Nelson Intermediate’s Wāhine Toa Class Shines at Show and Tell

After completing the EMR (Experiencing Marine Reserves) programme the Wāhine Toa class from Nelson Intermediate recently hosted an inspiring show-and-tell day featuring a variety of impactful action projects. The Tasman Bay Guardians were very impressed with the creativity, thoughtfulness, and passion behind each project reflected the students’ deep commitment to ocean conservation and environmental stewardship.

A Message Through Art: Ocean Mural Project

The first project featured a vibrant mural depicting a mother humpback whale and her calf, surrounded by a diver, coral reefs, and diverse marine life. The mural’s bold message, “Save our oceans, save our future”, highlights the crucial role of the oceans in sustaining life on Earth. A symbolic drawing of a discarded plastic bottle was included to show that pollution is impossible to hide from marine life. Through their art, the students hope to provoke conversations and inspire positive environmental actions within their school and beyond.

A Call to Action: Letter to the Mayor

Emma Miller took her advocacy further by writing a heartfelt letter to Nelson’s Mayor Nick Smith. Inspired by her snorkelling experience with the Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) programme at Cable Bay, she urged local leaders to consider establishing more marine reserves in the top of the South Island. Emma’s well-researched and passionate appeal underscored the urgency of protecting New Zealand’s unique marine biodiversity for future generations

Spreading Awareness: Pamphlet for Visitors

Another student saw an opportunity to raise public awareness by creating an informative pamphlet about the Horoirangi Marine Reserve. The pamphlet outlines permitted activities, special marine features, and the importance of conservation efforts. It will be distributed at Cable Bay’s campsite and café to educate visitors about the area’s ecological significance and encourage environmentally conscious behaviour. The school also plans to keep a stack of these pamphlets at the Cable Bay Café for ongoing public engagement.

Rubbish clean up

Another student organized a beach cleanup and used the collected rubbish from the beach cleanup into the confronting mural featuring a breaching whale entangled in debris, designed to spark conversations about environmental responsibility. The school intends to hang this mural prominently, ensuring its message endures.

Through these powerful projects, the Wāhine Toa class demonstrated māia (courage), kaitiakitanga (guardianship), and a deep sense of responsibility for the future of our moana (oceans). Their creativity and passion leave an enduring message: together, we can create a sustainable future for all. Kia kaha!

A big thank you to Nelson Intermediate school, Sports Tasman, The Rātā Foundation, Experiencing Marine Reserves – EMR, Friends of the Haven, Better ancestors

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