Blake NZ VR Experience

If we can't take every child to the ocean, let's bring the ocean to every child.

Today, Annika from BLAKE NZ visited our school to share the wonder of the ocean with us. Through virtual reality, our students experienced the rich biodiversity that exists below the surface of the Hauraki Gulf, as well as the damage that's been done to the ecosystem. They came away with actions they can take to protect the environment and gained a much deeper sense of kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the sea).

Our students experienced a number of underwater virtual reality experiences through 360˚ videos in a VR headset, that compare and contrast pristine marine environments and degraded ones, learning about what caused them, and finding out what actions can be taken to protect the marine environment.

The children were blown away by the videos which turned them into divers and set them among some of the most breathtaking underwater habitats from around the north of the North Island. They got to see first-hand what happens when people impact the ocean and what happens when the balance of the ocean is disrupted by overfishing and pollution.

What an incredible experience we had!