Experiencing Marine Reserves

EMR Auckland - a history

Department of Conservation

The EMR programme has been operational in Northland since 2002. EMR in Northland is run under the auspices of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust (formerly known as Ngā Maunga ki te Moana Conservation Trust). A 2003 agreement between the Department of Conservation and Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust made the EMR programme available to other parts of New Zealand . EMR was first piloted in the Auckland region in 2004, with support from the Department of Conservation

In 2006 two schools took part in the EMR programme, funded by the Department of Conservation (DoC): Te Huruhi Primary School (Waiheke Island), and Takapuna Normal Intermediate School. The marine biodiversity workshops had some great treasure chest items donated by DoC, Auckland University of Technology and Kelly Tarltons, including some weird and wonderful deep sea specimens such as a ‘glow in the dark shark’.

Te Huruhi students on Waiheke have continued to be involved in their local marine reserve ‘Te Matuku’ since first participating in EMR in 2005. Te Huruhi have also lead projects to help build awareness of Maui dolphins.

WWF - Marine Matters programme

Te Huruhi and Waiheke primary schools involvment in EMR in 2008 was supported by WWF and the Auckland Marine Matters programme. Marie-anne was the coordinator, she was on a Royal Society Fellowship

Member Login