Celebrate what there is to love about the sea

Superheroes don’t always wear capes. In this year’s Seaweek Roadshow, the National Aquarium of New Zealand educators will be celebrating what there is to love about the ocean, and helping children discover what amazing super hero powers sea creatures have.

During Seaweek, which runs from 29 February to 8 March, the educators will be visiting 23 schools and doing 37 shows, between Central Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa. The 30-minute interactive shows are always popular – this year they were all booked out within 24 hours of being available.

“We want children to connect with the ocean. This is one way we can encourage people to begin a lifetime of caring for our marine environment,” says Karlie Lett, one of the educators.

There are other ways you can be involved in Seaweek in Hawke’s Bay, including beach clean ups, citizen science, attending a lecture or taking a tour. The theme for this year is Ko Au Te Moana, Ko Te Moana Ko Au (I am the sea, the sea is me).

“Godwits fly from Alaska to get to our estuary and powerful ocean currents bring nutrients to the rock pools. This Seaweek there's the opportunity to explore our local wild places and see how nature connects Hawkes Bay to the world,” says Jake Brookie, Seaweek Regional Coordinator.

The National Aquarium is recognised as an official supporter of Seaweek.

Others who support Seaweek locally and have been involved in organising this year’s events are: the Hawke’s Bay Regional and Napier city councils, Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Conservation, Birds NZ, Forest & Bird, Ahuriri Estuary Protection Society, Cathedral Environment, Justice & Peace Network, Catholic Parish of Napier Care of Creation Group, Our Seas Our Future, and artist Cinzah Merkens.

This year’s tour of the Seawalls murals in Ahuriri and the CBD, on 7 March, includes a few new ones not seen on previous years’ tours – and this time it’s by bus.

Other Hawke’s Bay Seaweek 2020 events include:

• Beach Clean Up & BBQ, 9am to 12 noon Saturday 29 February, Waitangi Regional Park: Last year more than 750kg of litter was removed, of which 105kgs was able to be recycled. BYO drink bottle, gloves & a bucket if you can, wear appropriate footwear. To register visit Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) Facebook page. Event will be cancelled if the weather’s bad.
• Free child entry, 9am-4.30pm Sunday 1 March, National Aquarium of NZ: Free entry for one child when accompanied by one paying adult.
• Dive into Books, 1-2pm Sunday 1 March Taradale Library, Saturday 8 March Napier Library: Join Seaweek Regional Coordinator Jake Brookie & learn about what lives in the sea. Featuring fun facts, fossils & more.
• Marine Metre Squared, 29 February-31 March, Department of Conservation: Citizen scientists wanted! Get involved in this project to help monitor NZ’s marine environment. Pick up your ‘how to’ guide & other essential equipment from your nearest library.

CAN (Creative Arts Napier) Seaweek Plastic Fantastic Sculpture Challenge, 2-27 March:  A competition open to all ages – repurpose some of that supermarket waste that can’t be recycled. Create a 3D sculpture either at home, or at CAN from 2 March in the special Plastic Fantastic workshop area. Creations will be judged by Jake Brookie & environmental artist Susan Mabin. For more info, visit www.thecan.co.nz

The full list of events can be found here or www.seaweek.org.nz

12 March 2020

Back to News