Kia ora koutou
He mihi o te tau hou. 春节快乐 Happy New Year! We hope you've had a great start to Term 1.
In this issue of Pitopito Kōrero, we are highlighting our beautiful and unique marine environment. New Zealand has a rich diversity of marine habitats, with over 15,000 known species. Scientists estimate there may be as many as 65,000 marine species in New Zealand waters. Many of these species are not found anywhere else in the world!
See if you can make some time to connect with and take action for our oceans during New Zealand's annual national awareness week for the sea - Seaweek – Kaupapa Moana.
This year the event will be taking place from Saturday 2nd to Sunday 10th March and follows the theme “Tiakina o Tātou Mōana – Care for our Seas”.
In this issue you will find:
Conservation education resources which support learning about, in and for our marine environments.
Extra goodies to take part in Seaweek - don't miss the free poster giveaway.
- Whio Awareness Month information
- How to take part in the DOC Digital Survey - we need your input!
Ngā manaakitanga,
DOC Outreach and Education team
Seaweek- New Zealand's annual national week about the sea
2nd - 10th March 2019
Seaweek focuses on learning in the sea, about the sea and taking action for the sea. It’s about exciting and inspiring all New Zealanders to develop connections with our beautiful marine world! It’s a time for all of us to get to know our ocean, its habitats, characteristics and inhabitants better.
Seaweek- Ideas for the classroom!
Protecting our Marine World
Protecting our Marine World is an integrated curriculum teaching resource with the New Zealand marine world as a real-life context for learning.
The resource links to the New Zealand Curriculum at levels 1-4, but can be adapted for use at various levels.
Download FREE from the DOC website and get stuck into learning about the marine world this term!
Marine Reserves LEARNZ Virtual Field Trip
When: 19 to 21 February 2019.
DOC and Air New Zealand are working alongside LEARNZ to run a Marine Reserves virtual field trip during the lead-up to Seaweek. It will show you first-hand how 25 years of protection have allowed the undersea world to flourish.
Explore biodiversity above and beneath the waves, including native and endemic species. Learn about spin-off activities like tourism, fishing and diving, and how they are managed sustainably. Go out on a boat and take some great photos and videos underwater. Get to know rangers and scientists who work to help keep the marine reserve full of life.
Marine Metre Squared
Marine Metre Squared is an easy way for anyone to survey the plants and animals living on their local seashore.
The NZ Marine Studies Centre, University of Otago, is encouraging everyone to participate in long term monitoring of their marine environment. Anyone can take part – individuals, families, schools and community groups and it can be used on different types of shorelines - sandy, rocky and muddy! Take a moment to join the Marine Meter Squared project – it's easy and free.
Protecting our Estuaries
This *BRAND NEW* DOC education resource will be available for preview from Seaweek 2019 so you can get started planning an inquiry around your local estuary!
Protecting Our Estuaries education resource is an integrated curriculum teaching resource with New Zealand’s estuaries as a real-life context for learning. It is based on the New Zealand Curriculum for primary schools at levels 1-4 (years 1–8) but can be adapted for use at various levels.
For more information on how to download and use this upcoming education resource check out the DOC education webpage.
Hosted by DOC Threatened Species Ambassador Nic Toki, the Sound of Science podcast is a behind the scenes look at how DOC cares for New Zealand's unique native species and natural environment.
Episode one - Marine species expert Hannah Hendriks talks whale strandings, post-mortems and crucial data.
Here are some more goodies for Seaweek...
Science Learning Hub has published 4 new teaching resources based on Sustainable Seas research
GET A FREE COPY OF THIS POSTER!
Email conserved@doc.govt.nz
These seabird factsheets for levels 2 - 4 are a great way for students to explore the lives of seabirds
Check out the variety of Seabird activities and resources on the DOC education page
The 'Explore The Gulf' poster series is usable anywhere in New Zealand and includes an augmented reality app
Mudflat Mysteries Educational Activity Book from Mm2 in both te reo Māori & English - register for more info
The World of Whales education kit raises awareness about whales and their environment
Get into a marine reserve near you this Seaweek with Experiencing Marine Reserves
Become a Guardian of the Ocean and make a difference by taking action with this list from Blue The Film
Seafood New Zealand has created a series of fact sheets about fish in our oceans
Become a Water Champion with the Toyota Kiwi Guardians 'Toa Tiaki Wai' action medal
Young Ocean Explorers provide activities to connect hearts and minds with helping our oceans
WHIO AWARENESS MONTH
MARCH 2019
The Whio Forever team are planning an exciting school’s competition for Whio Awareness Month.
Keep an eye on the Whio Forever Website for more information coming soon!
The whio (blue duck) is rarer than the kiwi with only 3,000 birds left. Although it is on the $10 bill very few New Zealanders know much about this iconic New Zealand bird. Together with Genesis, our whio partner, DOC have developed the Whio Forever Education Resource - an integrated curriculum teaching resource with whio as the real-life context for learning.
Based on and inquiry learning process and covering multiple learning areas of the New Zealand curriculum, the Junior (Years 1-4) and Senior (Years 5-8) resources contain teaching and learning material to support a unit of work based on whio. The resource is grounded in Environmental Education for Sustainability (EEfS) themes and incorporates aspects of Te Ao Maori.
Got digital ideas? Take our Survey
As part of the Department of Conservation continuing to support New Zealand teachers, we are conducting a survey to find out what support, tools and ideas teachers are looking for when using nature as the context for teaching the new TKI digital technology objectives.
We would love your support by completing this survey which should take between 6 and 8 minutes. It would be great if you could send this link on to others too!
By completing the survey you will go into a prize draw to win one of five DOC education packs. These include, posters, ID guide books, hut passes and more!
Got Any Feedback?
Help us improve this e-newsletter by telling us what interests you! Email us your feedback and ideas
Snorkelling at the Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve by Jamie Quirk
Want to access the full range of DOC education resources?
Want to further connect with DOC? Pond keeps you up-to-date with the latest conservation education resources.
