Te Wairoa River is located in South Auckland running along the base of the Hunua ranges and exiting out to sea by Duder's Regional Park. This river is Auckland's second largest river. The dams in this region in which Te Wairoa Reservoir is one, contribute to feeding 60% of Auckland's water supply. Basically, if this river is not running, you are not drinking.

Insert (left): Our Auckland - Action stations for Auckland's most improved river, 2017

This project involves the contribution of Year 7-8's from Papakura Intermediate who will actively participate in the restoration and monitoring of the river. The aim is to foster kaitiakitanga and the growth of science citizens who become inspired into STEAMM related subjects as a career. Here at Papakura Intermediate we foster STEAMM education with a double 'M' that includes the usual Science, Technology, Environmental/Engineering, Arts, Math AND incorporates Mātauranga Māori.

From Papakura Intermediate's Strategic Plan 2017-2019:

Papakura Intermediate is "Home to innovative learners and leaders".

"Papakura Intermediate specialises in teaching and transitioning youth through the most pivotal growth period of their lives."

Our school logo is a kahikatea and is pivotal to understanding our school culture- "Like our students who drive the future of our ancestors, families and societies, the leaf of the adolescent kahikatea is pivotal in drawing in the sun’s energy, converting it and effectively feeding and giving life to the whole tree. The juvenile kahikatea leaf top-centre of the logo, is safe-havened between home & school and past & future, as it stands tall to forge upwards and outwards into the world. The symbolism of 3 weaving into 1- this gives meaning to:

• Our school vision: Tū Rangatira - believe, strive, achieve

• Our school values: Rangatiratanga - to take pride in ourselves, Whanaungatanga - to take pride in our relationships with others and Kaitiakitanga - to take pride in our environment.

• Our people: family at home, whānau at school and self

• Our time: – past, present and future"

Here at Papakura Intermediate we want our students to make their mark in the world but not leave a mark.

Insert (left): Papakura Intermediate School website

The Kohukohunui Project is one of Painga Project's initiatives. Painga Project founder Sarah Corson invited Papakura Intermediate to work collaboratively on the project. Painga Project run a number of social wellbeing initiatives in the South Auckland community including kai bags and the Kohukohunui Project. The aim of Painga Project below is taken directly from the Painga Project website:

"Painga simply means ‘well-being’ and the Painga Project is focused on the well-being of primary and intermediate students in low decile South Auckland schools. The Painga Project works to enable a variety of life and learning opportunities through tailored art, music, social, health and sporting programmes within schools. Through these programmes students gain confidence and build pathways into secondary school and beyond."

Painga Project enable learner's to become mobile by providing two vans and another support person. This project would not of been possible without the support and initiative of Painga Project.

Insert (left): Painga Project Logo

The Kohukohunui Project is a Painga Project Initiative that is facilitated collaboratively with Papakura Intermediate. Bec KauKau is the Principal of Papakura Intermediate and Sarah Corson is the founder of Painga Project. It is through their invitation that Shanandore works on this project in 2020.

As a Master's student and Technology teacher with a Bachelor degree in Environmental Studies, Shanandore was invited to lead and facilitate the program within Papakura Intermediate. Shanandore uses her Master's project with Tech Futures Lab as a Case Study to see how emerging disruptive technologies might inform communities within their restoration efforts.

Saffron is a Graphic Designer employed by Painga Project to support the Kohukohunui Project. Shanandore and Saffron drive 16 kids at a time out to various sites along Te Wairoa River.

The Kohukohunui Project is three fold - Transforming:

• People

• Places &

• Information

This includes the use of restorative and mana enhancement activities that are intertwined with tikanga Māori and appreciative inquiry.

1. People - foster kaitiakitanga in Year 7-8's while inspiring them toward STEAMM related careers.

2. Places - restore 200m of river and monitor changes

3. Information - to transform the way in which the Health or State of a River Ecosystem is communicated to and for communities.

Insert (left): Papakura Intermediate School Logo

1. People - foster kaitiakitanga in Year 7-8's while inspiring them toward STEAMM related careers.

Papakura Intermediate students will co-operatively create the educational program which must:

• be online.

• be based on Outdoor Education

• include river monitoring and water education

Insert (left): Private collection - Shanandore Brown

2. Places - restore 200m of river and monitor changes

Initial restoration efforts in 2020 are mostly driven by Camp Adair, David Lockwood and Richard with the support of Painga Project, Lindsey, Lynette and Papakura Intermediate.

Painga Project co-ordinate the logistics while learners study native riparian zones and carry out the planting and monitoring.

Insert (left): Private collection - Shanandore Brown