Island setting for green' lesson

A Waiariki Institute of Technology student has launched Rotorua's first Environmental Leadership Seminar to teach intermediate students about being green.
Ten local intermediate students from Kaitao Intermediate, Rotorua Primary, Mokoia Intermediate, John Paul College and Rotorua Intermediate spent a day on Mokoia Island for the inaugural seminar.
They listened to a presentation by the Department of Conservation on the conservation efforts of the island, viewed native birds, were taught the historical and cultural significance of the island, were guided on a walk around the island and went for a swim.
Project manager Tania Tapsell, who is completing a Diploma in Marketing at Waiariki, came up with the idea for the seminar last year when she was in Taiwan for the New Zealand, Australian and South East Asian Young Leaders Conference.
In conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Environment Bay of Plenty, Miss Tapsell organised the event with her sister Ngatai Bennett and hoped to make it an annual event.
"While I was in Taiwan, I realised just how lucky I was to live in a beautiful place like Rotorua.
"I thought of how many youth would not have had the chance to go to Mokoia Island as such an iconic part of Rotorua with its native flora and fauna, so I decided to give young leaders the opportunity to go over there."
Miss Tapsell said the kids loved the day and learnt a lot gaining knowledge and appreciation for the environment that a lot of locals didn't even know.
"I think it has built a great foundation of environmental appreciation for the rest of their lives."
Mokoia Intermediate pupil Rose Pickernell said she had a ton of fun climbing to the top of the island with Rawiri Broughton from Wai Ora showing the way and pointing out the friendly native birds.
"We learnt about possum traps and how they work, how to clean boats and how to keep the environment safe."
Rotorua Primary School student Kiri Kora said she had learnt about enviro toilets and also how birds on Mokoia Island were tagged and kept track of.