Bayfair Shopping Centre helps turn the tide on erosion

Bayfair Shopping Centre is inviting shoppers to help strengthen the dunes of Arataki Beach by taking part in the planting of 1,000 native dune plants during the school holidays, as part of a dunes replenishment project.

Complementing Earth Hour 2012’s global theme, Dare to Save the World ‘I will if you will’ campaign, Bayfair asked its shoppers to write a pledge detailing what they would do to reduce their impact on the environment. For each pledge, Bayfair committed to plant one native dune plant as part of an existing Coast Care initiative. Bayfair shoppers’ desire to preserve the environment is strong and as a result, the centre is donating 1,000 native dune plants to the project.

Between now and 5 July, the community is invited to book spaces in the daily dune replenishment project. Planting days will take place between 2 to 6 July and each day a bus will depart from Bayfair at 11am, driving straight to the special dune location allocated for Bayfair at Arataki Beach.

With the help of a Coast Care Bay of Plenty Coordinator, shoppers will have the opportunity to learn more about this precious environment and will be able to plant native dune plants until midday, when the bus departs back to Bayfair. 

Bayfair marketing manager, Nina Rivett says “The dune replenishment project is a great family school holiday activity that we’re proud to be a part of. Not only are you able to do something with your family to protect the wonderful beach at Arataki, but kids are able to let off some steam doing something physical outdoors. The number of plants we’ve been able to donate really reflects ours shoppers commitment to protecting their natural environment”.

The dune coastline is a very narrow and delicate environment, one that is constantly under threat from human and environmental damage. The Coast Care initiative aims to rebuild and re-strengthen the dunes and educate the public on correct usage of the areas to preserve for future enjoyment.

To capture the dune environment and the great work by Bayfair shoppers, amateur photographers are invited to enter into a photography competition. All those who take part in the dunes replenishment project are invited to take their digital camera, with memory card capable of use at a photo developing kiosk, to The Camera Corner (next to Countdown), upon return to Bayfair. Staff will print two 5”x7” photos for free. One copy is for the photographer to keep, the other will be displayed next to the Bayfair Information Desk from the next day until 8 July, for public vote as part of the competition. The photo with the highest number of votes will win a $250 Bayfair gift card.

Places on the dune replenishment project can be booked by visiting the Bayfair Information Desk, phoning 07 572 0100 or requesting a call back using the contact us tab on www.bayfair.co.nz. Further information about the dune replenishment project and photo competition terms and conditions can be found at www.bayfair.co.nz.

For ongoing updates about the project, visit Bayfair’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/bayfairshoppingcentre).