On Wednesday, 19 March, the Les Batkin Reserve in Tuakau was a hub of environmental learning as tamariki from across the Waikato region gathered to learn and celebrate World Freshwater Day. The Waikato Freshwater Guardians Event brought together students, teachers, and experts dedicated to the restoration and protection of Aotearoa’s freshwater ecosystems.
The event featured interactive workshops led by Waikato Regional Council, Go Eco, the Department of Conservation, Hamilton City Council (smart water), EnviroSchools, Mountains to Sea and Tāngaro Tuia te Ora, the Endangered Species Foundation. Each session focused on different aspects of freshwater conservation, from managing invasive koi carp populations to learning about native fish passages and identifying pest plants.
The Awhi Awa | Embrace a Stream workshop, facilitated by Tāngaro Tuia te Ora, the Endangered Species Foundation was lead by General Manager, Natalie Jessup. As a result, five different Waikato schools have now embraced the initiative.
The Awhi Awa project encourages schools to “embrace a stream” by restoring waterways and raising awareness about the plight of native freshwater species. Alarmingly, 76 percent of native freshwater fish species are either threatened or at risk of extinction, including mudfish, whitebait species, and longfin eels.
Each participating school received an Awhi Awa Kete, a resource kit containing educational materials, signage for endangered fish species, and practical tools to support stream restoration. The kete also includes a subscription to ongoing updates and online resources about endangered species and the health of waterways.
Tamariki took an active role in planning their own water protection efforts and selecting waterways at their schools to restore. They identified key actions, people to involve, and resources needed to bring their plans to life.
“It was incredible to see the passion and commitment of the tamariki,” says Natalie. “They weren’t just learning about freshwater conservation — they made concrete plans to take action. Seeing them map out their Awhi Awa projects and thinking about how to involve their entire kura was very positive and inspiring.”
The Waikato Freshwater Guardians Event underscores the importance of empowering young people to become actively involved with the restoration efforts for their environment. With their new knowledge and resources, these students are poised to make a tangible difference in the protection of Aotearoa’s precious freshwater ecosystems.
Purchase a Pack!
If you would like to purchase an Awhi Awa | Embrace a Stream pack and take care of a waterway near you please click on the button below.