There will be Seaweek 2020 events happening in Waikato, full details will be posted here as we receive them. Contact the Waikato Regional Coordinators if you’d like to organise an event: Whāingaroa Environment Centre – email: admin@envirocentre.org.nz, phone: 07 839 4452
Waikato Seaweek 2020 Events:
Marine Matters Science Night – Effects of climate change on our marine environment. -Wednesday 4 March 6:30 pm
Seaweek Inner Harbour Beach Clean: Part 1 – Saturday 7 March at 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Community Clean-up Under the Mangroves with Treasure Hunt/Quiz – Saturday 7 March 11:30 am
Seaweek Inner Harbour Beach Clean: Part 2 – Saturday 7 March at 1:00 – 3:00 PM
What: Marine Matters Science night – Effects of climate change on our marine environment. 
Where: Orca Eatery
When: Wednesday 4 March 6:30 pm
Details: The Whāingaroa Environment Centre’s “Marine Matters” project brings another free community science night to town – All welcome!! Our 5th edition of Science Night focuses on the effects of climate change on our marine environment. The night begins at 6:30 PM, so come early and grab some nibbles, a drink and a good seat! View Facebook event here.
Speakers: Stine Sorensen and Shelley Brandt.
Both are PhD candidates from the University of Waikato
We hope you are looking forward to our Science Night next week. A quick introduction on our two fantastic speakers Shelly Brandt and Stine Sorensen:
Shelly is studying towards her PhD at the University of Waikato and is a marine microbiologist who is part of a team of researchers working to investigate the effects of climate change, specifically that of ocean acidification, on microbial communities in coastal marine sediments across New Zealand. Shelly will be talking to us about how these complex marine ecosystems will respond and adjust to an acidifying oceanic environment in the years to come.
Stine is a marine ecologist and also PhD candidate at the University of Waikato. For the past four years, Stine’s research has focused on seagrass ecosystems in New Zealand and Australia. She is interested in seagrasses because they are important ecosystem engineers and are crucial to maintaining the health and stability of their environment. “In a rapidly changing environment, it is essential that we aim to understand the ability of key species to adapt and how this, in turn, influences their resilience.” Stine’s talk will introduce this important primary producer, that exists right here in Whaingaroa Harbour, and will discuss the current challenges that seagrass ecosystems are facing.
Its going to be an interesting evening, come enjoy some drinks and nibbles with us!
What: Seaweek Inner Harbour Beach Clean – Part 1
Where: Raglan Backpackers, 6 Wi Neera St, Raglan, New Zealand 3225
When: Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Details: Seaweek is NZ’s annual national week to celebrate our coastlines and renew connections with the sea. What better way to do this than to come together as a community to care for our coastline?
This year the Seaweek beach clean in Raglan is in 2 parts, a “high tide”clean by kayak of the Kaitoki creek from 8.30 – 10.30am and a “low tide” beach clean of the inner harbour from 1-3pm.
Part 1: Raglan backpackers have provided kayaks for 10 people, please email our Marine Matters co-coordinator at marine@whaingaroa.org.nz or visit the Whāingaroa Environment Centre if you would like to book a seat on a kayak otherwise bring your own kayak and meet outside Raglan Backpackers at 8.30am. Previous kayaking experience and footwear suitable for walking in mud (wetsuit booties/old sandshoes) essential.
All participants will receive a jar of the supper yummy “Raglan Coconut yoghurt”
Visit the facebook event page!
What: Community Clean-up under the Mangroves with Treasure Hunt/Quiz
Where: Karaka Bird Hide on the Thames Coastal Walkway (beside Brown Street)
When: Saturday 7 March 11:30 am
Details: All welcome to this community event celebrating both Seaweek and the 20th anniversary of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park . Kick off is at 11.30am and people can join in at any time until 2pm. Along with exploring under the mangroves and helping wildlife by removing rubbish, you will also be able to enjoy a treasure hunt/quiz with prizes and learn about what makes this area so special. Bring drink, gumboots/sturdy shoes; and gloves, bags/buckets if you can. Snacks have kindly been donated by Pak’ n Save Thames. Contact for more info: Maree Limpus: mlimpus@doc.govt.nz
What: Seaweek Inner Harbour Beach Clean – Part 2
Where: Kaitoki – Please Park on Stewart Street to avoid congesting Backpacker entrance
When: Saturday 7 March from 1-3pm
Details: Seaweek is NZ’s annual national week to celebrate our coastlines and renew connections with the sea. What better way to do this than to come together as a community to clean up our coastline?
This year the Seaweek beach clean here in Raglan is in 2 parts:
Part 2: a “low tide” beach clean of the inner harbour from 1-3pm. This clean up by foot, will remove trash from between the bridges and prevent this rubbish impacting our marine environment. Meet at Raglan Backpackers at 1pm. We will scour both the Papahua Domain side of the harbour and the town side so we recommend you bring footwear and gloves. View this event on facebook. All participants will receive a jar of the super yummy “Raglan Coconut yogurt”
