From Whenua to Moana with Ōpōtiki Library

On the 22nd of October 2026, SeaKeepers South Pacific Director Melissa White led a local ecosystem education activity with more than 50 primary students from Te Kura o Tōrere and St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Ōpōtiki. Held in partnership with Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi – Ōpōtiki District Library, the activity formed part of Play Week Ōpōtiki.

The activity explored the connection from whenua to awa to moana. Students discussed how healthy land and waterways support the ocean, how rubbish left on land can travel through creeks and rivers, and the role everyone can play as kaitiaki of their local environment.

The morning included an interactive marine animal identification game, followed by a team challenge covering marine life, ocean conservation and te reo Māori kupu connected to the environment. Students worked together to answer questions about marine species, plastic pollution and the importance of protecting local habitats.

The activity concluded with a clean-up at the nearby skate park, where a creek runs through the area. This gave students the opportunity to put what they had learned into practice and see how actions taken on land can directly affect local waterways and, eventually, the ocean.

Together, the students collected seven kilograms of rubbish. The clean-up reinforced the central message of the day: protecting the moana begins with caring for the whenua and awa within our own communities.

SeaKeepers South Pacific was grateful to work alongside the Ōpōtiki Library, participating schools and local community to create a fun and practical learning experience during Play Week 2026.