On a beautiful spring day in September 2024, Te Kamo Village got a much-needed refresh thanks to the hardworking volunteers and generous local businesses that came together for our very first Te Kamo Spring Clean. The event exceeded all expectations. What started as a simple initiative from Kamo Community Inc quickly grew into an event that may well become an annual tradition for our community. And what a day it was! From garden and rubbish cleanups to water blasting pavements and even handing out rat traps, the difference it made was incredible.
This event wasn’t just about a quick tidy-up—it was about community. It was about showing pride in Te Kamo Village and taking steps to create a cleaner, greener space for everyone to enjoy. With over 50 enthusiastic volunteers and several local businesses, we achieved so much together.
Waterblasting Power
A few days before the event, in the early morning hours, Wash Rite Northland‘s water blasting tackled the weathered surrounds, generously providing their services free of charge. Around Bin Inn, Hook Inn, and over the road at Soda Cafe, they cleaned the shop fronts, windows, signage, and even the concrete footpaths. It’s amazing how much fresher the place feels. Sometimes it’s easy to forget just how much difference a thorough clean can make to a space we see everyday.
A New Touch of Green
No village cleanup is complete without some greenery. Kamo Community Inc was thrilled to add some new life to the area by installing concrete planter pots outside Hammer Hardware and Liquorland. This project showcased the true spirit of community collaboration: Duracrete Products Ltd donated the planters, Greenfingers Landscaping Supplies provided the soil, and Hammer Hardware, who not only helped store the planters but Jase maneuvered his forklift like a pro, placing these beautiful concrete planters in place. With plants purchased by Kamo Community Inc including funds donated by Bin Inn, the planters were filled with carefully selected plants that have already begun brightening up the street.
Rat Trap Giveaway – Tackling Pests Together
While the cleaning and beautification efforts were underway, another important initiative was taking place. Tiakina Whangarei and Kamo Community Inc teamed up to give away 50 rat traps as part of an ongoing pest control project for the village. This practical addition to the day’s activities demonstrated that the Spring Clean wasn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about creating a healthier environment for everyone, from our native birds to our backyard gardens. A huge thank you to everyone who picked up a trap and is contributing to make Te Kamo pest free.
A Team Effort – Volunteers & Local Support
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible volunteers who showed up ready to work . Over 50 volunteers rolled up their sleeves – they were everywhere – on Three Mile Bush Road, down the main street, or the large parking area in between – pulling weeds, clearing dead plants, and planting new ones. Even the kids came along, learning the value of community service, with our KCi chair David, delivering a wheelbarrow full of donated goodies to the hard workers, small and big.
Huge thanks to Nicholas Connop and the FORCE(For Our Real Clean Environment) team, who were were absolute champions . They took charge of ensuring litter was cleared from the footpaths, carparks, gardens & gutters, making sure not a single piece of litter escaped their eagle eyes, and helping to create a space everyone can be proud of.
Generous Contributions from Local Businesses
Our local businesses really stepped up too, proving that Te Kamo’s community spirit runs deep. Four Square, Kamo Dairy & Lotto, Omak Meats, Brothers Barber, Domino’s Pizza, Unichem Pharmacy, Kamo Gifts & Books, Book Inn –all chipped in with spot prizes that kept everyone’s energy up. The Whangarei District Council also joined in with prize donations, demonstrating how the Spring Clean had brought together both private and public sector support.
Other contributors also helped ensure the day ran smoothly. Helen from Citycare provided crucial support with her truck for green waste removal, Jo from Tiakina Whangarei & helpers ran the Rat Trap Giveaway, and Chris and Lou from Northland Scaffolding pitched in with the prep work and made sure everything was ready before the big day. These contributions, though perhaps less visible, were a big part the day’s success.
Looking Ahead – Building a Tradition
The Spring Clean revealed something important about Te Kamo: when the community comes together, impressive things happen. From the youngest volunteers to the most experienced, everyone found a way to contribute. The day showed how individual efforts, when combined, can create significant positive change in a community space.
The feedback from the community has been fantastic, and the results speak for themselves. The village center looks cleaner, brighter, and more welcoming than ever. Kamo Community Inc is already looking forward to next year’s event, and we’re excited to build on what we’ve learned.We hope to make the Te Kamo Spring Clean a tradition that gets bigger and better every year.
So, however you contributed, thank you for being part of something special. This event wasn’t just about cleaning up—it was about coming together, strengthening our community, and showing pride in our village.
