Kaitaia Intermediate was involved in the Experiencing Marine Reserves programme during Term 1 2008.

They were also involved in 2006.

Their local beach was Matai Bay. The students noticed that the most abundant organism underwater at Matai Bay was kina.

Local dive shop A to Z Diving helped make the visit successful by providing local divers to assist in the water, on top of the parents that came along to support the trips. Kaitaia Intermediate trip to Leigh was well supported by dads; a record of nine dads's attended the trip! (No mum's in sight, apart from the teachers)

Students said that they noticed a lot more kelp forest at the reserve, this is due to abundant predators of kina such as crayfish and snapper within the reserve, keeping kina numbers to a minimum, enableling the kelp forest to flourish.

Students told me that they also found marine life was friendlier at the reserve, allowing the students to closely observe marine life.

Kaitaia Intermediate student Andrew Bennie made a two minute speech to the Honorable Chris Carter, identifying the differences that he saw at both places, at Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World as part of the launch of Seaweek 2006.

Kaitaia Intermediates class action project was to survey the community to gage views on marine threats and attitudes towards marine reserves in Kaitaia.

Delivery to Kaitaia Intermediate was made possible thanks to the Pacific Development and Conservation Trust.

Finalists for the Poor Knights competition trip were: Ranee Bell, Bernadine Gladding & Brandon Neho. Brandon Neho won the trip to the Poor Knights.