Kids Greening Taupō takes environment to heart

Kids young and old have been brought together through their love for the environment through Kids Greening Taupō.

Kids Greening Taupō's student leadership initiative is a new programme aimed at making future leaders as well as preserving the environment. The programme is open to the whole district, for year 6 to year 13 students.

The new student leaders had their first meeting on March 26. Three of the older students, Jessica Kok, James Gaddum, and Tanya Walley, say that the Kids Greening Taupō coordinators Thea DePetris and Sian Moffitt really get involved with the kids and find out what interests them.

"If a particular kid is really interested in bugs, we build on that here and use it as a way to get them interested in nature."

They say that the real goal of Kids Greening Taupō is to get kids outdoors and get their hands dirty.

"Keeping nature healthy keeps kids healthy," says Jessica.

Many of the student leaders said it was a love for nature and a passion for becoming a leader that had inspired them to join.

The new Kids Greening Taupo student leaders, ready to make a difference. Photo / Kate Drinnan

There were a few out-of-towners at the meeting, some from Masterton. Most were keen to take the Kids Greening idea to their home towns.

Sian said their plan for 2019 was to focus on conservation and leadership skills and self-development.

"We want to really learn as much as we can, so we can go back and show our peers."

Kids Greening Taupō leaders have 10 meetings a year, each based on a different theme: future planning, Aotearoa restoration, communication, Māori perspective and more.

After the meeting they went outdoors for games followed by reflection discussing the pros and cons of each game, what worked and what didn't. Improving the dynamics of the game was the goal.

More leadership sessions are planned to help the young people become real leaders and make a difference in the Taupō community through helping the environment.