Students out to fight the spread of aquatic pests in Rotorua

Te Wakaunua Te Kurapa and Jemma Hippolite will be out at the lakes including Lake Tikitapu raising awareness about aquatic pests. Photo / Supplied

Having grown up in Rotorua, Te Wakaunua Te Kurapa is used to spending summers on the region's lakes.

But this one will be slightly different as he and fellow Bay of Plenty Regional Council summer student Jemma Hippolite spend the holiday period out and about educating those enjoying the region's lakes on how to prevent the spread of all aquatic pests including catfish, hornwort and didymo.

The pair will talk to thousands of people over the summer months – from retail outlets and backpacker hostel staff, through to those swimming, boating and fishing.

Te Kurapa and Hippolite have been out for the past month talking to people and say the awareness is varied.

"We're employed to gauge awareness around aquatic pests."

As part of that they are carrying out a survey asking people what pests they know exist in Rotorua lakes, what can be done to prevent them and what they need to do if they find pests on their equipment.

Hippolite said it all centred around two key messages – Stop the Spread and Check Clean Dry.

"We want to make sure people are aware that even a small fragment of weed transferred from one lake to another can be hazardous, which is why it's important to check all equipment before launching to ensure we stop the spread of unwanted pests."

Hippolite said the level of awareness had been mixed, but the response had been overwhelmingly positive.

"Even those who are aware of the messages are really happy to see us out there doing the work we are doing."

Te Kurapa said coming from an environmental background – his father worked for the Department of Conservation – protecting the environment had always been a part of him.

He is studying a Bachelor of Environmental Planning at Waikato University, and said the summer role was a great extension of his studies.

"For me growing up locally, I'm really familiar with the Rotorua lakes but I wasn't sure about the technical side so this was a great opportunity to grow that knowledge."

Hippolite also has a science background, having finished a degree in biology from the University of Canterbury.

Originally from Nelson, Hippolite grew up spending time in the outdoors – hunting, fishing and diving.

She said a key attraction of the summer job was being able to put her passion and knowledge to work in an environment which could benefit from that.

For more information on how to clean your boat when going between lakes and waterways visit www.rotorualakes.co.nz/check-clean-dry or www.boprc.govt.nz/aquaticpests.