Letter to the Editor, Thursday May 14, 2015

Seed sown

There are so many negatives portrayed in our communities, I thought I would highlight a recent positive event for Ngapuhi.

On May 9, a class of 11 adult students studying with Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi on the customary fishing programme participated in what they termed a "special event". A seed planted by their kaiako to explore what research and protection models are available that focus on sustainability of resources (fish species in particular) sparked their interest to investigate.

After planning for two months, getting all the required consents from the wananga and agreements from the institutes they were to visit, the day finally arrived.

With a 6am start, the class headed for Mahurangi Technical Institute in Warkworth. The visit was hosted by Paul Decker, director, and Jeremy Gardiner, CEO NZ Premium Whitebait Ltd (100 per cent Maori-owned). The students were shown a range of research techniques, fish species and projects being undertaken by the institute, concluding with a conducted tour through the facility. Question and answer time took us over our allocated time slot of two hours, but was definitely appreciated, and we valued the openness and frankness of the information that was shared.

We also had the pleasure of Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi representatives head of school Tu Waaka, School of Iwi Development, and Kiri Nuku, administration manager, School of Iwi Development, attend this part of our trip, which highlights the importance of collaboration and networking within the educational service provider sector.

We then departed for a quick lunch in the beautiful township of Warkworth, by the riverside, before heading up to the Discovery Centre at Goat Island. This is definitely a place to visit. The specimens and information displayed, along with the very knowledgeable staff, made this a very interesting, worthwhile 'must see' place.

The centre hosts many overseas students who come and conduct a variety of surveys of fish species from in and around the Leigh Marine Reserve. A real eye-opener was the advancement in technology for the monitoring and collection of data.

We then headed down to the Leigh Marine Reserve to meet up with our snorkelling supervisors, Harriet and Kent, something the students had been looking forward to all day. After health and safety checks, and completion of forms, they suited up and hit the water. When they finally exited the water each student had a story to tell about what they saw.

For me as a kaiako, I see the real value in the customary fishing and fresh water management programmes that Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi deliver free to our people.

This trip would not have happened was it not for the students themselves fundraising for the event. A sponsorship application to Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngapuhi was declined because it was an 'educational trip' and not a 'special event', which was a disappointment. Isn't education a special event in itself?

It is an honour and a privilege to plant the seed and watch it grow, and I hope I am around to see it blossom. Thanks to all who made our day a 'special event'.

VIOLET WALKER

Kaiako, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi

Kaeo