Havelock North Primary School students have been learning about the Northern Spotted Skinks that live on the gravel beaches south of Napier.
A number of special guests and experts were invited to the school to share information about these skinks with the students. A powerpoint presentation about these rare mokomoko was provided by Tamsin Hains for in-class learning, and staff from the National Aquarium and Department of Conservation (DOC) also came to the school to present.
Students learned that Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay and DOC are planning a predator proof enclosure for a population of these threatened species that have been discovered at Westshore.
Taking Action
The school decided they would like to help support the development of the predator proof enclosure to protect the mokomoko. They held a non uniform day, a lolly jar guessing game, and a bake sale, which collectively raised almost $2000 for the project. Students were encouraged to wear spots and/or sunglasses to school to emulate the mokomoko for the non-uniform day.
Representatives from Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay and DOC were invited to a school assembly to accept the fundraising cheque.
Creation of the ‘Skink Squad’
A small group of students were so enthusiastic about helping the mokomoko, they decided to form a ‘Skink Squad’ to create a habitat for the skinks at school with help from Enviroschools Facilitator Helen.
Below is a list of their actions and achievements so far:
- We scoped a suitable site (sunny, not too busy, unused).
- We asked Tumuaki Nick for permission to use the site.
- The caretaker Fernando helped us dig out quite a few agapanthus.
- We made a list of items we needed to source.
- Heidi from Predator Free Napier Hill donated a T-Rex rat trap in a tunnel.
- We found some broken pavers to upcycle, planted some natives and put in a water container (an upcycled ice cream container) and some bamboo poles.
- We created some signage – do not disturb, mokomoko sleeping!
- We have already caught a rat in the mokomoko habitat!
Creating a habitat for mokomoko at school
Agapanthus cleared in a quiet area in the school grounds