Exciting times in Term 3 with the amazing tamariki from Fergusson Intermediate and Trentham Primary School! Together we went on a freshwater adventure to Māwai Hakona and Collin’s Stream as a part of our Whitebait Connection Programme.
The journey began with an exploration of their local awa, Māwai Hakona, where the tamariki embarked on a freshwater adventure. Here they were able to use the special tools that they had practiced with in class to measure the six C’s of the awa: clear, clean, cold, current, cover, and creatures! They were not only able to observe the water conditions but also got a firsthand look at some of the fascinating creatures that call this stream home. One particularly lucky student even managed to catch an elver, one of the juvenile stages of tuna!
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The freshwater exploration didn't stop there! We continued our adventure at Collin’s Stream in Tunnel Gully, where we journeyed through the beautiful native ngahere to reach the awa. Here we witnessed the pristine (and very cold) conditions of the stream while getting up close and personal with the kōura that live there. Through these experiences, the tamariki not only learned about freshwater ecosystems but also developed a strong sense of responsibility towards their environment.
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Motivated by their hands-on learning and inspired by their experiences in nature, the tamariki decided to take action to protect and enhance the mauri of Māwai Hakona. The schools joined forces to plant over 300 native plants along the banks of Māwai Hakona.
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A massive shout out to the organisations that made this possible: Enviroschools, Upper Hutt City Council, Friends of Māwai Hakona, Forest and Bird Upper Hutt, and our amazing volunteers!
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