Graffiti Free Week 16-22 March 2015

Graffiti Free Week 16-22 March 2015

Perceptions that graffiti and tagging are growing problems are reinforced by steps taken by courts, police, local government and Parliament to introduce more effective intervention strategies. Local government expenditures on graffiti and tagging clean-up efforts represent a significant commitment from limited resources. In 2008, national legislation on the sale of spray paint was tightened and a maximum term of imprisonment for intentional property damage was instituted. The STOP strategy is a clear example of a programme which was created to address the extent and impact that graffiti and tagging has had on the community. Graffiti remains an ongoing issue which affects us all.

“Research has shown environments plagued by litter and graffiti have higher crime statistics. Eradicating graffiti leads to a safer, happier community” says Joanne Powell of Keep New Zealand Beautiful.

Many Kiwis got stuck in this year, individuals, businesses, schools and community groups got out into their communities and helped to remove graffiti from their patch.

Sponsored by Resene and the Ministry of Justice, Keep New Zealand Beautiful Graffiti Free Week was our most successful initiative to date, with:

* 19 registered events
* 7 Council’s involved
* 2815 square metres of vandalised walls covered
* Over 900 community volunteers
* Participation from schools, community groups, councils, churches, Girls Brigade, tertiary institutes,
Conservation Volunteers and others
* Group size varied from 5 volunteers (MIT) to 150 volunteers (The Tag Out Trust)
* Christchurch having the most registered events (6)
* Has also encouraged and led to Graffiti Free school education in Christchurch and Hastings

Graffiti Free Week is a nationwide behaviour change campaign aimed at the elimination and prevention of graffiti vandalism from a community based approach. Part of our month long Paint New Zealand Beautiful initiative, Graffiti Free Week serves as the basis of ongoing support and provision of information from Keep New Zealand Beautiful as a leading advocate for graffiti vandalism education.

For further information on the Graffiti Free Campaign and how your community can get involved, please contact Keep New Zealand Beautiful General Manager - Heather Saunderson on heather@knzb.org.nz.

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