Waterways

Titiro Whakamua - Looking Ahead

Wai Awhina

Our plan for 2025 is to work with our community as citizen scientists to monitor changes that are taking place in our local aquatic environment and help restore mana to moana and awa.

This will involve a closer connection to the Manukau Estuary and Poorman's Stream, collecting data on the health of the water and its inhabitants.

We have big, exciting plans to get our year 5 & 6 tamariki out on the water to give sailing a try at the Nelson Yacht Club's Rūna programme and in the water with Experiencing Marine Reserves. These opportunities will give us hands on understanding of changes to climate and invest our ākonga in contributing to the restoration of our blue belt.

Caring for our waterways

Tahunanui Beach

In 2023, all of our ākonga explored the rock pools, beachfront and shoreline at Tahunanui Beach. We identified life using the 'Marine metre squared' method which allowed us to compare what is on our shore with other areas, monitor how things change over time and learn lots while having fun. To give back to our environment, we also conducted a rubbish pick up along the beach and in the adjacent playground area. This trip is now part of our biennial EOTC plan.

Species indentification.

Marine metre squared.

Poorman's Stream

The floods and subsequent clean up affected our ability to find life in the stream in 2024. We were still able to awhi the stream by clearing away rubbish. Next year we are engaging with The Whitebait Connection for some hands-on science and conservation action.

Manukau Estuary

Known locally (and incorrectly) as 'Monaco', the Manukau Estuary is just down the road from our kura. It provides an excellent opportunity to explore the mudflats as well as a sobering visual of the impact of rubbish from the adjacent highway.

Kaiako from Birchwood School were lucky enough to learn the significance of this wetland as a kai source directly from Peter Meihana as part of their professional development with Kurahaupo.

The Enviro Fri-Yay group has begun a campaign to approach council to officially change the name back to Manukau - watch this space!

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