Dive into Seaweek 2015 from this weekend

Press Release - for immediate release Wednesday 25 February 2015

Dive into Seaweek 2015 from this weekend

With only a few days to go until the start of NZAEE Seaweek 2015 on Saturday 28 February the number of events listed on the Seaweek website at seaweek.org.nz has swelled to over 150, with 65 events happening in Auckland.

Seaweek National Coordinator Dr Mels Barton is delighted at the response “we are getting more groups organising events around Seaweek every year and many more repeating events year after year. It’s great to have so many opportunities around the country for families to engage in learning about the amazing marine environment we have in New Zealand and how to protect it.”

The Seaweek Ocean Champion voting closes on Saturday 28 February and the competition is intense. The winner of the $500 award sponsored by the New Zealand Coastal Society will be announced at the Sea Change - Tai Timu Tai Pari Seaweek Panel Debate with comedienne Michele A’Court and a star studded panel of experts discussing the issues affecting the Hauraki Gulf on Wednesday 4 March at AUT in Auckland.

The New Zealand Coastal Society are also sponsoring a lecture tour of the North Island by Captain Hayden Smith of Sea Cleaners who can be seen in Auckland, Tauranga and Wellington. You can even help clean up the Chatham Islands with an event listed on the Wellington Region page!

New for NZAEE Seaweek 2015 will be the launch of more great resources to encourage children to get involved in marine science including the fantastic new book and DVD from Young Ocean Explorers Steve Hathaway and his daughter Riley, who are currently filming their new series in the Kermadecs.
This superb resource will be provided free to every school in New Zealand and will be launched during Seaweek at a special Evening with Young Ocean Explorers at Somerville School, Botany hosted by Auckland Zoological Society on Thursday 5 March.

More free resources are available on the Resources Page of the Seaweek website at http://seaweek.org.nz/resources-downloads/

Event highlights around the country include:
Northland - Community Guided Snorkeling with Experiencing Marine Reserves at Long Beach, Russell on 1 March and Reotahi, Whangarei on 8 March, plus Seaweek Pecha Kucha in Whangarei on 4 March.

Auckland - Silo Park Seaweek Weekend with a film on Friday 6 March, a day with Sustainable Coastlines on Saturday 7 March and the Seaweek Activity Hub family day on Sunday 8 March. Plus a bunch of events on Waiheke Island and the Manukau Harbour including Goodbye Godwits on 7 March and Sand Sculptures at Whatipu on 1 March.

Waikato - Maui’s Dolphin Day & Recycled Raft Race at Raglan on Sunday 8 March.

Bay of Plenty - Envirofest 2015 at Mt Maunganui on Saturday 28 February, Coastal and Wetland Discovery Days on 7 and 8 March. Plus the Katikati Bioblitz of the entire Uretara Catchment from the mountains to the sea on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 March.

Gisborne / East Coast - Film showing of Our Big Blue Backyard at the Dome Cinema Gisborne on Wednesday 4 March plus a Clean-up of Waikanae Beach on Saturday 7 March.

Hawkes Bay - Planet Ocean movie showing in Hastings on Saturday 28 February, Gannet Adventures Beach Clean-up from Clifton to Cape Kidnappers on Sunday 1 March. Plus a children’s Transformer Workshop Weekend to turn rubbish into sculpture on 7 and 8 March.

Taranaki - Whitecliffs Walk on Saturday 28 February, Community Guided Snorkeling with Experiencing Marine Reserves at Nga Motu Beach, New Plymouth on Sunday 1 and Wednesday 4 March. Plus a citizen science Coastal Blitz on Thursday 5 March.

Wellington - Lots of clean-ups happening at Raumati Beach 28 Feb, Petone Beach 1 and 8 March, Whangaimoana Beach 4 March, Kaiwharawhara Estuary 8 March and Oriental Bay 8 March. Plus a snorkel at Whitireia Regional Park on 28 Feb and guided tours of Te Ara Piko on 1 March and Moa Point Treatment Plant on 3 and 5 March.

Nelson / Tasman - Cawthron Institute Lecture on 5 March and photo competition. Plus Community Guided Snorkeling with Experiencing Marine Reserves at Tonga Island Marine Reserve and Cable Bay.

Marlborough - Little Blue Penguin seminar on Friday 27 February, Art on the Beach on Saturday 28 Feb and Project Jonah Marine Mammal Medic Training on Saturday 7 March.

Christchurch / Canterbury - Ocean Film Festival World Tour in Christchurch 4 and 5 March, Coast Blitz at Sumner Beach on Wednesday 4 March. Plus a bunch of events in Akaroa including the Orion Powerhouse Seaweek Art Exhibition opening Saturday 28 Feb, a lecture with Prof Chris Battershill on Monday 2 March and the Akaroa Seaweek School’s Debate on Wednesday 4 March.

Otago - Kiwi Conservation Club are doing Marine Metre Squared at Kaka Point on Sunday 1 March, Otago Museum has film screenings and public forum on Sunday 1 and Friday 6 March, There’s a talk on Sealions at Dunedin City Library on Tuesday 3 March and a guest speaker at Omaru Library on Wednesday 4 March. Plus the Dunedin Coastal Clean-up on Saturday 7 March and film screenings of The Last Ocean and Our Big Blue Backyard.

Check out the Seaweek website at seaweek.org.nz for full details of all the events and competitions.

Seaweek is the flagship event of the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE). Seaweek 2015 is supported by ASB Community Trust, Department of Conservation, Ministry for Primary Industries, University of Otago NZ Marine Studies Centre, Auckland Council, DSP Print Group Ltd, New Zealand Coastal Society and many local sponsors.

ENDS

© Scoop Media