Posted: 28 September 2006
Annual NRC regional youth summit on next month
A record 40 students from 20 Northland schools will gather for a special Youth Summit at Whangarei’s Onerahi foreshore next month (Thursday 19 October) to discuss coastal environmental issues – and what they can do to make a difference.
The day-long workshop, organised by the Northland Regional Council, is held annually and brings together Year Seven and Eight (Form One and Two) students nominated by schools from throughout Northland.
Council staff member Susan Botting says this year’s 19 October summit is once again built around a coastal marine theme and how young people can take an active role in the future sustainable management of Northland’s coast.
Ms Botting - the Council’s Environmental Education Officer – says Council staff will work with students on a variety of subjects related to coastal marine management, as well as lead students through a light-hearted mock resource consent hearing.
Students will also develop action plans to help them deal with coastal environmental issues they have already identified as concerns.
Coastal marine issues and actions students want to work on include:
- Pollution affecting sea life and human enjoyment of the sea and beaches
- Cockle monitoring
- Erosion
- Wastewater management in housing developments
- Monitoring fresh water streams
- Depletion of fish/shellfish stocks
The free 8.40am to 4pm summit will be held at Onerahi Yacht Club and students will be attending from the following schools:
Ahipara School, Aranga School, Bream Bay College, Broadwood Area School, Kaingaroa School, Kamo Intermediate, Kawakawa School, Manaia View School, Mangakahia Area School, Ngunguru School, Okaihau College, Opononi Area School, Pompallier College, Tangiteroria School, Tangowahine School, Te Kura o Matihetihe, Tikipunga High School, Whangarei Heads School, Whangarei Intermediate and Whangaruru School.