Annual Poor Knights Competition Trip
Marine kaitiaki guardians from Kaitaia to Otago rewarded with Poor Knights snorkel experience!
The annual EMR competition trip is made up of representative students from each school that that participates in the programme. We now offere the trip to all eight regions where EMR is operating, thanks to sponsorship from Dive! Tutukaka and the Bobby Stafford-Bush Foundation.
The trip started in 2002 with just three students from three Northland schools, a total of 274 schools and 408 students have now participated in this trip. The participation of EMR representative students from the regions is thanks to the Bobby Stafford-Bush Foundation (including flights, transfers, accommodation and charter for the parents).
Selection criteria - 2019 criteria
Students were selected based on their action projects undertaken and enthusiasm they show when studying & experiencing the marine environment. The EMR programme involves leaning about marine biodiversity in the classroom, snorkelling in the pool, and investigating the local marine environment before experiencing a marine reserve and taking action with regards to marine conservation in their communities. The national expansion of EMR in the regions is supported by the Tindall Foundation and the DOC Community Fund
“The standards of action projects that go beyond the school environment were superb. Students were involved in a variety of projects that address local marine issues such as presentations on marae, campaigning council and
writing letters to the editor” says programme director Samara Nicholas.
“This competition offers the students added incentive to produce projects and positive actions towards marine conservation within their community. It is not only a special opportunity for the students, but for their parents/guardians too, as they also get a chance to experience the magical Poor Knights, which is a new opportunity for all from the regions’’ says programme director Samara Nicholas
The Bobby Stafford-Bush – EMR Ocean Art prize - Read the criteria here
In addition to the opportunity to represent the school or region for the EMR ACTION prize, we introduced a new prize this year, the Bobby Stafford-Bush – EMR Ocean Art prize. The Bobby Stafford-Bush Foundation supports this special prize for young kiwis that have experienced the marine environment with EMR and display that passion and experience through art.
Marine kaitiaki guardians from Kaitaia to Otago rewarded with Poor Knights snorkel experience! 
In 2012, Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) was part od the inaugural Young Blake Expedition to the Kermadecs. With the aim of inspiring New Zealanders to understand the global significance of the Kermadec Islands and to encourage stewardship of the Kermadec Marine Reserve and the planet's oceans generally, The Sir Peter Blake Trust, together with EMR, the Ministry for the Environment, the Royal New Zealand Navy, Department of Conservation, Pew Environment Group, Air New Zealand and LEARNZ, achieved this goal and successfully followed in the footsteps of Sir Peter to mobilise and inspire the next generation of kiwi leaders, adventurers and environmentalists.
Experience the wonders of your local marine enviornment or marine reserve! The EMR programme organises Community Guided Snorkel Days around the country. We provide free hire for all the snorkel equipment and provide experienced snorkel guides to lead your discovery. Our national events for 2018 are now out! You can check them out on 
The purpose is to provide an inspirational professional development and networking opportunity for all those involved or interested in freshwater and marine conservation. Usually held in April, in Northland every second year and other parts of NZ every other year. Our theme changes each wananga. Our theme for 2019 was “He Wai Rangitira” defines or denotes the underlying ancestral, spiritual, strategic and economic significance of the water to us as a people and/or as a partnership with papatuanuku. 
Seaweek 2nd - 10th March 2019
Caring for the ocean begins on land – 2014
The world’s first human chain around the world’s first student-driven marine reserve was a success. 1005 Northland students, parents’ teachers and community members formed the chain around the landward boundary of the Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve at Reotahi (Motukaroro) on 16 September 2009.
