The NES team delivered two presentations with all students of the Mauke School. One presentation for Juniors (Year 2-6) was delivered by Mauke Environment Officer – Raita Moetaua and the other for Seniors (Year 8-11) delivered by Senior Compliance Officer Junior Tapoki.
The junior students are currently learning about living things. Raita spoke of the importance of trees and plants like they provide shade, a food source, medicinal, for arts and crafts, and home for animals. Most importantly they are an important function for our ecosystem. Ex-Mauke Student Junior Tapoki spoke about his job and his role as an Environment Officer, the opportunities like online study, travelling abroad for workshops and trainings, and grow professionally in the organisation from a junior role to a senior role. Junior also spoke of challenges that come with the job like dealing with disgruntled members of the public and dealing with illegal activities commonly occurring around the island.
The presentations were followed by planting of four tamanu (Polynesian mahogany, calophyllum inophyllum) trees generously donated by the Mauke Ministry of Agriculture.
Thank you to students, teachers and Principal Tapita Tereia for your generosity and time. We look forward to sitting in the shade of the trees in the near future.
