Dive into Seaweek 2017 from this weekend

Dive into Seaweek 2017 from this weekend

With only a few days to go until the start of NZAEE Seaweek 2017 on Saturday 25 February the number of events listed on the Seaweek website at seaweek.org.nz has swelled to over 179, with 60 events happening in Auckland, plus 13 competitions. So dive into Seaweek, visit the website and check out the events near you!

Seaweek National Coordinator Dr Mels Barton is delighted at the response:

“We are getting more groups organising events every year, and many more repeating events year after year. It’s great to have so many opportunities around the country for families to learn about the amazing marine environment we have in New Zealand and how to protect it.”

Voting for the 2017 Seaweek Ocean Champion closes on Friday 24 February and the competition is intense. The winner of the award sponsored by the New Zealand Coastal Society will be announced at the Marine Conservation Futures and the Legacy of Bill Ballantine lecture and panel debate evening on Thursday 2 March at the University of Auckland.

The biggest event in the country will be Sustainable Coastlines’ ‘Love Your Coast’ Manukau Harbour Clean-up, with 6 clean-up stations located around the harbour on the public day, Saturday 4 March.

Other event highlights around the country include:

Northland: Tapeka Point Snorkel Day and Waikaraka Kayak Day on Saturday 4 March, Whale of a Day, Trip to the Poor Knights on 3 March and register with Northland Regional Council to pick up your free beach clean-up kit while stocks last.

Auckland: Silo Park Seaweek Market on Saturday 25 February and Silo Stories with Young Ocean Explorers on Sunday 26 February; Bill Ballantine Memorial Lecture and Ocean Champion award night on Thursday 2 March; Sonic Seas Film on Friday 3 March; Love Your Coast Manukau Harbour Clean-up on Saturday 4 March.

Waikato: Climate Change Education Forum on Friday 3 March, Science in the Community on Friday 17 March; Maui Dolphin Day on Saturday 18 March.

Bay of Plenty: War on Weeds, Margins of the Sea on Sunday 26 February; Western Bay Wildlife Trust Night Tours on 2,3 and 5 March; Western Bay Beach Clean-ups on Saturday 5 March.

Hawkes Bay: Seaweek Royal Society Lecture on Tuesday 28 February; Beach clean-ups with Gannets at Cape Kidnappers, Waitangi Regional Park and Cathedral Peace and Justice; Napier murals guided walks on 26 February and 6 March; Estuary walk on Saturday 25 February.

Manawatu / Whanganui: KCC Horowhenua Trip on Sunday 26 February; Variety Concert on Friday 3 March; Foxton Beach clean-up on Friday 3 March, South Beach Whanganui Clean-up on Saturday 4 March.

Wellington: Common Ground art events from Saturday 25 Feb to Sat 4 March; Whitireia snorkel days on Saturday 25 Feb and 4 March; Aratoi and Birds NZ in Masterton daily; Moa Point Treatment Plant Tours on 28 Feb and 7 March; Raumati beach clean-up on 1 March; Common Ground Groundwater Lower Hutt Art Festival daily events during Seaweek.

Nelson: Nelson Tasman Big Beach Clean on Saturday 4 March; Cawthron Seaweek Science Stories on Thursday 2 March.

Marlborough: Snorkel Scavenger Hunt on 27 Feb, 1 and 4 March

Canterbury: Akaroa Dolphins Cruise with NZ Whale & Dolphin Trust Marine Scientists on Saturday 4 March; Pohatu Penguins Sea Kayaking Safaris on Saturday 25 February; Cycle the Coastal Pathway on Sunday 26 Feb; Spend a Day in Heaven on Sunday 26 Feb; Seaweek Seminar on Tuesday 28 Feb.

Otago: Dunedin Coastal Clean-up on Sunday 26 February; Marine Scientists in Schools throughout Seaweek.

West Coast: Rapahoe Beach Clean-up on 21 February

Southland: Fiordland Marine Guardians Community Forum on Tuesday 23 Feb; Oreti Beach Clean-up on Monday 27 Feb.

There are also 13 exciting and fun competitions to enter this year with great prizes on offer. For full details of all the events and competitions check out the Seaweek website at seaweek.org.nz.

The theme for this year’s Seaweek, which runs from Saturday 25 February to Sunday 5 March 2017, is “Toiora te Moana - Toiora te Tangata, Healthy Seas - Healthy People”.

Seaweek 2017 is coordinated by the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE) and supported by Foundation North, Department of Conservation, New Zealand Marine Studies Centre (Otago University), Environment Canterbury Regional Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, The National Aquarium - Napier City Council, DSP Print Group Ltd, New Zealand Coastal Society, Young Ocean Explorers, Lou and Iris Fisher Trust and many local sponsors.

ENDS

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