Blitz on tagging begins

Masterton's east side is putting the pride back in the community with a week-long project to combat graffiti.

Masterton District Council east side co-ordinator Deborah Davidson said the Tag Out Week aimed to get the whole community together to get rid of tagging and to find ways to prevent it from happening.

Anyone keen to help can meet next week and will be assigned an area to clean up.

"Some of the tagging we will be removing has been there for a long time" she said.

Ms Davidson said graffiti made the neighbourhood look untidy, and with a bit of a clean-up the community will be able to take more pride in their area.

"It's taking ownership of the community and making a stand that we want to tidy up our neighbourhood and keep it that way."

Paint has been donated to the project by Rigg-Zschokke, Resene, The Decorating Company and Guthrie Bowron.

The Henley Men's Shed have donated paintbrushes to use although the project team are still looking for more.

Other sponsors are Masterton District Council, Trust House, Masterton Safe and Healthy Community Council, Te Awhina Cameron Community House, Wairarapa REAP, Lakeview School, Makoura College, and the Department of Corrections.

The week will end with a free community lunch at the Te Awhina Cameron Community House at midday next Saturday.

The community will then discuss ways to prevent graffiti in the area. "This is our neighbourhood and we're not going to tag it," said Ms Davidson.

Graffiti kits will also be available for people who are unable to make the event but would like to clean graffiti off some of their own property.

The east side's Tag Out Week runs from July 23 to July 28. Contact Te Awhina Cameron Community House co-ordinator Jenny Barre on (06) 378 9638 between 10am to 1pm for more information or to donate paintbrushes.