Envirogroup trip to Tiri tiri Matangi Island

Envirogroup set out on Friday 23 August for Tiri tiri Matangi Island. It was an incredibly beautiful and unseasonably warm winter’s day and the whole group were very excited to be boarding the ferry from Viaduct Harbour.

We visit Tiri tiri Matangi Island to show the students how conservation can actually work. Seeing all the native plant planting, predator trapping and protection of the environment we do in school and around our community in full action, and to envisage what we hope with hard work New Zealand will look like and sound like in the future.

The students had an incredibly informative talk about conservation and the many wonderful native species that have made the island their home, from the amazing guides, including Mrs Cooper, whilst being taken around the island. It always surprises me how I learn a few new things every time we go to the island and see more species. The students were full of questions and their brains were working very fast.

In the afternoon they learned about tagging birds, trapping and used binoculars to see seals and dolphins. After another walk we said our 'thank yous' and sang a Waiata to the Island, and then off home after an unforgettably enjoyable and hopeful day.