• Plenty on offer when Seaweek begins this weekend

Plenty on offer when Seaweek begins this weekend

Walks and talks, a scavenger hunt and beach clean ups are part of Seaweek 2019, which begins on Saturday.

Hosted by the NZ Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE), Seaweek is about inspiring all New Zealanders to renew their connections with the oceans.

For 2019 the theme is Tiakina o Tātou Mōana – Care for our Seas.

The National Aquarium of New Zealand, in Napier, is a recognised official supporter of the nationwide event.

There are several new events this year, including a scavenger hunt through the Napier CBD, a guided walk at Waitangi Regional Park, and a rocky shore exploration session at Hardinge Road, Ahuriri, with Sally Carson from the Otago Marine Studies Centre.

Back by popular demand are events such as the tours taking in the sights of the Seawalls murals, a collaborative effort by artist and PangeaSeed Foundation NZ Coordinator Cinzah Merkens, and Regional Seaweek Coordinator Jake Brookie, who is also an educator at the National Aquarium.

The Royal Society Seaweek Lecture, by Cawthorn Institute researcher Heni Unwin, is about a topic which has been very much on many people’s minds lately – tracking plastic movement around New Zealand’s waters. International artist George Nuku also returns to MTG Hawke’s Bay to host two floor talks with Curator of Art Jess Mio, including one catering for the deaf community, talking about the effect of plastics in our oceans.

There are also a number of community groups which have heeded NZAEE’s call to ‘Adopt a Coastline’ for a beach clean.

If you are going on an outdoor adventure for Seaweek, don’t forget a sunhat, sunscreen, suitable shoes and water.

Hawke’s Bay Seaweek 2019 events include:

  • Beach Clean Up & BBQ, 9am to 12 noon Saturday 2 March, Waitangi Regional Park. Join in & help keep our park clean & tidy. Meet by the Celestial Compass. For any queries please email sally.chandler@hbrc.govt.nz or go to ‘events’ on the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) Facebook page.
  • Creative Arts Napier (CAN) Driftwood Art Competition. Get creative and make many weird and wonderful creations from driftwood, to be displayed at CAN, Byron Street, Napier, throughout March.
  • Library Programme, 11am to 12 noon Saturdays 2 and 9 March. Join NANZ’s Jake Brookie at Taradale Library to read books and share interesting animal facts. Suitable for ages 5 to 9.
  • Twilight Ahuriri Estuary Walk and Talk, 5.30pm to 7.30pm, Wednesday 6 March. Hear about kuaka and other migratory birds. Meet at Embankment Rd, Westshore, opposite the Beach Inn, Meeanee Quay. To register, email sally.chandler@hbrc.govt.nz or go to the HBRC Facebook page.
  • Estuary Walk, 1pm to 3.30pm Sunday 10 March. Learn all about our wonderful Ahuriri Estuary, with a special focus on birds. Hosted by Jake Brookie & Lynne Anderson. Meet at the Embankment Rd carpark, opposite the Beach Inn. To register, e-mail Jakeb@nationalaquarium.co.nz

For a full list of Seaweek 2018 events, go to www.seaweek.org.nz or www.nationalaquarium.co.nz.

 

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