Our Northland - Tõ Ttou Taitokerau Our It's nationwide Youth Week so we're shining the spotlight on our rangatahi in this edition, along with some of the other great work happening around the region to help our environment, economy and people thrive. Brought to you by Northland Regional Council. New programme nurtures youth leaders Investing in our rangitahi for a sustainable Taitokerau Exploring Northland's history, culture and natural environment was an important part of the programme. The students visited Waitangi Treaty Grounds, experienced birdsong on pest- free Moturua Island, and saw kiwi in a night walk through Rangihoua Heritage Park. Untouched World Foundation programme director Dr Barry Law says experiential leaming opportunities are an important component of developing well-rounded young leaders. "We learn a lot in school, but often never experience it. We've got to connect people emotionally in order to create a change in habit," says Barry. The participants learned a lot from the activities and from staying at on marae. Taylor Kees, a Participant Manaia Butler holds a potted wetland plant - simulating how wetlands filter dirt and 25-year-old North Tec student, says the contaminants. experience was emotionally rewarding. "1 don't have much connection to my ancestors. Being here, I felt really welcomed and like I was part of a whanau. Ngati Kawa Taituha, Chair of To Ti Marae, says it was great to see the participants take an interest in the area's history and culture. He hopes the programme sparked a flame within them to "go out there and do something great". leadership skills and leam about behaviour Northland youth learned about everything from water quality to climate change during the launch of a sustainability-focused youth- development initiative in late April. change. They also discussed the sustainable future of their rohe (area) and its people while exploring Northland's environment. Several NRC staff joined the group, sharing knowledge in areas such as predator control and marine biosecurity. The students leamed about the stages of kauri dieback by viewing infected trees and visited farms to test soil. develop Northland's future leaders in sustainabilily. Among the participants was 17-year-old Ngã Tupuranga o Te Taitokerau, which aims to "Sometimes you just need the right support, guidance and mentorship to help you get to where you want to go. There are lots of opportunities for great leadership, so hopefully they've gained the skills necessary and want to go out and represent our home in whatever area they choose," he adds. is a collaborative programme between Northland Regional Council (NRC). Untouched Workd Foundation and the Ministry Whangarei Girls' High School student Manaia Butler who joined the programme to gain leadership skills. Manaia believes youth- focused initiatives are key part of protecting of Youth Development. The week-long pilot programme, which was fully funded by scholarships, was held at Te Ti Marae and involved 14 secondary-school and tertiary students. the environment in Te Taitokerau. Feedback from this year's participants, as well as "Workshops like this really open (our) eyes to show not only Maori, but all youth how to look after the environment. I feel key partners, will infuence the design of future Nga Tupuranga o Te Taitokerau programmes. Participants had opportunities to develop privileged to have been here," she says. Residents' Survey 2021 Have you had your say? Encouraging kaitiakitanga In late March staff from our blodiversity, biosecurity and Enviroschools teams had the privilege of working with rangatahi from Te Noho Taiao o Ngåpuhi as part of its marae-based noho. The noho provided an opportunity for hands-on environmental learning and lifting understanding of kaitiakitanga, with the aim of encouraging more young Ngapuhi to pursue careers in science, environmental sustainability, technology and Our Northland Regional Council residents' survey is back for 2021! Help us understand what's working well for you, and what we might improve on. The survey is open until Friday 28 May. business. DO THE SURVEY www.nrc.govt.nziresidentssurvey Our Northland - Tõ Ttou Taitokerau Our It's nationwide Youth Week so we're shining the spotlight on our rangatahi in this edition, along with some of the other great work happening around the region to help our environment, economy and people thrive. Brought to you by Northland Regional Council. New programme nurtures youth leaders Investing in our rangitahi for a sustainable Taitokerau Exploring Northland's history, culture and natural environment was an important part of the programme. The students visited Waitangi Treaty Grounds, experienced birdsong on pest- free Moturua Island, and saw kiwi in a night walk through Rangihoua Heritage Park. Untouched World Foundation programme director Dr Barry Law says experiential leaming opportunities are an important component of developing well-rounded young leaders. "We learn a lot in school, but often never experience it. We've got to connect people emotionally in order to create a change in habit," says Barry. The participants learned a lot from the activities and from staying at on marae. Taylor Kees, a Participant Manaia Butler holds a potted wetland plant - simulating how wetlands filter dirt and 25-year-old North Tec student, says the contaminants. experience was emotionally rewarding. "1 don't have much connection to my ancestors. Being here, I felt really welcomed and like I was part of a whanau. Ngati Kawa Taituha, Chair of To Ti Marae, says it was great to see the participants take an interest in the area's history and culture. He hopes the programme sparked a flame within them to "go out there and do something great". leadership skills and leam about behaviour Northland youth learned about everything from water quality to climate change during the launch of a sustainability-focused youth- development initiative in late April. change. They also discussed the sustainable future of their rohe (area) and its people while exploring Northland's environment. Several NRC staff joined the group, sharing knowledge in areas such as predator control and marine biosecurity. The students leamed about the stages of kauri dieback by viewing infected trees and visited farms to test soil. develop Northland's future leaders in sustainabilily. Among the participants was 17-year-old Ngã Tupuranga o Te Taitokerau, which aims to "Sometimes you just need the right support, guidance and mentorship to help you get to where you want to go. There are lots of opportunities for great leadership, so hopefully they've gained the skills necessary and want to go out and represent our home in whatever area they choose," he adds. is a collaborative programme between Northland Regional Council (NRC). Untouched Workd Foundation and the Ministry Whangarei Girls' High School student Manaia Butler who joined the programme to gain leadership skills. Manaia believes youth- focused initiatives are key part of protecting of Youth Development. The week-long pilot programme, which was fully funded by scholarships, was held at Te Ti Marae and involved 14 secondary-school and tertiary students. the environment in Te Taitokerau. Feedback from this year's participants, as well as "Workshops like this really open (our) eyes to show not only Maori, but all youth how to look after the environment. I feel key partners, will infuence the design of future Nga Tupuranga o Te Taitokerau programmes. Participants had opportunities to develop privileged to have been here," she says. Residents' Survey 2021 Have you had your say? Encouraging kaitiakitanga In late March staff from our blodiversity, biosecurity and Enviroschools teams had the privilege of working with rangatahi from Te Noho Taiao o Ngåpuhi as part of its marae-based noho. The noho provided an opportunity for hands-on environmental learning and lifting understanding of kaitiakitanga, with the aim of encouraging more young Ngapuhi to pursue careers in science, environmental sustainability, technology and Our Northland Regional Council residents' survey is back for 2021! Help us understand what's working well for you, and what we might improve on. The survey is open until Friday 28 May. business. DO THE SURVEY www.nrc.govt.nziresidentssurvey