Classes moved to the river last week (15-17 Nov) as over 220 students, teachers and supporters gathered in three Southland river catchments as part of a three day Enviroschools Hui, dubbed Water of Life.

Enviroschools Regional Coordinator Josh Sullivan says it was important to highlight how Southland’s water is central to our economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being. 

“Young people have an active part to play in sustainably managing and improving our freshwater.” 

Students learning about microinvertebrates from Environment Southland's Jane Tagomoa and Nicola Bulling at Otautau. Photo: Environment Southland

This is the first time the Enviroschools Hui has catered to different catchments over multiple days, he said.

Sullivan said he was pleased with the enthusiasm and curiosity displayed by the students.

“We hosted students from Mataura, Oreti, Aparima and Waiau river catchments and the feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. This hui is an excellent opportunity to support the enviro-leaders of tomorrow and to foster a deeper connection between schools, agencies, and communities with their nearby waterways.”

A student from Waikoikoi School getting a close up view of a kōura freshwater crayfish. Photo: Environment Southland

Activities included knowing what is going on in the student’s catchment area and how various activities can change the water quality, understanding what microplastics are and why they are a problem and exploring the many and varied types of life in the catchment’s streams and rivers and learning what their presence or absence can tell us about water quality. 

The event was supported by Enviroschools partners Thriving Southland, Hokonui Rūnanga and Te Pūkenga.