s impact. “The impact on (graffiti removal) is just amazing,” she said.

She shared an example from Saleyards Road in Ōtāhuhu: “There was a guy driving around between Vector and Auckland Transport, and the place was getting increasingly (messy).

“Within a day of me saying, ‘Have you tried beautification (Trust)?’ everything is gone, and (he was) truly the happiest … on earth so thank you for that.

Through its innovative programs and strong partnerships, the Beautification Trust continues to promote sustainability and strengthen communities in South Auckland.

LDR is local journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.