In November 2016, Algalita bade farewell to Captain Charles Moore and crew as they departed to conduct a six-month long voyage to and throughout the eastern South Pacific. The goal was to assess the current state of plastic pollution in the South Pacific accumulation zone within the eastern sub-tropical gyre. What they found not only confirmed the disturbing presence of the persistent pollutant, plastic, but that the threat extends to even the smallest and remotest areas of our earth. As first mate, Raquelle de Vine saw first hand the extent of pollution in the South Pacific Gyre. One day, while sampling off the coast of Rapa Nui, she spotted a fishing bucket from her home, New Zealand. Upon ending the voyage, her determination to addressing plastic pollution at home sparked the formation of Algalita South Pacific. Working closely with the Algalita team in California, she’s building a chapter to bring quality, culturally specific education on plastic pollution to schools and communities in New Zealand, as well as policy support, research and community action. The goals of Algalita are to monitor and bring attention to plastic accumulation in the near shore and open ocean areas of the South Pacific. To empower youth to become change-makers of today while preparing them to take on the challenges of the future. To inspire individuals and communities to adopt plastic-smart habits. To design and evaluate solutions with industry, policy makers, businesses, and entrepreneurs within the South Pacific community, while holding each group accountable for their responsibilities, actions, and impacts.