You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Ambassador Egbert
Hello everyone tēnā koutou,
I am Egbert the LEARNZ ambassador. I go 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 exploring Ō Tū Wharekai with you. It is a very special place indeed and I can't wait to get up close once again to the variety of plants and animals living there.
Best,
Egbert
Monday 2 April
Kia ora koutou,
I really enjoyed the flights today. I love it when the weather is clear and there are great views. I think I slept for most of the way in the car though on the way from Christchurch to Mt Somers. Some of the roads are so long and straight – they just make me sleepy. Just as well I wasn’t driving! Andrew stays awake by singing. It would usually keep me awake too, but thankfully I remembered to bring my ear plugs!
It looks as though the weather should be good this week. Keep your fingers crossed that it is, as we explore the wildlife of Ō Tū Wharekai and the Rangitata River.
Best,
Egbert
Tuesday 3 April
Kia ora koutou
What an amazing day we had today. I was blown away by the things you can find in this place if you look carefully and closely enough. It was also very windy today, so I literally was almost blown away! Andrew kept saying we should have brought a kite with us. That way he could have sent me up with it to take aerial photographs of Ō Tū Wharekai. I don’t think so Andrew!
I thought the braided river was neat. Brad Edwards said they are always changing – a bit like my moods! I couldn’t believe how cold the water was though. Brad explained that the water is so cold because a glacier feeds the river – no wonder then!
Catch you tomorrow. Best,
Egbert
Wednesday 4 April
Kia ora everyone
Gosh, it sure was windy today. At one point I almost blew away like a tumbleweed! Luckily a matagouri bush stopped me from going too far away. Matagouri (or Wild Irishman as it is also known) grows quite a lot around Ō Tū Wharekai. I was quite surprised to learn that there was once forest growing here also. Juzah said forest was often burned to make way for farmland. There were also accidental fires causing loss of forest too.
There is a lot of replanting being done around Ō Tū Wharekai which is good to see. Juzah says they have to be careful where they plant because if the area is too exposed, the plants can’t handle the harsh winds and die. I think I know exactly what she means!
Best,
Egbert
Thursday 5 April
Kia ora everyone
It was another great day up in Ō Tū Wharekai. I was a bit sad that no other ambassadors had joined me this week. But today I got to hang out with some cool birds that you don’t often see in wetlands – mainly because they are so endangered. I also got up close to some of the predators you might find around wetlands. These are the animals that are part of the reason the wetland birds I mentioned are threatened.
Every year I come to Ō Tū Wharekai I learn something new. I hope you get out and explore a wetland near you. There is a lot to learn about them and the creatures that live in them. They certainly are cool places to visit!
Best,
Egbert
Egbert is one of two LEARNZ field trip ambassadors. Image: LEARNZ.
Monday. Egbert is next to the giant salmon in Rakaia. Image: LEARNZ.
Tuesday. Egbert takes some time to relax next to the braided Hakatere River. Image: LEARNZ.
Wednesday. Egbert checks out a newly planted kōwhai tree that is part of the Ō Tū Wharekai restoration plan. Image: LEARNZ.
Thursday. This is more of a head lock or strangle hold rather than a loving embrace! Image: LEARNZ.