Wellington Community Group Plans Giant Floating Poo Emoji to Protest Wastewater Plant Failure

A community group in Wellington's Lyall Bay wants to raise seven thousand dollars to build a four-metre-tall inflatable poo emoji and float it in the surf. The informal group called The High Tide Club is seeking backers for the project through a Pledge-me campaign that is awaiting approval. Club member Johnny Carpenter said the idea is meant to bring some humour after a tough year marked by storm damage and the failure of the nearby Moa Point wastewater plant. Carpenter stated that the stunt might give people a laugh and get the council talking about fixing the problem. The club previously built a driftwood Tiki Bar on the shorefront using debris left on the beach after recent storms. Local business owners have mixed reactions to the plan. Maranui Cafe co-owner Katie Richardson laughed when she saw the idea and called it funny, though she was unsure about tying the community's identity to it. On the other hand, Verdure Surfboards owner Jack Candlish said he lost forty percent of his business due to the wastewater plant failure. Candlish called the situation embarrassing and stated that the massive amount of sewage flowing into the sea near the capital city's airport makes a mockery of the country's clean green image. He noted that businesses have been struggling so much that a business owner broke down in tears during a meeting with the council, and he is considering moving his business further north if he can afford it.

Context

Wastewater plant failures and major infrastructure issues can severely impact local coastal businesses and tourism. Community groups often use creative or humorous protests to draw attention to municipal problems and pressure local authorities into taking action.