Te Pou Toko o te Tau
These are the individuals who have made a positive difference in their corner of Aotearoa. From Cape Reinga to Bluff, these Kiwi show selflessness and determination to make a difference.
Concerned about the trashed state of New Zealand’s marine environment, Hayden persuaded the then five Mayors of the greater Auckland region to sponsor him and for the past 14 years he has been cleaning up the shores around Waitemata Harbour.
Each year he has to raise funds for this work cleaning up our water with the self-formed SEA CLEANERS Trust. The Trust has been blessed with money from philanthropic Foundations and corporate organisations, who see the benefits of what Hayden and his team are doing and want to support him in his endeavours, to clean up 10 regions of New Zealand.
Hayden’s work has also attracted international support. He is the only recipient of the Clearwater Award outside of the USA for his work in engaging communities to help clean up the environment.
He also gives talks to various community organisations, sports clubs, elderly and teenagers of secondary schools around the regions that SEA CLEANERS is present, sharing his message for a healthier Ocean.
During a visit to Hawaii, Hayden decided to help clean up part of the Hawaiian coast and caught the attention of the US Navy stationed at Pearl Harbour. This year Hayden returned to Hawaii at the time of the RIMPAC Navy exercises and was instrumental in organising a joint clean-up project with the combined sailors of both the US and NZ Navies.
Hayden is a young man who has achieved more than many in their life time and is a citizen that New Zealand should be proud of.
