Can’t stand the taste of our Christchurch water? Feel like you need to know more about Canterbury water quality? This was the exact position four Burnside students, Ruby Glasson, Sofia Tuliau-Walker, Mathilde Soederlund and Lucy Rae took in earlier in the term, when they attended the Untouched World Waterwise Program 2018.

This action packed week brought together secondary and tertiary students from throughout Canterbury, to develop knowledge around water quality, sustainability and leadership. It was a live - in week based at Ngāti Moki Marae, and focused on the water issues within the Te Waihora-Selwyn catchment zone.

One of the interesting things about the week was the opportunity to consider water quality and sustainability in the area through the eyes of different groups. We met local farmers, looked at the restoration work being done on their land - and did some planting on their land. We visited subdivisions in Halswell and Lincoln to learn about storm water design. We listened to community groups to hear about their vision for the lake and it’s restoration. We visited Lincoln University to hear about the different uses for water and how it is managed through consents and the Resources Management Act. We even got to do real water testing at Coe’s Ford with a surface water scientist!

Another fantastic part about the week was meeting and working alongside students from secondary schools and Ara, and developing our leadership skills together. Living on the marae, cooking together, playing cards, toasting marshmallows around a bonfire at the beach, reflecting on the days activities and discussing solutions to the world’s problems helped us become very close as a group.

It was an inspirational week and has challenged and broadened my views and perspectives on water related issues. I highly recommend it as an something to put yourself forward for in the future and would like to thank Jocelyn Papprill (ECan) for her energy and Untouched World and its other sponsors for organising such a rich week.

By Ruby Glasson