Mana Whaitake o Kaiteretere 2024

320 students, from 10 schools (including a group of homeschoolers) across the Tasman Region, participated in the Tasman Bay Guardians Mana Whaitake o Kaiteretere 2024 Event this term!

- Tasman Bay Guardians

Mana Whaitake started as a Sea Week event where students can engage in activities with experts to inspire and generate action and education about the health of the moana and taiao. The students worked in and around Kaiteretere, traversing between 6 stations with different activities across the board. Senior students from Riwaka School had the opportunity to share their findings from an inquiry into the effects of plastics on the marine environment as an action from their recent experience snorkeling at Tonga Marine Reserve with TBG.

The Birdsong Trust focussed on mammalian pests and the damage that they cause to our ecosystems.

The shady area beside Whitellls walk was utilised to discover more about freshwater habitats and identify risks to our native freshwater species, such as the redfin bully, and īnanga, with the TBG education team.

At the patterns in nature station, shapes were creatively used to make sand sculptures with the help of local artist Vicki Smith.
Shirley the education lead from Project Jonah – brought along a whale to mimic a stranding. The students measured him and learned how to keep him hydrated, simulating what Project Jonah does to keep whales and dolphins alive. 

Linda Jenkins, resplendent with her little blue penguin earrings, shared with the tamariki how the Little Blue Penguin Trust cares for and protects the world’s smallest species of penguins, that are native to New Zealand and Southern Australia.

The rangatahi from Motueka High School, working with Harold Helmbright, volunteered on the day. These students were invaluable with their help in timekeeping each activity and guiding each of their groups around the beach encampment .

Over at Little Kaiteretere – Donna McLeod led local stories and history as well as a beach discovery at Ryder Reserve in the morning. 

The Tasman Bay Guardians Experiencing Marine Reserves team, led a snorkel experience for 37 students.  These students saw up close and personal some of the ocean’s wonders, with starfish, sea cucumbers, kina and spotties abundant in the area. The special appearance of a very chilled out eagle ray was everyone’s favourite.

A big thank you to all those who participated, the presenters from each station, and the Kaiteretere Recreation Reserve Board for sponsoring the event. Participants were also fortunate to receive spot prizes sponsored by the Reserve Board, and Tasman Bay Guardians.

Congratulations to Dovedale School who gathered the most points for their interaction and participation on the day, being awarded the Mana Whaitake o Aorere award for this year’s Mana Whaitaki event.

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