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 235 schools and 376 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).
2016 clip
Selection 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
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The Bobby Stafford-Bush – EMR Ocean Art prize - Read the crieteria 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.
