Makauri students embrace GDC water challenge

Makauri School’s rooms 4 and 5 students with Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz, who presented them with $500 as the winners of Gisborne District Council’s Wero Tiaki Wai – Embrace the Challenge conserve water competition. Holding a water bottle is Mine’ Greeff. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

Makauri School Room 4 and 5 students have made their school a little wealthier and helped people take note of the city’s water crisis after their song won Gisborne District Council’s Wero Tiaki Wai — Embrace the Challenge conserve water competition.

The competition asked people and groups to send in video, text or images to make people aware of the importance of conserving water after Cyclone Gabrielle.

“Our team at Gisborne District Council absolutely loved all the entries we received — so many creative strategies,” a council statement said.

“As we know, Cyclone Gabrielle damaged the main water pipe to the city, putting us in a water crisis. We all needed to save as much water as possible and it has reminded us how important clean, drinkable water is.”

Mayor Rehette Stoltz presented the $500 first prize to rooms 4 and 5 at Makauri School, who performed  a water conservation song and put together a music video laden with superheroes.

“The Mayor was welcomed by the students and teachers with waiata and a live performance of their original song.

Gisborne Girls’ High School’s learnng support were runners-up. They received $250

“As we move out of all water restrictions in the next week we are reminded to keep conserving water. This has been a team effort and we could not have made it to this point without community participation.”