Students shape environment strategy

Sir Peter Blake Trust chief executive Shelley Campbell said it was the only programme of its kind in New Zealand. Photo / File

Three Rotorua students will represent their city at an environmental forum at the Energy Events Centre next week.

The Sir Peter Blake Youth Enviroleaders Forum (YELF) will bring 52 Year 11-13 students from around New Zealand together to explore environmental issues facing the country.

Hamish Dodd, a Year 11 student at Rotorua Lakes High School; Tamahauiti Potaka, who is in Year 12 at Rotorua Boys' High School; and Loren Skudder-Hill, a Year 12 student at John Paul College, have been chosen to represent Rotorua.

They were selected from hundreds of applicants because of their experience of environmental work.

Hamish has been involved with DoC tracking and baiting programmes in the Tikitapu Scenic Reserve, while Tamahauiti is a member of the environmental awareness team at his school. Loren is on the environmental and energy audit forums at John Paul College, and is a UN Youth High School Ambassador.

YELF will focus on fresh water management, planning and eco-tourism and how to develop strategies to address issues relating to these.

Sir Peter Blake Trust chief executive Shelley Campbell said it was the only programme of its kind in New Zealand.

"Students tell us they've had one of the best weeks of their lives. They've met people with the same passion for the environment. They come out of it fired up, capable and ready to create change in their schools and communities.

"This is a really hands-on, exciting week. Sir Peter was a huge advocate of the importance of inspiring our young people through challenging adventures. They'll have fun and we'll lift their potential."

The students will learn about eco-tourism in Rotorua and how tourism and sustainability complement each other. During the forum students will visit, engage with and learn about eco-tourism and environmental projects.

Delegates will visit Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti and learn about land use management, lake water quality management and how the different stakeholders in the community are managing these.

Speakers at the forum include Sir Peter Blake Trust alumni, Ministry for the Environment staff, local and national politicians, subject experts, business and community leaders.

YELF is run in conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment.