Stars, soil and whakapapa - 'We're just caretakers really'
rural farming about 1 hour ago
This Matariki, the stars align for Mark and Susannah Guscott - award winners bringing whakapapa and astronomy together on their sixth-generation Wairarapa farm.
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RNZ News
8 hours ago
- RNZ News
Stars, soil and whakapapa - 'We're just caretakers really'
rural farming about 1 hour ago This Matariki, the stars align for Mark and Susannah Guscott - award winners bringing whakapapa and astronomy together on their sixth-generation Wairarapa farm.
Scoop
20 hours ago
- Scoop
Rewards Await Whale Watchers
The prospects look good for a rewarding countrywide whale and dolphin count this Matariki weekend (running Friday 20-Sunday 22). Humpback and southern right whales are being reported already, traveling along the South Island's east coast over the last week, heading north on their great migration. That means sightings off the North Island are likely too, for keen whale watchers this weekend. The weekend's events are the sixth annual countrywide whale and dolphin count, which continues to gain momentum. More eyes on the sea and more whale and dolphin sightings make for an exciting event. Event organiser Christine Rose says 'It's easy and fun to take part. The countrywide whale and dolphin count gives people a reason to get out into nature and experience 'peak whale' as the big migrating species like humpbacks and southern right whales come close to shore on their way to their breeding grounds.' 'As well as contributing to the country's only nationwide whale and dolphin count, the event celebrates the annual return of these leviathans, and the year round presence of special ocean dwellers, some of whom, like Māui and Hector's dolphins, are only found here.' The countrywide whale and dolphin count is for everyone. All that's needed is to head to a beach or high point, in warm clothes, and stare out to sea, for a couple of hours. Whales and dolphins can be distinguished by anomalies on the water surface, including sun shining on their backs, their spouts, and often, tail slapping and leaps - special traits of humpback whales in particular. "For people venturing out to look for whales for the first time, we recommend taking a pair of binoculars if you have them - but no worries if not, because often whales and dolphins are easily spotted with the naked eye, says Mrs Rose. Having a family or team of spotters helps cover a wider area. Prepare for excitement, and a fun day out in the fresh air, whether you see them or not. By getting involved, people are taking part in a unique citizen science project that helps raise awareness and celebrates both the mighty and the small lives we share our beautiful ocean planet with. For more details see Whale and Dolphin Spotting New Zealand - Cetacean Spotting NZ, where the excitement is building with lots of humpback sightings reported in recent weeks, and guidelines about how to take part, as well as the sightings reporting form.
Scoop
21 hours ago
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More Tāmariki Māori To Learn In Safe, Warm & Dry Classrooms
Minister of Education The Government is enabling more tāmariki access to full immersion learning in safe, warm and dry classrooms. A $28 million investment will deliver 20 new classrooms across four Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education kura and the commencement of a permanent site for a kura north of Auckland – Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki. The announcement was made at Takaparawhau, Bastion Point, during Matariki Hautapu celebrations with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. 'This Matariki, I am proud to be celebrating the Māori New Year with investing in the future of our tāmariki so they have the spaces and support they need to flourish,' Education Minister Erica Stanford says. The new classrooms will be built at the following kura: 8 classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Whanui in Lower Hutt 6 classrooms at Te Wharekura o Arowhenua in Invercargill 4 classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hokianga in Kaikohe 2 classrooms at Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa in Hamilton The investment includes the first stage of a long-awaited new school for Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki in Kaiwaka. Once complete, it will have 19 classrooms and be designed to support future Wharekura expansion. Construction on these projects is expected to begin within the next 12 months, using modular building methods to accelerate delivery and ensure cost-efficiency. 'Safe, warm and dry learning environments are essential for effective teaching and learning. By using modular construction, we can deliver classrooms more quickly and make our investment go further.' This Government committed $50 million through Budget 2025 to deliver up to 50 classrooms for Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education for approximately 1,100 ākonga. This is part of a wider programme of investment in Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education. This includes: $10 million to launch a new Virtual Learning Network (VLN) for STEM education (Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics). $4.5 million to develop comprehensive new te reo matatini and STEM curriculum resources and teacher supports. $2.1 million to develop a new Māori Studies subject for Years 11–13. $14 million into training and support for up to 51,000 teachers/kaiako. $4.8 million to appoint seven new curriculum advisors for Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education. $4.1 million to support the sustainability and data capability of the Kōhanga Reo Network. $3.5 million to support WAI 3310 Waitangi Tribunal Education Services and Outcomes Kaupapa Inquiry. 'We remain committed to properly resourcing our bilingual education system and lifting achievement for Māori students. That includes ensuring our tāmariki have warm, safe and dry classrooms to thrive in,' Ms Stanford says.
