Rangatahi innovate for the future of te taiao
Future environmental leaders were put to the test at the recent Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair, where rangatahi from across the region showcased innovative projects addressing some of the biggest challenges facing te taiao (the environment).
With five different categories to compete in – biosecurity, biodiversity and conservation, water quality, mātauranga Māori and sustainability – the fair invited students to explore real-world environmental issues and present solutions grounded in mātauranga Māori (traditional knowledge). Their work offered unique perspectives on how we can protect and restore the natural world.
Pāpāmoa Primary School took home the Bay of Plenty Regional Council-sponsored Te Mana o Te Wai Enhancement Award for their thoughtful and practical project, inspired by concerns about the health of their local Wairākei Stream.
Their idea for a project was sparked by a school visit last year to the Wairākei Stream, where they carried out water quality and tuna (eel) monitoring. Worried about the impacts of pollution on the stream and its aquatic life, they designed an experiment to test whether natural fibres from wetland plants could be used to absorb oil in the water.
They trialled four types of natural materials:
- Oioi (jointed wire rush)
- Raupō stalks
- Raupō seeds
- Muka from harakeke (flax)
Their results showed that raupō seeds were the most effective at soaking up oil, offering a promising and environmentally friendly solution for protecting waterways.
Regional Council Team Leader – Land Management, Scott Kusabs, was one of the judges. He praised Papamoa Primary School for their use of natural wetland materials to address a real-world issue like oil spills.
“It’s inspiring to see our future kaitiaki thinking creatively and taking action to protect their local stream”, says Mr Kusabs.
Pictured: Scott Kusabs with the Papamoa Primary School Wairākei Warriors
The event, organised by Te Arawa Lakes Trust, is now in its fourth year and is a celebration of mātauranga Māori, science, and the bright future of environmental kaitiakitanga (guardianship) in Aotearoa.