Bay of Islands rubbish barge back for summer

A mobile summer rubbish barge will be back on the water in the Bay of Islands again from 28 December with boaties urged to use it. 

The manned barge – a familiar site in the Bay over the summer holiday season – is a joint venture between the Northland Regional and Far North District Councils, the Department of Conservation, contractors Waste Management and Moturoa Island Limited. 

Popular with local and visiting boaties alike, the service is weather-dependent and may vary, but plans to start operating again this year on Friday 28 December. It will then operate three times a week – typically on Monday, Wednesday and Friday – through until Friday 18 January.

On operational days, the barge will initially visit campsites on Urupukapuka Island from about 9.30-10.30am, before mooring close to the south-eastern end of Moturoa Island (the same position as last summer) from around 11am until 2.00pm, or until it’s full. 

A flat $6 fee per rubbish bag applies; please note this fee applies regardless of whether pre-paid or plain bags are used.  Recyclables are accepted, but again a fee also applies of between $2 to $5 per bag depending on the quantity.  (Please clean all recyclables; dirty recycling will incur an extra charge.) 

Shore-based facilities will be available at Opua, and recycling only at a new site in Rawhiti; the Kaingahoa campground, Kaingahoa Bay, Rawhiti Rd.