Keith Earl can be seen picking up rubbish in Kerikeri every morning.

Keith Earl is a man on a mission to make Kerikeri more beautiful.

Every morning, six days a week, the 77-year-old local hits the streets to rid them of rubbish discarded carelessly by others.

With several plastic bags in his back pocket, he sets off from home about 7.30am for his 90 minute walk of the town and its parks.

Keith voluntarily picks up bags full of rubbish around Kerikeri.

He picks up an average of five bags per morning.

"On busy mornings I get heaps; as much as I can carry," he says.

"You get a lot of people who go drinking and you get heaps of bottles.

Keith delights local kids with bubbles at the Kerikeri Domain.

"I get lots of people who are sympathetic, they say 'well done'."

Earl started his litter blitzing mission about three years ago, while out walking with several friends.

During their long walks they noticed the rubbish lining the streets and decided to do something about it.

But Earl's sore hip was giving him trouble, so he scaled back the outings, opting for shorter stints around town.

On a good day, when his leg is up to it, he still gets to Cobham Rd, the Domain, along the Waipapa bypass and back and down to the Stone Store and along Homestead Rd.

People know and appreciate him; they often wave out and say thanks.

About a month ago, the Kerikeri Lions Club gave him a meal at the RSA and a certificate for "making Kerikeri more beautiful".

"I had one person come up and give me a $20 voucher for petrol and another guy pulled up and gave me $2," he says.

"A lot of people say 'thank you very much'.

"I do it mainly for the exercise and meeting people. Everyone says hi and it's a nice atmosphere. I get so many compliments, it makes it worthwhile.

"I like to say I'm doing a bit for Kerikeri; for the town."

Earl, originally from England and a coach painter by trade, has lived in New Zealand 46 years, after the NZ Motor Corp sponsored his trip. His work was initially repainting cars in Auckland, then he moved to Kerikeri with his wife of 52 years 12 years ago.

He can also be seen at Kerikeri's weekend markets demonstrating giant bubbles to delighted children. He sells the wands and solution after his wife saw it on Facebook.

"We thought we'd have a go at that."

He picks up cigarette packets, bottles and cans, plastic bags, coffee cups and general rubbish.

"People say there's not enough bins but there is. There's heaps of bins but if it's not convenient they'll just stick it anywhere.

"It's laziness and lack of care."

Kerikeri Business Association president Jason Vokes says Earl is a good sort.

"In this day and age of people volunteering, and giving their time it's very rare to see someone so committed and doing something positive for the local community.

"The council can't do everything and be everywhere so he's seen the gap and made a difference."

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