The year 4 - 6 students of Awanui Primary School participated in the EMR programme in 2009. This was as part of the Taonga Pumau Programme which Ministry of Fisheries, and Te Runanga o Te Rarawa contributed to the students learning about the Tikanga associated with Tangaroa through kai ora lessons making sushi and a visit by the Min Fish compliance officers. This all contributed to the young kaitiaki learning.

Surrounded by the amazing marine environment of Te Hiku o Te Ika, the students were very excited at the beginning of the programme. Snorkeling experiences took them to Maitai Bay at the tip of the Karikari peninsula, and the Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve, at Reotahi.

A large kina barren dominated the snorkellers eye view, but juvenille snapper and kahawai were seen, along with many small and encrusting life such as golf ball sponges and clown nudibranchs, as seen below.

"I thought we would be seeing lots more life though" one student told the group in the debrief at the end of the day at Maitai.

Safe snorkelling conditions, heaps of parent helpers and a great sunny day greeted Awanui Primary School when they arrived at Reotahi for their Marine Reserve experience. While the Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve was only installed 3 years ago, the students and parents were interested to learn the history of the Marine Reserve which was applied for by students of Kamo High School.

"Anything is possible once we accept our role as kaitiaki"