Is graffiti a problem where you live?
Adopt a spot in your neighbourhood to keep it free of graffiti vandalism.
This service is provided by Keep New Zealand Beautiful (not Council). We support the Adopt a Spot programme by giving you access to free paint supplies, which we source through Resene.
How to adopt a spot
Keep New Zealand Beautiful (with support from Resene and the Ministry of Justice) provides free tool kits for anyone wanting to keep an area of their neighbourhood graffiti-free. Kits include:
- Rags
- Spray bottle
- Remover solvent
- Paint
- Brush
- Roller gloves,
- Hat
- Hi-vis jacket.
How to request a kit
Contact Keep New Zealand Beautiful to request a kit. Complete the message section of the request form on their website. Give your name and address and the reason why you're requesting a pack - for example:
- My street is routinely vandalised and I'd like to maintain it
- My fence and the fence of my neighbours is routinely vandalised, I'd like to keep it graffiti free
- My neighbours and I are keen to adopt our street/suburb and keep it graffiti free
- My community group would like to do a clean-up of graffiti vandalism in our neighbourhood
If you'd like further information, please refer to the KNZB website or contact them directly.
Other things you can do
- Organise a paint-out. Gather community volunteers to remove graffiti in your neighbourhood.
- Download an Adopt-a-Spot application form (PDF 63 kb) and a Adopt-a-Spot memorandum of understanding form (PDF 77 kb) or get in touch and we can mail one out to you.
- Form or join a Neighbourhood Support group and develop initiatives to protect areas targeted by taggers. If you live in a graffiti prone area, consider having a stockpile of communal graffiti-covering paint for all to use. Council with the support of Resene can provide recycled paint free of charge.
- Co-ordinate a graffiti awareness campaign at your local school or in the community.
- Consider painting a mural on a communal area being targeted – this often works to deter graffiti and can be a very positive community project. Resene runs a regular Mural Masterpieces competition that assists community groups creating murals. Talk to Council as well - we've supported many community murals and art pieces.
- The paints, aerosols and marker pens used for graffiti are often acquired illegally. Vandals often store paint and tools in their bedrooms. Parents should be alert to an unusual number of aerosol spray cans or marker pens in their children’s possession. Retailers should pay attention to any young person repeatedly purchasing items that could be used for graffiti.
Further information
Resene's anti graffiti products