In 2020 Whitebait Connection Programme Coordinator Rosie worked with Kaitaia Intermediate for programme delivery. Their programme include field trips to the Awanui River and Lake Ngatu for freshwater investigations.
The students freshwater investigation started with testing the health of the Awanui River. At the top of the Awanui catchment, the Victoria and Takahue rivers form the headwaters of the Awanui River in the Mangamuka Ranges. The upper reaches of these rivers are surrounded by native forest while the lower reaches of Awanui River flow through farmland and urban areas before flowing out into Rangaunu Harbour.
As a comparison site, the students tested the health of Lake Ngatu. This dune lake is also in the Awanui Catchment and has started to be restored through native tree plantings around the lake as well as limiting human activity in the lake. (No washing cars or using motorised boats in the lake).
