Date: 19 September, 2013

18th annual NRC Youth Summit soon

About 40 students from 17 Northland schools will gather for a special Youth Summit at Whangarei’s Onerahi foreshore next month (subs: Thurs 17 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 students (Form One and Two) nominated by schools from throughout Northland.

The Thursday 17 October summit is built around a coastal marine theme and investigates ways in which young people can take an active role in the sustainable management of Northland’s coast.

Regional council staff will work with students on a variety of subjects related to coastal marine management, as well as leading students through a mock resource consent hearing.

The students will also develop action plans to help them deal with an extensive range of coastal environmental issues from their local harbours and beaches that they have already identified as concerns.  Those issues include lack of wetland biodiversity knowledge, poor water quality, erosion, eel breeding ground and traditional mussel harvesting ground issues.

The students’ efforts will contribute to the health of Bay of Islands, Hokianga, Houhora, Kaipara and Whangarei Harbours along with Waipu Estuary and Mitimiti and Rarawa beaches.
The free summit – the 18th hosted by the council - will be held at Onerahi Yacht Club between 8.30am and 3.30 pm.  Students will be attending from the following schools:

Bay of Islands International Academy, Bream Bay College, Kamo Intermediate, Karetu, Matarau, Matihetihe and Ngataki Schools, Ngunguru, Pakaraka, Parua Bay and Poroti Schools, Pukenui School and Rawene School, Ruawai College, Tangiteroria and Whangarei Heads Schools and Whangarei Intermediate.

ENDS

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