Omokoroa Point School is a Decile 9 full primary school (Year 1 to Year 8 - N.E. to Form 2) with seven classrooms. It is the only school on the peninisula and is located in possibly the most scenic setting in NZ. They have been involved in WaNZ projects for a number of years with the help of principal Hugh Smith and Pest Free Omokoroa. Classroom and fieldtrip sessions usually only include the senior year 5/6 class.

Recent Events

Inunga Rescue 

 In March 2009 Year 5/6 assisted in the rescue and release of hundreds of Inunga trapped in water-holes created by localized high scale flooding. This activity captured the hearts and passions of the students who were able to see the effect of heavy rainfall on the environment and the species within it.  

 Bird Monitoring

Room 5 students monitored their school grounds and local reserve for bird life, by looking, listening and observing different bird calls and movements and recording their data. Ms Kenny's class had been listening to the bird calls on CD all week, so their skills were put into real world practice. The class returned from their different habitat types to discuss the varied results. The class concluded that the most abundant native bird life was found in the block of natives trees, highlighting the importance of specific tree types for the survival and visitation of our native birds in and to our suburbs

Small Pest Animal Monitoring

In May the students walked along the peninsula looking for pests (rodents and mustelids). It is part of a regular monitoring cycle to check on progress made by Omokoroa Pest Free. The incoming tide posed an extra challenge and shoes and socks were discarded. It all added fun and a challenge to a great outdoor environmental activity.  Students were taken on a convenient walk from their school down to Precious Reserve and then along the beach towards Hamurana Reserve. 12 "Black trakka" monitoring stations were laid by the students one day and results gathered and recorded the following day.

While finding no rat or mice footprints is desirable, a variety of footprints brings out maximum student enthusiasm. 

The used tracking prints were given to the students  for further discussion and use in class by Mrs Kenny. For a full description of the monitoring results, click here.

Conservation Week 2008

In September Conservation week occurred, an annual Department of Conservation initiative, which saw the class involved in 3 seperate activities. This year's theme was "Meet the locals", encouraging New Zealanders to meet their local native fauna and flora.  

First the class focussed on lizards, an unfortunately rare animal in the area. Students were excited by the lizard tracked earlier in the year during their trakka monitoring run so the reptiles were chosen as an animal to study. As well as an informative classroom session, students built a lizard house on the school grounds using materials from around the school. It is hoped lizards will migrate to the area and remain onsite for future students to study.  

A second activity involved plant identification and the important difference between native and non-native plants, particularly the pest weeds in the area. A trip to a local reserve allowed students to gather samples of selected plants and make a herbarium. Additionally, during the trip a Weta Condo site was selected and Weta Condo attached to a suitable tree. Hopefully more local wetas will colonise the site, increasing the biodiversity in the area.

The final activity saw the class meet some avian and human locals! Pest Free Omokoroa volunteers conduct regular bird surveys in the area to monitor bird numbers and species. The students were classroom prepared all week by Mrs Kenny with bird call and bird image recognition. The class was divided  up with PFO bird surveyers and 5 minute bird counts were conducted in locations close to the school. Students gained alot out of the activity, as previously many kids were unsure of some of our most common native birds! A big thank you to Trina Watts and her bird surveyers for helping on the day. 

Water Quality Monitoring

In conjunction with World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD) Year 5-6 students took part in water quality surveying in the Puketoki Stream in Puketoki Reserve. WWMD aims to have people globally testing water quality and hope for 1 million participants in 100 countries. Student results are sent to the USA where the data is collated in a global review.

In groups, the students tested four main parameters: Water temperature, pH (acidity), turbidity (clarity) and dissolved oxygen. Average results:

In summary the students discovered the Puketoki Stream to be in very good health. Unfortunately heavy showers prevented the students from conducting a macroinvertebrate survey - much to the relief of wet parents who assisted in the transport to the Reserve! A big thank you to all who helped out on the day.