Young role models growing in our midst

Last month, in my capacity as your Te Hiku Northland Regional councillor, I had the great pleasure of travelling to both the Ngataki and Te Hapua schools to make Enviroschools Bronze award presentations. I have to say that this special day is to date one of the highlights of my term on the council.

Before elaborating on the day I would like to give you a quick summary of what the Enviroschools kaupapa is all about.

In a nutshell it is about creating a healthy, peaceful and sustainable world through learning and taking action together in a learning cycle, encouraging a student-directed process of exploration, decisionmaking, action and reflection. For example, the students at Ngataki focused on local issues such as plastic pollution and citizen science. They developed vegetable gardens and orchards, as well as focusing on the process by which new plants grow from a variety of sources: seeds, cuttings and other plant parts, commonly known as propagation. They also planted pingao around their school and local beaches.

Another part of their journey was to work with local iwi and Nga¯ ti Kur¯ı to undertake biological surveys of their whenua (land), and finally carried out learning to increase their knowledge of cultural world views, traditions and values.

I must say I was very impressed with these young Ngataki students’ commitment and dedication to the programme. They are great role models and future leaders within their communities.

The students of New Zealand’s most northern school, Te Hapua, worked very hard in planning and establishing a community garden. They also studied ecological systems, species and habitats, and in particular about taonga species of Te Tai Tokerau. Finally, the programme encouraged community involvement in student learning and support. One of their highlights was learning about and being part of a hangi preparation within the village.

Again I was very impressed with the students, whose welcome and manners were second to none.

The next steps for these Far North schools on their Enviroschools journeys is to progress from their present Bronze status to Silver, and I have no doubt this will be achieved over the next year or so. To the staff, and the children, of these schools, I thank you for making me so very welcome. You are truly a great bunch, and I must reiterate that you, as young role models, have a great future within our society.

■ This is not a council release but is the view of councillor Colin (Toss) Kitchen.