Two Year 10 students took part in Te Rauawa O Te Pahī Marine Science programme for Year 10 Māori students.

Over the six days we spent on the programme, we learnt so much, made lifelong friends and memories that we will keep forever. We learnt many things. These included dissecting sharks, surveying marine life from a University research boat and learning how to use different tools to identify things like the temperature and PH of water. We were put into three groups and each studied a different topic to do with the conservation of marine life. The three projects were a Micro and Macro plastic investigation, New Zealand Sea Lions and a study on Spiny Dogfish sharks. Each group made a PowerPoint and scientific poster and presented it to friends and family.

We stayed at Quarantine Island and Ōtākou Marae and we spent a lot of our time at the Portobello Marine Laboratory studying our project and learning about marine life. We also learnt about how to take care of and identify various species, while also developing skills in Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of our own oceans. 

I definitely think that this was a worthwhile program, a great step towards future career paths and an amazing opportunity to take up if you get the chance.

A massive thank you to The University of Otago, The Ministry of Education, The Portobello Marine Laboratory and Steve Cutler for this awesome opportunity. 

Last, but not least, ngā mihi ki Mrs Dodds for coming out and supporting us.

Te Anahera Weepers and Sam MacArthur