16th November 2020

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Kia ora,

Marine Metre Squared is a very useful tool to involve the community in tackling localised issues. An on-going example of this is the Hauraki Gulf Monitoring project which is now in its fourth year running. This project works with schools surrounding the Gulf and encourage them to learn about and protect their stunning marine environment. Read below to find out more

What is the Hauraki Gulf Monitoring Project?

The Hauraki Gulf Monitoring Project (HGMP) began in 2017 as a way to actively engage schools and local communities with their local marine environment. Co-ordinated by the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education and the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre and funded by Foundation North, the HGMP uses citizen science to involve those who utilise the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi so they can become guardians/kaitiakitanga of this area.

2020 marked the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and unfortunately there was little to celebrate. Declines in crayfish and some fish species, reduced kelp forests, increased sediment and numbers of non-indigenous marine species are just some of the issues highlighted in the most recent 'State of the Gulf' report.

The HGMP hopes that by learning about the ecology of their local seashore, communities can better understand the impacts and issues facing the Gulf (and the wider marine environment) and become inspired to create change and protect their shores.

HGMP 2020

Despite the many challenges of 2020, six schools have participated in the HGMP. So far, 38 Mm2 surveys have been completed at four locations around the Gulf where over 100 unique species have been found (and there are still more surveys to come!)

Thank you to the following schools for their dedication (and patience) throughout this year:

Wentworth College
AGE School
Te Atatū Intermediate School
Balmoral School
Waiheke Primary School
Long Bay Primary School

You can read up about past findings from the HGMP here on our website. A full report on the HGMP for 2020 has recently been published and can be read on our website!

Planning is underway for the 2021 HGMP so if you are interested in participating, please get in touch. The NZMSC staff can also provide on-line training and support for you and/or your students to carry out an Mm2 survey, so if you are not in Auckland you can still participate.

BLAKE Inspire for Teachers

Photo credit: Blake New Zealand (www.blakenz.org)

The 2020 BLAKE Inspire for Teachers was five-days of action-packed environmental education and leadership development course. Held in Auckland in late September, 30 primary teachers from around the country participated. Despite the weather, field work was a strong focus and Sally Carson lead the marine section. Exploring the concept of ki uta ki tai (from the mountains to the sea) the teachers learned methods to assessed the health of a freshwater stream and carried out a Marine Metre Squared survey in the associated estuary. Increased understanding of the connectivity of river health and the coastal environment is key to engaging all New Zealanders in caring for our coast. These teachers have returned to their schools with lots of ideas and knowledge and we look forward to hearing more about how they apply their learning to the classroom environment and inspire their students to act for the environment.

Latest Community Stories

Over the past few weeks, we have had some members of the Mm2 community get in touch about their recent discoveries on shorelines from all over the country! We have had questions asked about jellyfish and had showcases of sea-stars found during a Mm2 survey. The cushion star in the photo above is half-way through eating a half crab - you can just see the claw of the crab sticking out from the sea-stars stomach!

Our most recent community story discusses the razor mussel/razor clam Solemya parkinsonii. We talked to University of Otago Zoology PhD student Kerry Walton (who named some of the species of Solemya found in New Zealand) about what makes this mussel so special - read about it here.

You can read more about these creatures (and lots of others) in the Collins Guide to the New Zealand Seashore. It is a book full of LOTS of information and a great addition to any classroom or household full of marine enthusiasts!

Glorious Guides

NIWA has released a new guide highlighting 'Super Sea Slugs' that can be found on the seashore. This colourful and informative guide is worth a look.

Keep Up to Date with Us!

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @marinemetre2. On social media we post relevant articles and activities as well as share what our Mm2 community has been up to. So we want to hear from you! Whether it is finding something weird and wonderful or simply just a great day out exploring - get in touch with us so we can post it on social media or under 'Community Stories' on our website.

Up Next....

We are talking tide pool photography!

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