A free week away - but with a catch

More than 50 people are being fed, watered, and housed in the small west coast community of Okarito this week, as part of this year’s GorseBusters working bee.

Those who attend will get to work in helping remove rubbish and invasive weeds from the town's coastal wetlands.

Organiser and local business owner Barry Hughes says that while the environment has greatly improved three years on, the communal and social value has become just as important.

He says it's a social event with musicians, talks, quizzes, and even a marriage in 2022 for a couple who met there the previous year.

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