CURIOUS MINDS SOUTH AUCKLAND 2024 - PROJECT #7

KAI 2 (Kaitiaki Action and Investigation

Tāmaki College

As part of this 9-month-long project to tackle the issue of waste in the Tāmaki community, 60 students in Years 10–11 at Tāmaki College created some innovative, holistic solutions to waste management. 

Supported by STEM experts from the University of Auckland and Tamaki WRAP, the students first conducted waste audits to determine key waste streams at their school, then analysed the existing litter problem. 

They then worked with local stakeholders and experts to design solutions to minimise these waste streams. The students also received support from tuakana mentors from their local community.

Following the waste audits, the students identified five key action areas on which to focus going forward:

Each group developed different solutions that work holistically to reduce waste and change the culture of ‘waste minimisation’ in their school. The project’s success lay in the student-led enquiry where rangatahi developed a strong sense of ownership and belonging, enabling them to contribute meaningfully towards the liveability of their region.