Seaweek snorkel day at East Coast marine reserve fully booked

Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve marine reserve, accessible through Pouawa, is the focus for a community snorkel day on Sunday as part of Seaweek.

A popular snorkel day at Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve will mark Seaweek 2026, which runs from February 28 to March 8.

The community snorkel event is being run by the Department of Conservation (DoC) and Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) and is fully booked, with more than 100 people of various ages signing up.

Participants will be taken on a guided tour of the reserve’s reef.

Around 100 people of all ages took part in the community snorkel day last year. Another such day is being held this weekend.

The day will also feature a sausage sizzle, sandcastle competitions and spot prizes.

The event has been organised by He Awa Ora, He Tai Ora Trust – the Tairāwhiti provider organisation for the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust education programmes.

“Seaweek is a nationwide, collaborative, community-led initiative to bring all people together to celebrate the wonders of the ocean and explore the ways our lives are connected to it,” a spokeswoman said.

“Seaweek inspires individuals, schools and communities through fun, engaging and accessible experiences to connect with the ocean and each other, and to take action to protect it for future generations.”