Hurupaki Primary School breathes new life into its local wetland, re-energising a vibrant natural environment and eco-classroom with the help of Mitre10’s Helping Hands Programme.

Hurupaki Primary School students, teachers, and volunteers, with significant support from Mitre10, have rejuvenated the land right on their doorstep, transforming a local wetland area into a vibrant natural environment.

Led by passionate teacher-aide, Marie Morgan, the school has brought renewed energy to the once-overgrown space.

Marie, who also has tamariki at the school and co-teaches the Garden to Table programme has, in recent years, been instrumental in driving the environmental focus at Hurupaki Primary School.

As well as Marie’s passion, the school also benefited from the Mitre 10 Helping Hands programme, which generously donated materials and labour worth approximately $8,000.

Mitre10's Helping Hands programme is known for supporting community projects across New Zealand, providing practical hands-on help to enhance local environments.

Hurupaki school principal Danny Clarkson was amazed by what was achieved in just three days of mahi.

“In such a short time, volunteers cleared weeds, widened pathways, and upgraded the existing jetty.

“We’re hoping the jetty, a focal point of the wetland, will be used for assemblies and other school events,” Danny said.

The project also saw the reconstruction of bridges making it accessible and inviting for all tamariki.

Marie expressed her enthusiasm for the project, saying, “It’s incredible to see the difference in how the wetland looks.”

“The support from Mitre10 and the dedication of our students, staff and volunteers have made this possible. We're excited to continue using this space for learning and other events."

To celebrate the reopening of the wetland, Hurupaki School hosted a ceremony, featuring a beautiful performance including waiata and a haka to acknowledge Marie's and Mitre 10’s contributions.

There is a long history behind the wetland at Hurupaki Primary School. It dates all the way back to 1990 when then teacher Beryl Lowe proposed developing the low-lying horse paddock into a wetland.

From 1990 to 1996, numerous working bees were held to form pathways, build a small bridge over the stream, install the jetty, and carry out ongoing planting.

Between 2000 and 2006, Julie Holt joined the staff at the school and was instrumental in further developing the wetland.

Julie’s efforts led to the school becoming an Environmental Pilot School and receiving significant funding and support, ensuring the wetland became a valuable outdoor classroom for environmental learning and action.

Julie also gained a Royal Society Science and Maths Fellowship focused on New Zealand Wetlands.

She worked with groups of students to develop their areas of interest and supported teachers to include wetland learning and action in their programmes.

Northland Regional Council held the "Our Precious Waters" Expo at the wetland in 2011.

From 2017, the wetland became overgrown again and needed fresh eyes and passionate leadership to bring it back to life.

It’s hoped that the wetland becomes a valuable outdoor classroom for environmental learning and action.

Zeralda Pirini, Enviroschools facilitator has been impressed with the overhaul of the wetland.

“The wetland looks incredible, and I hope it once again becomes a valuable outdoor classroom for learning and action.

“I’d encourage teachers to use the space in conjunction with Enviroschools resources, such as Living Landscapes, Wai Restoration, and Water of Life, as well as studying the species that inhabit the wetland.”

“By integrating these resources, the wetland can serve as a dynamic educational tool, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship and inspiring students to take active roles in preserving their natural surroundings.

“It also provides ‘hands-on,’ experiential learning, which all ākonga (students) love,” Zeralda said.

In the future, the school would like to hold open days and plan to invite surrounding schools to join in environmental education, planting days, and wetland restoration events.

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See the drone footage on Mitre 10 MEGA Whangarei's Facebook page. Video credit: Mitch Thompson, Trade Manager at Mitre 10 MEGA Whangarei.