Educational resource with a purpose - Riparian Restoration
Programme Coordinators: Nicki Wakefield and Kim Boyle
He Kakano Tutors: Buc Cullen and Shane Nicholas
The He Kakano nursery project started in 2006 with support from the Whangarei District Council (WDC), with a goal of riparian restoration and propagation experience and ownership. Since then, TKKM o Te Rawhiti Roa and Tikipunga Primary School feel a great sense of ownership of the project and have raised approximately 10,000 various native seedlings to help riparian restoration projects. They have sourced funding from various source to keep the project going and purchase plants for their restoration site at the Waitaua River (Whangarei Falls). TKKM o Te Rawhiti Roa students produced a short bi-lingual film titled 'Tiakina o Tatou Awa' which was a winning film in 2007's 'Outlook for Someday' winning best Te Reo Maori film. It was played on Maori Television in June 2008 and was chosen to screen in Media that Matters, a showcase for films on important issues. 'Tiakina o Tatou Awa' can be viewed online at www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/035/.
TKKM o Te Rawhiti Roa and Tikipunga Primary School students have successfully learnt how to identify, eco-source, seed plant, propagate, pot on, prepare and plant native NZ riparian plants for stream restoration projects. There has been a raised self-esteem, pride and satisfaction from propagating & nurturing native plants for these projects. They have also gained an increased knowledge and appreciation of traditional uses of native plants and participated in instream workshops to deepen their understanding of freshwater ecology and the need for riparian planting.
Tikipunga Primary School and TKKM o Te Rawhiti Roa continue their strong involvement with He Kakano. Many schools from the wider Whangarei Area have become involved in He Kakano visiting the nursery, learning about native plants and to see community led riparian restoration in ACTION!