A new scheme is being launched to encourage residents to look after the beach this summer.

The Adopt a Beach initiative is being launched with the support of Maritime New Zealand and aims to get people actively involved in keeping an eye on the region's beaches for any sign of oil of debris.

Beach clean-up volunteers board Forest Lady bound for Matakana Island.

Volunteer engagement team, event planner Sirri Smith says they are going to start winding down the major clean-up events in the area.

'What we're trying to focus on now is our Adopt a Beach initiative.

'We're trying to put the focus on people registering and allowing locals to be part of a roster and take turns scanning their part of the beach.”

She says they are easing of on the large scale events because they don't want to overwork the volunteers.

'We would like people to join up to the Adopt a Beach sessions. We will still have the odd large scale events but maybe in the weekends or every couple of weeks.”

Beach clean-ups are continuing today with a fresh crew of 20 volunteers making their way to Matakana.

Sirri says they have got events at Papamoa and one at Maketu.

She says the state of Matakana has improved quite rapidly.

'We've had the defence force working over there for the last couple of weeks and they've made really good progress.

'I guess the main thing to note with Matakana, is that it's got as much coastline around it as we've got from the Mount to Maketu.”