Room 4 students at Te Anau School have been busy this week helping to keep the sea rubbish free by picking up litter from around the town.

The students went to their local park on Wednesday (November 18) to pick up rubbish and learn about how littering can affect the oceans.

Teacher Debbie Taylor said the kids found all sorts of things, from cans to clothing, to bits of plastic, various bottles and paper items.

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The clean-up day was part on a nation-wide programme created by Nestlé New Zealand and not-for-profit organisation Sea Cleaners.

Te Anau School, which is also an enviro-school, was one of nine Southland schools signed up to the programme. 

Each participating school received free clean-up kits made from 100% reusable and recyclable materials, including paper collection bags, cotton gloves, and guides to help students correctly sort and categorise the rubbish. 

Clean up kits were distributed to nine Southland schools. PHOTO: Supplied

Mrs Taylor said the kids had a great time on the cleanup, but were blown away by what they found, having only just cleaned up that same park a month ago. 

“They were quite shocked about how much rubbish was being left behind,” she said. 

“The children now know what happens to the rubbish and how it ends up from here right into the sea.

“And they’ve actually learnt that in [around] 2050 there’s going to be more plastic in the ocean than fish.”

“It’s just getting the children really aware, and hopefully we can make that change in the next generation,” she said.

Despite the urgency of the situation, Ms Taylor said the kids still felt optimistic about the future of the planet and were being very proactive when it came to caring for it. 

“Even yesterday we walked back from [Fiordland] College and a couple of them just saw some rubbish and instantly picked it up. Didn’t say anything they just picked up and when we got back, I saw them put it in the bin.”

It’s sight like this that warms Ms Taylor’s heart and affirms to her that she’s teaching kids the right thing. 

“I try and be a role model… if they can see you [picking up rubbish] then hopefully, they will too.”

The class regularly does cleanups around the school as well as the clean ups organised through Sea Cleaners.

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Sea Cleaners chief executive officer Hayden Smith said motivating the next generation into conservation action was engaging and educating young people on an important issue.

“This will allow us to collectively work to preserve New Zealand’s waterways for the benefit of the marine life and enjoyment of all users – for generations to come,” he said.

Other Southland schools on the programme this term were East Gore School, Fernworth Primary School, St Patrick's School, Limehills School, Winton School, Thornbury School, Tokanui School and Hauroko Valley Primary School.