Schools receiving Rena books 3 years after disaster

Tauranga authors Tommy "Kapai" Wilson and Debbie McCauley will be sending Tauranga schools free books for the anniversary of the Rena grounding. Photo / John Borren

Bay schools will be lucky recipients of a free package of Tauranga books ready for the third anniversary of the Rena grounding.

Next Sunday is the third anniversary of New Zealand's biggest maritime environmental disaster and Tauranga authors Tommy "Kapai" Wilson and Debbie McCauley are giving Bay schools a free package of children's picture books and posters in time for the anniversary.

In the package will be Mr Wilson's M is for Mauao and Ms McCauley's Motiti Blue and the Oil Spill: A Story from the Rena Disaster, as well as a specially-created educational poster with easy-to-understand information about the ship's grounding.

The poster was created by A2Z and Mauao Publishing and it includes facts about the disaster as well as a map showing where the Rena wrecked. Mr Wilson, a Bay of Plenty Times columnist, said he and Ms McCauley had sought funding for the project from the Rena Recovery Fund which funded community projects in the aftermath of the grounding.

The funds enabled the duo to send the free book package, worth $50, out to schools.

The books could be used for teachers to educate their students about the Rena grounding and clean up, and the maritime environment.

Mr Wilson said there would also be a competition for children to design a poster, with the winning entry getting a trip by boat to see the Rena site.

Ms McCauley said the package was targeted at primary and intermediate schools, although colleges were also welcome to take up the offer as well. A launch will be held at Tauranga Library at 3pm on October 5.