CURIOUS MINDS SOUTH AUCKLAND 2024 - PROJECT #1

ReWilding Auckland: Restoring Native Wildlife in the Urban Jungle

Christ the King Catholic School

Over a period of 10 months, 41 students from Christ the King Catholic School investigated how they could reverese native wildlife decline in this two-part project.

Part 1: Te Taiao involved 14 Year 4 students building a butterfly habitat as they learnt about the insects' crucial role in the ecosystem.

Part 2: Pūtātara saw 27 students in Years 5–6 restore a local native bush area into an ephemeral wetland, into which they incorporated hundreds of plants, animal habitats and a māra hūpara (traditional Māori playground). They also created animated stories to retell the purakau (traditional Māori legends) that have inspired their māra designs.

The students worked with STEM experts from Auckland Council's Healthy Waters and Sustainable Schools teams; the NZ Butterfly and Moth Trust; and Pacific Kids' Learning.

Community partners that assisted with the project included Adopt-a-Park, Bunnings, Growing Minds, Sport Auckland, and the local Wesley and Owairaka communities.

Overall, this project inspired the community to be environmental guardians and encouraged tamariki to be active and inquisitive in the natural environment.