It was a promising, overcast day with not a drop of rain in sight as we arrived at Te Ara Awataha to set up for a special school engagement day hosted by Kāinga Ora, with support from Eke Panuku. Kaipātiki Project was excited to be part of the morning, helping tamariki from Onepoto Primary School connect with the natural world along the Northcote greenway that backs onto their school.
Excitement was in the air as groups of tamariki made their way to a bridge that hugs the Awataha Stream. Sitting cross legged, they were welcomed to the space and briefed for the morning ahead. With four activity stations set up along the greenway, students were split into groups and rotated through each one, spending 15 minutes exploring and learning before moving on. It flowed smoothly, just as the final station wrapped up, it was time for a well earned BBQ lunch sizzling away nearby.
Kaipātiki Project delivered a Wai (Water) Care Station, where the wonders of the stream were front and centre. Maria Valkova our Restoration Coordinator and Community Activator Karla Macdonald guided tamariki through water clarity testing, macroinvertebrate discovery and birds. It didn’t take much to get them hooked, the excitement was infectious! They loved anything they could hold, squint at or examine up close.
Many of the tamariki noticed the presence of rubbish in the stream and voiced their concern, a warming moment that showed how naturally they care for te taiao. The interactive learning and hands on experiences sparked countless questions and conversations that flowed naturally.
Big thanks to Kāinga Ora for organising the event and to Eke Panuku and all involved for their support. The morning was a beautiful reminder of what’s possible when we nurture curiosity, promote ecological learning and plant seeds of kaitiakitanga in our youngest citizens, our tamariki.