Residents show they really give a ship
This summer shiploads of Kapiti residents are cleaning the district’s beaches dressed as pirates and decorating a boat using their finds.
It’s all for Shipshow, a project to raise climate change awareness, organised by four Kapiti women.
People are encouraged to come dressed as a pirate to search the beach for treasure - rubbish and found objects, which will be used to decorate and repair a boat.
The ship will be launched on February 4, with the audience joining local musicians, actors, poets and other performers on the vessel.
Community theatre stalwart Julia Truscott, the show’s artistic director, said she had always wanted to hold a show on a boat.
‘‘The story is it has been shipwrecked and this mysterious bunch of eco-pirates have put the call out to clean the boat.
‘‘The audience will be taken on an imaginary adventure.’’
She said the organising quartet’s research on climate change encouraged her to combine the two ideas.
‘‘Just realising how dire the situation is and how it doesn’t see like anybody is talking about it very much ... The idea is we’re all on the same boat.
‘‘We wanted to do it in a positive way, not doom and gloom, celebrating the strength of the community.’’
There are altogether - Paekakariki four cleanups including at Beach and Tiramoana Rd in Raumati South on January 22, at 10am and 2pm respectively.
Cleanups at Paraparaumu and Waikanae were held earlier this month. Truscott said strange items found on the beach so far include tyres, large pieces of sacking and jandals.
Children will craft the rubbish at a holiday programme at Paekakariki scout hall.
The 30-metre boat will be constructed out of bamboo and driftwood in front of Paekakariki Surf Club in the days leading up to the launch.
Kapiti Coast District Council had given a waste reduction grant to the project.
Solid waste services manager Glen O’Connor said the grants were given out annually through a contestable process.
‘‘The Shipshow was a successful applicant and we’re delighted to see them taking an innovative approach to making our beaches cleaner.’’