Note: This Expedition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 Alert Level 3 Auckland lockdown that was in place at the time of departure.

On 1 March 2021 fifteen young New Zealanders and five school teachers will join a team of environmental leaders and scientists from Massey University, NIWA and Auckland Museum on a scientific voyage of discovery to the Kermadec Islands / Rangitāhua as part of BLAKE’s fifth BLAKE Expeditions programme.

Located halfway between New Zealand and Tonga, Rangitāhua is one of New Zealand’s largest marine reserves and identified as one of only four pristine marine environments on Earth, with a fully functioning marine ecosystem.

The student crew consists of 15 high school and University aged students from Dunedin to Kerikeri. Each student and teacher has previously participated in our annual BLAKE Inspire or BLAKE Inspire for Teachers programmes.

The Kermadec Islands are 1,000 km northeast of New Zealand and are a significant conservation area for both New Zealand and the world. They’re the visible surface of a chain of about 80 volcanoes, stretching between Tonga and New Zealand. The current marine reserve was created in 1990 and covers 745,000 ha’s and supports New Zealand’s only truly subtropical marine systems.

As New Zealand’s only subtropical marine system, and being abundant with marine wildlife, it’s the perfect environment to help us address climate and ecological challenges now and in the future.

BLAKE Expeditions is a once in a lifetime opportunity for delegates to combine marine science and research with an ocean adventure on board a Royal New Zealand Navy ship.

BLAKE Expeditions aim to ignite and fuel a passion for the environment and its ongoing protection.