Media Release

Spring Clean Whakatū Nelson
12-20 October 2024
www.whatifnelson.co.nz

Tuesday 3 Sept 2024

What if…we could spring clean the city?

This October, we’re inviting people to join our volunteer army of spring cleaners

  • Pull on some rubber gloves

  • Grab a bucket of soapy water

  • Shine those windows

  • Sweep the footpath

  • Wash away the dirt and grime

  • Clean up graffiti tags

  • Weed and plant garden spaces

  • See new artworks come to life

In November 2023, Make/Shift Spaces ran a series of talks and discussions under the banner of What If Whakatū Nelson…? The aim was to encourage people to think about what Whakatū Nelson might look like in the future – more facilities, more greenspaces, more pedestrian access, better planning, a more vital inner-city…

The responses were collated and grouped into achievable short-, medium- and long-term goals. One popular suggestion was around the theme of giving the city a jolly good clean.

Of course, Nelson City Council makes sure the city always looks good, but the campaign for Spring Clean Whakatū Nelson is about making the city really sparkle.

“Spring Clean Whakatū Nelson is about tapping into the sense of ownership that people have for our city,” says Anne Rush, General Manager of Make/Shift Spaces. “It’s about encouraging everyone to make a small contribution, knowing that this will add up to a massive impact.”

“Everyone we’ve spoken to so far – property owners, retailers, hospitality – knows the importance of presenting the city at its best. We’re invigorated by the potential of what can be achieved, not only in cleaning, but in refreshing and replanting unused garden spaces, installing new artworks on walls and doors, cleaning up graffiti, and generally sprucing the place up.”

The first step was to engage with a range of business groups, including Nelmac, Nelson Chamber of Commerce, and Uniquely Nelson, drawing on their networks and experience.

The next step was to begin canvasing property and business owners about how they could be proactive by thinking up self-generating ways to improve their respective patch of the city. The initial response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many eager to sign up.

“We’re really encouraging businesses to initiate their own contribution, so that their efforts will lead by example, and really drive the clean-up as a whole,” says Rush.

For individuals and family/friend groups wanting to get involved, there will be a selection of projects for which people can register online.

And at the end of the campaign, there are plans for a community event, to come together and celebrate our freshly cleaned city. Details to come.

All in all, there’s going to be lots happening, with some real results!

Check out www.whatifnelson.co.nz

The Spring Clean Whakatū Nelson campaign is an initiative of the What If Whakatū Nelson Community-led Taskforce, facilitated by Make/Shift Spaces and supported by Nelson City Council, Nelson Chamber of Commerce, Uniquely Nelson and Arts Council Nelson.

Make/Shift Spaces is part of a global movement to re-use, re-invigorate and re-present un-used spaces in our fast-changing urban environments. Make/Shift Spaces facilitates temporary takeovers of vacant spaces, bringing life and creativity and stories to our city.

More information: Sarah Wilson 0212 963 886 sarah@sarahwilson.nz