Wellington gets into Seaweek

Wellington gets into Seaweek

Greater Wellington is the place to be for this year's national Seaweek, which will run between Saturday 27 February and Sunday 8 March to encourage people to "Look beneath the surface - Papatai ō roto - Papatai ō raro"

A host of events will focus on the theme, including coastal and underwater clean-ups, guided coastal walks, a sandcastle competition, training in underwater photography, expert lectures and a range of activities for schools. 

"Wellington is surrounded by the sea. It is vital to our economy, our recreation and our biodiversity, yet for many of us it is still a mystery. Seaweek will help to unravel what’s under its surface and build greater understanding and appreciation of its value," says Wellington region Seaweek coordinator Janey Hilford.

Regional Seaweek events will be co-ordinated by Greater Wellington Regional Council, which is also funding a public snorkelling event at Whitirieia Park on 28 February (back-up day 7 March) to enable people to get up close and personal with our native marine biodiversity. The session will be led by experts from the Island Bay Marine Education Centre and is part of Greater Wellington Regional Council's Great Outdoors Summer Events programme.

Seaweek is New Zealand's annual national week about the sea. Hosted nationally by the NZ Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE), Seaweek focuses on learning about the sea. It's about inspiring all New Zealanders to renew their connections with the sea. Seaweek is not just for children or those involved with formal education, it's for everyone to get to know our ocean, its habitats, characteristics and inhabitants.

Details of activities are:

Coastal Clean-up of the Chatham Islands - Friday 27 February to Sunday 1 March

SEAWEEK SNORKEL Explore Whitireia Regional Park Coast - Saturday 28 February (back-up day 7 March)

Raumati Beach and Wharemauku Stream Clean-up with K?piti College - 28 February (back-up day 1 March)

Guided walk along Te Ara Piko, skirting the northern shore of Pauatahanui Inlet - Sunday 1 March

Petone beach underwater clean-up - Sunday 1 March

Whangaimoana to Lake Ferry Beach clean-up - 4th March 2015

Moa point treatment plant tours - Wellington's South Coast - Tuesday 3 and Thursday 5 March

Introduction to underwater photography - Wellington's South coast - Sunday 8th March

Petone beach clean-up and sandcastle competition - Sunday 8th March

Victoria University Coastal Ecology Lab (VUCEL) Open Day - Saturday 7 March

SEAWEEK SNORKEL Island Bay Marine Education Centre - Sunday 8 March (back-up day 15 March)

Sea Cleaners: Hayden Smith's lecture tour - Tuesday 10 March

Marine Metre Squared Kit

For more information on how to book for these events, go to http://seaweek.org.nz/events/wellington/

ENDS

Further information: Janey Hilford 04 830 4275;Janey.hilford@gw.govt.nz