Alright whānau, it's time to talk trash.

As this time of year can involve a lot of consumption, which is often met with a lot of waste, we put the spotlight on our mates at Sustainable Coastlines to share their tips on how to cut down on what we're producing this holiday season and how to make the most of summer in Aotearoa...Without ruining all the good times!

For any newbies, Sustainable Coastlines are the legends who deliver and support large-scale clean-up events, educational programmes and citizen science environmental monitoring activities all across Aotearoa (a.k.a the guys whose data was used to inform the government’s plastic ban in October.) Pretty awesome, right? 

Okay - let's get into it!

The summer holidays also offer a fantastic opportunity to explore our own backyards here in Aotearoa - beaches, treks, rivers and beyond! 

Here are some of the Sustainable Coastlines and Go Media staff favourites:

Te Henga Walkway, Waitakere (Auckland)

This is a really beautiful way to experience the Waitakere Ranges and the beautiful beaches beyond. It’s a clifftop walk from Muriwai to Te Henga Beach (or the reverse) — a really lovely way to spend a day.

Tunnel Beach (Dunedin)

This is a bit of a different one — the walk takes you through an 1870s excavated tunnel to a little beach. Beautiful scenery (amazing cliffs) with some interesting history.

Rotoroa Island in the Hauraki Gulf

We did a big clean-up here earlier in the year, and it was the first time that most of us at Sustainable Coastlines had been to the island. The ferry trip is a great way to experience some of the Gulf, and once you get there, if you’re lucky, you’ll see some special birds, thanks to the restoration efforts on the island. We recommend a swim at Ladies Bay after you’ve had a walk around the island.

Accessible Walk: Lamar Track (Christchurch)

The ideal for those who want scenic views, but can’t be on their feet for a long time. The ten-minute loop offers 360 degree views of Pegasus Bay, Lyttleton Harbour, Canterbury Plains and Christchurch CBD. On a clear day you can see snowy peaks in Kaikoura. Perfect spot if the grandparents are in town.

First overnight hike: Peach Cove Hut (Northland)

This is Hayley's go-to recommendation for newbie hikers; an easy loop walk with a mix of coastal views, history, wildlife and a bookable hut so you don’t have to carry as much. If you listen at night, you can often hear kiwi calling over the ocean waves. Be sure to plan ahead, as its usually booked out on Saturday nights.

Lamar Track (left), Peach Cove Hut (right)

Keen to do more? Volunteers have played a large part in bringing Sustainable Coastlines' vision to life by removing litter from our coastlines for the last 13 years and together have removed 1.7 million litres. 

If you're looking to get stuck in and give back to Papatūānuku this summer, Sustainable Coastlines will be running beach clean-ups as part of their summer series. Check out their events page here to see what's coming up in your local area.

Hoake tātou, let's GO!