Prizes worth just under $1000 were handed out thanks to support from Matihetihe Marae, the Far North District Council, Papa Taiao and local families. Whanau competed to collect the greatest weight in pyura, while children collected prizes for the biggest specimens (the winner measured 70mm across). One student, Mary Baxter, single-handedly gathered a hefty 78kg.
Aaron McCloy, moana restoration programme facilitator, said problem-solving and taking responsibility were at the heart of all Papa Taiao courses.
"The great thing about this project is that the students and the local community have identified an issue, banded together, then taken action to solve it."
Te Kura Taumata o Panguru tumuaki Mina Pomare-Peita said in the past pyura was known as titikura, and was eaten by locals.
"As the years have gone past and people have left the community, the pyura has become a pest because fewer people are eating it," she said.
"I was shown how to cook it, and it tastes good, but it's out-competing our kutai. Like our tupuna, when something threatens our food source we have to fight to protect it. This is modern kaitiakitanga."
Allen Karena, the competition's student leader, had no words to describe his gratitude to those who took part.
"Kutai is a taonga. We all love kai moana, and we don't want to lose it," he said.
Mr McCloy said a rise in sea temperatures of 0.2 degrees could also be a factor the spread of pyura.
