A colourful national tour, titled the "Unpackit Roadshow of Joy" reached the University of Otago campus last week, and aims to raise awareness about the need to improve product packaging to reduce unnecessary waste.
In a lively lunchtime performance at the University Union, roadshow performers burst into some musical "rapper wrapping" and also broke free of their packaging while dressed as bananas on stilts.
The roadshow highlights the 16 finalists in the 2011 people's choice awards for the best and worst packaging in New Zealand, with the winners to be announced on May 6.
People can vote for their best and worst examples of packaging via an internet site www.unpackit.org.nz, which also offers more information about the roadshow group's ideas and itinerary.
The tour is being organised by Central Otago recycling pioneers Wanaka Wastebusters and has been backed by $80,000 from the Ministry for the Environment to advance waste-reduction strategies throughout the country.
Wanaka Wastebusters communications officer Gina Dempster, who was one of the performers, was "really happy" at how the performance had been received by students.
About 150 people had voted for the awards at the union building.
