While the wind made the job that much harder, sisters Elise (6) and Ava (8) Simeon, of Stewart Island, worked on Foreshore Rd - armed with a bin bag each, they collected rubbish on the grass banks opposite the port.
Their grandmother, Jo Thomson, of Bluff, said it was the girls' first clean-up event, and they were lending a hand during their school-holiday visit.
While Ava said she had not found anything particularly interesting, they collected plenty of rubbish - "I've found lots of plastic bags, heaps and heaps of plastic bags."
The event was held as part of the Bluff 2024 Urban Rejuvenation project, and co-organiser Sue Garland said more than 15 people turned up.
It became an annual event about five years ago, and less rubbish had been collected each time.
"It's been good - the first year we got something like eight cubic metres of rubbish ... We find less and less, which is great."
She attributed this to people cleaning up year-round.
"People are doing it, not just on the one day but they're doing it all other days ... People are taking more pride in the town."
While a truck-and-trailer-load of rubbish was expected to be collected, the amount was considerably less, she said.
The clean-up lasted two hours and covered many Bluff streets. Some people wanted to clean their own streets, while others were given streets to clean, Ms Garland said.
The event finished at noon and afterwards volunteers were invited to have a cup of tea in appreciation.
