Tamanuiterā
On August 14th 2025, 31 taiohi (young people) from 7 schools across Porirua came together to share and learn about Para Kore – Zero Waste. They arrived at the Titahi Bay Surf Club excited and with an energy that kept them buzzing throughout the day. These ākonga and their kaiako were keen to learn about what action they could take to reduce the impact of waste in their schools and local communities.
We started our day together with mihi, in the beautiful beach setting of Tītahi Bay, with Tama-nui-te-rā shining down on us and reflecting his rays across Tangaroa and Hine Moana. We then shared a round of whakawhanaungatanga and set our intentions for the day.
After nourishing kai, we gave a brief introduction to the Porirua Assembly — Te Rūnanga O Toa Rangatira, which has specific recommendations around local waste management and support for local communities. Taiohi leaders shared their whakaaro about this, modelled the powerful messages on the t-shirts they helped to design and shared a moving waiata that they wrote as a call to action.
We then moved to a more local focus, introducing the Enviroschools Action Learning Cycle and how this can help shape a waste focus in schools. Kaiako and taiohi worked together to brainstorm current situations and what aspirations they have for taking action on waste. They shared their ideas for reducing waste in their schools and communities.
We then moved on to the Enviroschools Transformers Activity, which deepened understanding and connection by considering the life cycle of everyday products we use at school and at home, how we can reduce these going to landfill, and why this helps protect ngā Atua in these space as well as the areas in te taiao that we care about.
Enviroschools Transformers Activity
By the afternoon, energy to get out and take local action was high so we went back outside for a beach clean up. Seeing the amount of rubbish in a place special to many of our ākonga, they were inspired to express their messages of hope and determination through artwork on the sand.
Messages of hope through sand art
As the day came to a close, there was much enthusiasm to make plans for Para Kore – Zero Waste action back at school. With the support of Porirua City Council we look forward to supporting this action, including the launch of a new waste resource and a full day ‘taking action on waste’ workshop for kaiako.
Group reflection