Kaitiaki of the Estuary
Meet the students who are looking after their local estuary.
About this resource
Series: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Reading year level: 4
Topics: climate change, crabs, environment, estuary, habitats, kaitiaki, kaitiakitanga, Maungatapu, Ngā Pōtiki, Ngāti Hē, pāpaka, pollution, Rangataua Bay, tāhuna, Tauranga Moana
Kaitiaki of the Estuary
Words by Keri Welham
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School Journal Level 2 November 2022
In this School Journal there are four articles (Estuaries; Kaitiaki of the Estuary; Saving the Lizards; and Taniwha), two stories (Tree Talk and Hukarere and Hine Tai), one interview (Protecting the Waterways), and one student writing (Harbour View).
1 of 8Estuaries
Estuaries are home to many kinds of birds, fish, and plants.
2 of 8Saving the Lizards
In 2015, eighty native lizards were moved to Ngā Manu Nature Reserve because their homes were in the path of the new Transmission Gully motorway. The lizards stayed at Ngā Manu until new homes were made for them near the motorway.
3 of 8Taniwha
Taniwha have a special relationship with Māori, who tell many stories about them. Taniwha have different roles – and one of these is as kaitiaki. Many taniwha live in or near lakes, rivers, or the sea and help to protect and keep these places safe.
4 of 8Tree Talk
“We’re lost!” Ruby exclaimed, as she struggled to keep up with her brother. They were trying to find their way back to the campground, but the forest looked the same in every direction. “If we’re lost, it’s your fault,” Sefa said. “You ran off after that pīwakawaka.”
5 of 8Hukarere and Hine Tai
Can Hukarere see Hine Tai – the taniwha who lives in the rock pool?
6 of 8Protecting the Waterways
Des Heke Kaiawha was a student at Maungatapu School in the 1980s. Since then, he has helped build knowledge of te ao Māori in the school. He spoke to Keri Welham about the waterways of Tauranga and his work to protect them.
7 of 8Harbour View
I live near the sea, north of Auckland. Above my house, there is a small but welcoming hill. It has a wooden chair and a breathtaking view of the sparkling ocean.
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