Freshwater education | Citizen science, community events and training | National and regional events
Whitebait Connection is an action-based, environmental education programme for schools and communities, focussing on the health of our streams, rivers and wetlands.
School Programmes
Hui and Wānanga
Community Events
Te Kura Awa in action
The full Whitebait Connection (WBC) programme is a term-long inquiry and includes several sessions supported by your WBC Coordinator. Teachers then enhance these rich learning experiences with their own classroom planning.
The Whitebait Connection Coordinator delivers 4 of the 6 sessions and the classroom teacher supports the programme by teaching sessions one and three and assisting students to plan and carry out their freshwater actions.
Whitebait Connection’s key learning concepts
➢ Values of fresh water
➢ Interconnections and cycles of the environment
➢ Ecology and biodiversity
➢ Threats to the freshwater environment
➢ Responsibility for action and kaitiakitanga
Vision
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To have schools, tangata whenua and community groups actively involved in stream and catchment restoration throughout New Zealand
To provide ongoing support for all participating groups and schools incorporating cutting edge, practical environmental education
To gain a better understanding of the distribution and the abundance of whitebait and other freshwater fish species as well as pest fish species
To share knowledge about the effects of landuse practices on freshwater ecosystems and to strengthen the relationship between government departments, schools, community groups and tāngata whenua.
Inquiry Cycle
Looking for more curriculum links?
Mountains to Sea has a number of marine, estuarine and storm water school programmes and can tailor a programme to suit your needs.
The Mountains to Sea (Conservation Trust)'s Safety Management plan covers the over-arching and policy aspects of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust’s health and safety responsibilities. Much of the trust’s credibility is based on outstanding safety standards. Its aim is to maintain this exceptionally high safety record and to continually improve safety management and procedures.
Free or subsidised community events
Each region has their own events and ways to register.
All equipment is provided free of charge. Koha is appreciated, either money or time volunteering at a future event.
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Planting & stream clean up days
Īnanga spawning site surveys
Community group workshops
Spot lighting events
Freshwater kayak & snorkel events
World Fish Migration Day
Bioblitz & Stream clean ups
Community displays at events
Have an idea for a community event? Get in touch!
Previous WBC Events
There are many different ways that everyday people can monitor their waterways. The Whitebait Connection (WBC) uses a mixture of biological (living) and non-biological (non-living) indicators to assess and monitor the health of streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands. A goal is to empower schools and communities to do their own monitoring.
Basic monitoring | WBC kits
Advanced monitoring | SHMAK kits
Īnanga spawning - NĪSP
Freshwater fish
Stories about monitoring
Whitebait Connection regional freshwater hui
The Whitebait Connection started facilitating regional freshwater hui in Northland in 2007. The success of the hui resulted in its development and delivery every two years since. The last hui was held in April 2022 in partnership with NZ Landcare Trust in Whangarei.
The Northland team have produced summary evaluation reports from a previous hui in 2012 and a Regional Freshwater Hui Planning Template so that other areas wanting to facilitate their own regional hui have the experience of the Northland model to build from. You can download the Regional Freshwater Hui Planning Template below.
Mountains to Sea Wānanga
Visit our Wānanga page for more information.
Wai Connection
Visit our Wai Connection page for more information.
“You have done a great job teaching us kids about the water, my friends and I have been taking much more action to clean up our environment!”
Jessica, One Tree Point Primary School, Northland
