Encouraging curiosity
Create opportunities for students to become curious about repo (wetlands). New Zealand has lost around 90% of its wetlands so students may not be aware of their existence, their importance as ecosystems and their importance as taonga to Māori.
The National Wetland Trust of New Zealand has a list of wetland trails open to the public. There are lots of smaller wetlands on public lands – contact your local council for more information. It is also worthwhile asking the local community about wetlands on private properties or farms. Under policies such as the Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord, wetlands on farms are being fenced, protected and restored. Stream and rivercare groups may also know of local wetlands and restorations programmes.
is an online handbook for wetland restoration. A strong feature of the handbook is the knowledge that can be gained from whānau, hapū and iwi about the history of local repo and associated mātauranga Māori.
Resources
Wetlands – article
Wetland restoration – article
Cultural indicators for repo – article
Ruru and repo restoration – article
Monitoring kōura – article
Wetland plants – article
Wetland animals – article
Wetland (repo) connections – ecological and cultural perspectives – activity
Water quality – factors and issues – article
Our use of water – impacts on water quality – interactive
Land use – impacts on waterways – interactive
Questions to consider
Are there wetlands in our local area?
Were there once wetlands in our local area?
How can we find out what plants and animals might have been here before land use changed the landscape?
Why are wetlands important as habitats?
Why are wetlands important for people?
What are the issues affecting wetlands?
How do these issues affect plant and animal species?
How do these issues affect humans?
What do we already know about these issues?
What is our vision for the future of our repo?
Culturally significant plants in a wetland, © Monica Peters. Sourced from
