Te mana o te wai – the wellbeing of water is central to Rivers and Us, an initiative that helps students and educators explore water quality in their local community.
Rivers and Us – an introduction provides an overview of the programme.
Rivers and Us – a context for learning explores the science concepts and the key aspects of environmental education that underpin stream monitoring and action.
Both articles have links to supporting articles, media, interactives and student activities.
Rivers and Us was developed in partnership with Waikato Regional Council and the Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao.
Transcript
REVEREND HAKI WIRIHANA
Water is life. We are born from water and we all have a responsibility to look after our water, in our rivers, from Papatūānuku.
SANDRA McKINNON
Whether it comes from the sky, whether we’re pumping it around our farm, water‘s important. We need to be trustworthy with our uses of it.
ALICE TREVELYAN
Everyone wants to have clean water for their future generations.
DR ELOISE RYAN
Individuals have a responsibility and you can make good choices to help impact our water quality.
ANNE BARKER
So what can I do to make a difference in my backyard?
KERI THOMPSON
How do you teach people to reconnect and to be part of the whenua?
ALEX DANIEL
Environmental education is crucial.
ANNE BARKER
For kids to care about the environment, they’ve got to get to know it. Rivers and Us helps them to get to know it deeply. And it’s a fantastic tool that helps teachers get a real insight to how science works.
ALEX DANIEL
I would really recommend teachers get out there and do a stream study.
JESS
It’s a way to make our environment better and in 10 years, I can say, “I helped do this.”
ALEX DANIEL
As they get to know our natural spaces, they start to have a deeper understanding for their place and their connection with our environment.
ANNE BARKER
That builds them as individuals, it contributes to mana enhancement.
ALICE TREVELYAN
Every little thing that you can do is going to have a positive effect on restoring that waterway.
LYN ROGERS
The future is going to depend on us all taking action now.
REVEREND HAKI WIRIHANA
We are kaitiaki of the wai, the whenua, and Tangaroa.
Acknowledgements
Reverend Haki Wirihana
Ngāti Hauā Iwi Trust
Sandra and Rod McKinnon
Alice Trevelyan
Aroha Salu
Alicia Caitlin
Dr Eloise Ryan
Waikato Regional Council
Lynnette Rogers
The Fairfield Project
Anne Barker
Te Whai Toi Tangata Institute of Professional Learning, University of Waikato
Keri Thompson
Ngāti Hauā Mahi Trust
Alex Daniel
Jordan and Lucy, Fairfield Intermediate School
Hanna, Jess and Sam, Waikato Diocesan School for Girls
Jake and Sarah, Bankwood Primary School
Footage of teacher workshop, and planting out, The Fairfield Project
Footage of karakai near tī kōuka (cabbage) tree, Ākina Foundation
Additional Waikato River footage, Waikato Regional Council
Uplifted soundtrack by FoolBoyMedia, CC BY-NZ 3.0