Kaitiakitanga in Action at Our School 🌿
Over Weeks 5 and 6, our akonga were fortunate to work alongside local environmental education officer Richard Carr, who supported learning across the school through hands-on, outdoor, and classroom-based workshops connected to our term focus: Kaitiakitanga.
Richard worked with all year levels, helping tamariki explore what it means to be guardians of our environment through real-life investigations and practical conservation activities.
Exploring Our Awa – Years 1/2 and 5/6
Our younger and middle syndicates visited the Mangati awa where they became river scientists for the day. Tamariki examined invertebrates living in the water, tested water clarity and recorded temperatures.
Bryn from Year 5 shared:
“Our class went for a walk to Mangati stream with Richard Carr. He talked to us about water quality and showed us how to test the water. There was a tube and a magnet you rolled across it to show how murky the water was. We also used magnifying glasses to look at shrimp and snails, and there was even an eel in the bucket. We checked the temperature too and learnt that different fish need different water conditions to survive.”
Conservation and Trapping – Years 3/4
Our Year 3/4 learners focused on pest control and trapping as part of the wider Pest Free Taranaki initiative. Richard introduced tamariki to common pests and explained their impact on native wildlife.
Macy from Year 4 shared:
“Richard Carr showed us pests like rats, mice, stoats, weasels and possums. He taught us what they eat and why they are pests. Then we went outside and looked at traps and tracking tunnels with peanut butter in them. We even saw footprints near Room 8. There is a trap there now to help catch pests. The whole class listened and enjoyed it.”
Coastal and Marine Conservation – Years 7/8
Our senior students explored coastal and marine conservation, including fish sustainability and measuring techniques used by real-world fisheries.
Carlos from Year 8 shared:
“We learnt lots about fishing and undersized fish. Richard showed us how to measure fish and when to throw them back. It was really cool and interesting. We used measuring tapes to check fish sizes.”
A Powerful Learning Experience
Across the school, tamariki deepened their understanding of our environment, local ecosystems, and the importance of protecting them. Richard’s expertise helped bring our Kaitiakitanga kaupapa to life in meaningful and memorable ways—not just for the children, but for staff as well.
We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside Richard Carr and to explore the natural world right on our doorstep.
Check out the photos we collected during Richards visits here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ht8bFiZme8GNYseg6
Ngā mihi nui to Richard for inspiring our next generation of kaitiaki!
