Esther Dupu, well-known for her work with youth in the North Otago community, has been appointed co-ordinator of the T.A.G. (Totally Against Graffiti) group.
T.A.G. is a programme designed to educate school pupils and their parents on the cost and consequences of graffiti, the increasing anxiety offenders feel as a result of their actions and ways of reducing the visibility of graffiti in the community.
It encourages pupils to take the lead in eliminating graffiti and educating their peers.
The group will also lead activities to remove graffiti and beautify the community.
Mrs Dupu is also involved with the youth group Main Street Youth and the youth drop-in centre.
She is also a Waitaki Guardian and does chaplaincy work at Waitaki Girls High School.
Her appointment was a "really positive step", Waitaki community safety officer Alison Banks said.
Mrs Dupu's first job involved contacting schools to see if they would like to be involved in the programme and put forward two representatives for the group.
Some initiatives already suggested included launching "adopt-a-spot", where school groups look after designated areas, a T-shirt competition and art exhibitions.
Since anti-graffiti initiatives had been implemented, there had been "massive" improvements, including a drop in the use of spray cans for tagging.
