By Shella Dabbach
Onewa Environmental Prefect
Kia ora koutou katoa!
Sea Week has been an absolute success. Raising awareness about our moana, it’s animals, and fresh water supplies is crucial as the ocean is Earth’s precious taonga. Water nourishes our bodies, other animals bodies, and our sturdy trees. It’s important to be grateful for the fresh water we have so readily available to us everyday while others hardly have access to it.
The Environmental Prefects have reached hundreds of girls at assemblies and our outstanding Sea Week events which included educational Marine Biologist speakers coming in, Tarn Drylie and Rhian Ingley. They are incredibly passionate about the role Auckland citizens have played in water cleanliness, discussing all the many ways we can continue to keep NZ’s water clean and healthy.
Rhian has travelled to Antartica to research about plankton under the ice while Tarn has travelled across NZ coasts to pick up samples of water for labs. The wide variety of career options available in Marine Biology guarantees that there is a position for every type of person. If you’re into maths you can help analyse the data, if you’re into biology you can study different sea organisms, and if you’re into telling people what to do well you can be the manager of the team.
Asking Tarn and Rhian what they are most grateful for in their careers there answers pleased us. Tarn said, “I love the fun coastline trips and being able to serve my community.” Rhian said, “I love what I do because I am able to work with such a diverse and great team everyday. When I enter the workplace the atmosphere is always exciting.”
Bea Wood asked them, “What do you want to see change in your field?” They both answered, “We want more integration and understanding of the important natural processes that not only seas but estuaries and rivers offer Aotearoa. Stronger rules are needed, especially around Auckland’s water areas, thus we can prevent water pollution.”
Sea Week 2021 has been amazing. It’s beautiful to see passionate earth loving girls coming together and getting involved in enviro group as a way of service to not only our community, but Earth as a whole.
Many girls have also been asking about the Westlake beach clean-up (WGHS and WBHS combined), confirmed for 7 April so very soon! We are excited to see your smiling faces there as we do our part for Papatuanuku (Mother Earth).
Ngā mihi Green Gurus!
Pictured top are Tarn and Rhian with Environmental Prefects from left: Cara Clark-Howard (Hauraki), Shella Dabbach (Onewa), Lily Winchester (Wairau) and Maia Abbott (Akoranga). Taking the photo was Bea Wood (Pupuke).