In March the Kāhui team met with Hayley the Network Manager from the Avon Ōtākaro Network in order to register our strong interest in ākonga /tamariki led projects on some of the Red Zone land.

Having some land could enable us to live out our vision to develop invested, inspired, enthusiastic, empowered students and staff who appreciate and love their place in the centre of Ōtautahi, where everyone participates in authentic learning which contributes to the wider community and encourages sustainability for the future. Ao Tawhiti and Christchurch East already have a specific focus on communities working collaboratively to contribute to our inner city environment and surrounding areas and the Kāhui are keen to expand this through responsible action as kaitiaki.

Christchurch East School have been working with their students on giving back to their community and looking for opportunities to work locally and support the local region. They have a class currently working with the Avon-Ōtākaro Network and CCC on a red zone site. This is an exciting initiative driven by the children from Christchurch East.

Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery have a group of students who have been working on the idea of capturing the stories from the diverse people who have occupied or had an interest in the Avon Loop, an amazingly vibrant area of Christchurch. The students would like to work with current and past residents to record their stories and memories, as well as Ngāi Tūāhuriri - Mana Whenua to learn about and foreground the cultural narrative of this area.

The kāhui ako, as a collective of schools and ECEs, wish to take on a kaitiaki role in the Avon Loop by protecting and looking after the environment in this area. We are keen to work with all the stakeholders connected to this area of Christchurch, including current and past residents, Mana Whenua, heritage groups and community groups. We are excited about the work that could be done looking after and improving the land, as well as recording its history.