Ambassador Eddy

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Hello everyone, tēnā koutou,

I am Eddy the new LEARNZ ambassador. From 2019 I will be going on all the trips with Andrew and help look after the other ambassadors from your schools.

I really love LEARNZ field trips about New Zealand's special places. I am looking forward to discovering more about New Zealand's marine reserves with you.

Ngā mihi,
Eddy

Monday 18 February

Kia ora tātou,

It didn’t seem to take awfully long at all to arrive in Wellington today. It is amazing that you can travel almost 1,000 kilometres in only four hours. The other ambassadors and I had a whole seat to ourselves for the flight from Auckland to Wellington. They were comfortable too. We received a Cookie Time cookie and a cup of tea to dunk it in – yum!

From Wellington we drove north to a place called Paraparaumu. This is where we’ll be staying during the field trip. I can’t wait for our trip to Kāpiti Island tomorrow!

Ngā mihi,

Eddy

Tuesday 19 February

Kia ora tātou,

Today we went for a boat ride to Kāpiti Island. The first thing I noticed was all the birdsong – it was loud! But I’m not complaining. It is awesome to know that these birds are living without the threat of predators. Kāpiti Island is a bird sanctuary so all introduced pests and predators have been removed. This provides a safe environment for our native and endemic species living there. I’m keen to go back again one day and have more of a look around.

Ngā mihi,

Eddy

Wednesday 20 February

Kia ora tātou,

Today we spent some time at Waikanae Estuary. Ben Knight showed us how to do a Marine Metre Squared survey at the estuary. I had trouble concentrating because all the seabirds kept distracting me! I learned that more than 60 species of birds breed there at the estuary. No whio though! Wrybills and black-fronted terns from Canterbury stop there. Even international migratory birds, such as godwits and knots from Siberia!

Looking forward to our final day of the field trip tomorrow.

Ngā mihi,

Eddy

Thursday 21 February

Kia ora tātou,

I have had an amazing time on my first ever LEARNZ field trip. I love rivers and the forest, but I must say that marine reserves are a new favourite of mine. Just like the need to care for our rivers, so too must we look after our marine environments. I have also enjoyed making new friends with Kauri Kiwi and Tito Tūi. I hope I get to spend some more time with them on a future field trip.

Looking forward to our next adventure!

Ngā mihi,

Eddy