Acclaim for world-leading reserves

Thousands of Northlanders already know how Whangarei schoolchildren campaigned for 14 years for a marine reserve in their backyard - now millions of people worldwide are learning about the Whangarei Harbour project.
The two-part, 237-hectare Whangarei Harbour marine reserve - opened last October - features in the April edition of National Geographic magazine, which has a worldwide circulation of more than six million. In an edition focusing on the rape of the world's oceans, the good-news tale of keen Kiwis battling for marine protection also profiles reserves at the Poor Knights Islands and Goat Island, near Leigh.
Northlanders quoted include conservationist Wade Doak, Goat Island campaigner Bill Ballantine, ex-Kamo High School geography teacher Warren Farrelly, and former Kamo pupil-turned-director of Experiencing Marine Reserves Samara Nicholas.
Mrs Nicholas said the article was "big time" for Whangarei and Northland. "It's really showing the world what we have here."
The National Geographic reporter had joined her on a guided snorkel day at Reotahi a year ago, before getting the full rundown on the project. Mrs Nicholas said her interest in marine education and protection was sparked in seventh form at Kamo High in 1998. Under geography teacher Mr Farrelly, who retired in 2004, students pushed for the reserve for 14 years.
Mrs Nicholas said much credit for the reserve should go to Mr Farrelly, and geography, science, media and art students who helped to make it a reality since 1990.
Meanwhile, Mr Doak is thrilled the story captured the attention of the world's highest-profile nature magazine. He gives the Kamo High students and the ``remarkable'' Mr Farrelly a firm pat on the back, but says Northlanders can't be complacent. There was still a paucity of virginal coastline for tomorrow's scientists to study, he said.
"If kids could be given a bit more empowerment, they might shift things along a bit faster than their elders."
The Reotahi section of the Whangarei Harbour reserve was a rich seascape even before becoming off-limits to fishing - in fact, it's one of the best dives Mr Doak's ever done - and he's excited about how the marine life will recover.
Current Kamo High pupil Josh Abel would not have taken much notice of the marine reserve if he hadn't become involved at school.
"It's awesome seeing what Kamo has done, it's encouraging," he said. "It's cool seeing all the fish and learning more about them."
Josh is a member of the Kamo High marine reserves support group, set up when the harbour reserve was established.
Kamo High principal Bernie Taffs said the birth of the reserve was a perfect example of education in action. "It's a really good example of a teacher like Warren with a passion, enthusing children for 16 years," he said.
Department of Conservation marine reserves ranger Alan Fleming said the National Geographic article was great recognition for the reserves and the people behind their creation. "Particularly Bill, Wade and Samara. Especially the fact that it was first created by students."
He said Goat Island led the way toward creating more marine reserves in New Zealand. Last Thursday, the 33rd New Zealand marine reserve was created at Tapuae in New Plymouth.
ON THE WEB: The National Geographic article is at www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0704/feature2/