School students take action to protect Te Repo o Papatahora wetland
A group of tomorrow’s scientists from Te Rōhutu Whio School in Tauwharekākaho Rolleston visited Te Pā o Moki marae in Southbridge in October to learn about the biodiversity of its surrounding land and help protect it for future generations.
Ākonga (students) planted native trees at a site on Te Repo o Papatahora wetland, next to the marae. They searched for invertebrates and insects on the surrounding land, using invertebrate identification charts and logging their findings on iNaturalist and even tested their own wooden and harakeke (flax) watercrafts in a nearby stream.
Working together to restore the environment
The day was collaboratively run by Te Taumutu Rūnanga Ltd, Te Ara Kākāriki Greenway Canterbury Trust, Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai and Enviroschools staff.
The planting students did is part of the Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai – a project which has been going on for the last five years, to rehabilitate the lower-mid catchment of Te Waikēkēwai/Waikēkēwai Stream connecting to Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere.
Restoring Te Repo o Papatahora wetland has been an integral part of the project.
This work helps to improve water quality, increase mahinga kai values and enhance biodiversity around the stream.
Te Rōhutu Whio School student searching for invertebrates
Learning through manaakitanga
The learning focus of the field trip was manaakitanga – looking after the environment – a topic the students had been focusing on in the classroom.
Te Rōhutu Whio School teacher Kayla Te Aika said the tamariki got so much out of the experience.
“Our tamariki are getting connected to their whenua, their land, their taiao, their environment and the science around us. We’re connecting back to our local rūnanga and marae, with which we have a strong connection that we’ve built up over time.”
Te Aika said it was the third time visiting the marae for some of the students on the trip and each time they’ve planted at a different location on the site. Through this, she said they get to experience being “kaitiaki and guardians.”
“They’re part of history, creating a future for many generations to come back and visit,” Te Aika said.
Inspiring future environmental leaders
Te Ara Kākāriki Kids Discovery Plantout programme coordinator Brie Liberty said having the students involved in the project was incredibly valuable.
“Work like this that involves tamariki is important because they’re our future generation and getting them involved in native restoration projects shows them that they really can be agents of change, and it shows them that they can make a difference in their local environment.
“I think if they learn it early, they’re more likely to go into their life knowing that they can make that change and knowing the importance of it.”
Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai kaitohutohu whenua land management advisor Nicci Delahunty said the field trip helped students understand that small actions today can make a big difference in the future.
“A little thing at the moment, like putting a tree in the ground, is not so little when they come back a few years later to see the tree’s actually grown. It’s no longer a wee seedling; it might be up to their shoulders. So, it’s really neat for them to see that they’ve actually made a difference.”
Part of the wider Whakaora Te Waihora programme
The school trip and planting were part of the wider Whakaora Te Waihora programme, one of the most significant voluntary iwi and Crown collaborations in Aotearoa.
Co-Governance partners Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Environment Canterbury, Selwyn District Council, Christchurch City Council and the Department of Conservation are delivering the programme to rejuvenate Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere and realise the catchment’s full potential.
Want to learn more or get involved? Discover the Whakaora Te Waihora programme and how you can support restoration efforts across the Te Waihora catchment. Learn about projects we need your help with