The spirit of environmental stewardship was on full display in Mauke as students, teachers, families and community members came together to celebrate an educational Plastic-Free Community Event at Mauke School on Thursday 23rd July 2026.
Mauke Principal, Ms Maria Aiturau-Tereia said that the event forms part of “Phase Two of the Te Ara o te Onu e te Tavake: Communications, Awareness and Data Collection Initiative, implemented in Mauke by the Te Onu Akauroa Akatokamanava Association (TOAAA) with support from the National Environment Services under the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP). The initiative continues to empower the youth of Mauke to become guardians of their coastal and marine environment through education, community action and traditional knowledge”.
Aiturau-Tereia continues, that “the Plastic-Free Community Event is an awareness of what the students have been participating in over the past two months and ways to embrace practical alternatives to single-use plastics while reinforcing the importance of caring for the island’s natural and cultural heritage. Throughout the day, students took part in a range of engaging environmental activities that promoted sustainable living, creativity and environmental leadership.”
The event inspired positive action to reduce plastic pollution and protect the island’s precious environment.
