amazing! The Ministry of Environmental Protection needs to buy 155,000 meters of toilet paper a year, which can be used to travel around New Zealand ten times…

New Zealand Chinese Pioneer Network Sophie Translated If anyone knows toilet paper best, it must be Daryl Sweeney, a forest ranger at the Ministry of Environmental Protection (DOC).

The North Canterbury ranger’s job includes not only cleaning public toilets at DOC sites, but also replacing toilet paper.

Recently, DOC announced the total amount of toilet paper ordered by offices in New Zealand in 2024/2025, with a total of 15.5 million meters nationwide.

The equivalent of about 15,500 kilometers, can almost put toilet paper rings in New Zealand ten times.

The data also showed that among the various work areas of the DOC, the most toilet paper was ordered in the southern part of the South Island (including the Fjord National Park and several top trails), at 3103037 meters; followed by the northern part of the South Island (including the Abel Tasman top trail and the famous Tōtaranui camping area), with a total order of 3069369 meters; the third place was the Hauraki Waikato Taranaki area (including the Coromandel), with a order of 2727160 meters.

Daryl Sweeney is responsible for the DOC site in Canterbury, including toilets to Arthur’s Pass and the extremely popular and culturally significant Castle Hill on the West Coast Highway.

“Everything we do outdoors is crucial to New Zealand’s unique natural environment. This includes using the toilet responsibly. How and where we choose to use the toilet is key to ensuring that no harm is done to the beautiful outdoors.”

“We call on visitors to use the toilet before departure and plan toilet stops along the way. Those heading to the deep mountains need to know what to do when there is no toilet – the advice can be found on the DOC website.”

Daryl Sweeney said it is not just about using the facilities provided.

“What is shocking is the amount of toilet paper used. Sometimes toilet paper piles up next to the toilet. Some toilets are in very bad shape, frankly.”

“If you don’t do this at home, why do you do this in public toilets? Everyone has a responsibility to respect the natural environment and not leave garbage in and around these places.”

North Canterbury operations manager Leeann Ellis said Daryl is just one of many hard-working forest rangers across the country who drive to and from multiple stations every day to change toilet paper and keep facilities clean, including weekends and public holidays.

“A lot of people don’t know that this is one of the core jobs of the DOC. Our rangers spend a lot of time doing this work, and sometimes it can be disgusting,” she said.

Daryl Sweeney said everyone has a responsibility to protect nature and would be a huge support for him if the toilets were kept cleaner.

He said, “People should respect these beautiful places they visit. I think if people experience my work for the day, they will understand. What I want to say is: Use the toilet provided, use less toilet paper, fold the toilet paper instead of crumpling it into a ball, throw it into the toilet or trash, and keep the toilet neat. It’s simple.”

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