NZ-VR Individual Action / Kaitiakitanga
In our NZ-VR lessons, the two main threats that we teach ākonga about are overfishing and pollution. Below are actions that you can take to show kaitiakitanga for our environment.
Overfishing / Hao Tuhene
Below are ways in which you can show kaitiakitanga and take action for our environment by preventing overfishing
Know your species limits
If you want to fish recreationally in New Zealand, you’re legally required to follow the fishing rules. These change often and are different around the country. Check your local rules each time before you go fishing. To do that, head to Fisheries New Zealand or download the NZ Fishing Rules app
Only take what you need
To help prevent overfishing, don’t use the above fishing limits as a goal. Use these limits as a guide and take the responsibility on yourself. Only fish for what you and your whānau will eat.
Check the "best fish guide"
Overfishing and the way we fish can deplete fish stocks, kill other marine species, and damage our marine environment. Eating sustainably caught seafood can help reduce the damage we do to our marine environment. Before purchasing fish from your supermarket or restaurant, check the Forest and Bird’s Best Fish Guide for details as to the best fish to buy.
Explore different foods from our ocean
By spreading our impact across many species within the ocean, we don’t have as great an impact on the marine food chain.
Support protected areas
Support our marine reserves and protected areas – find out where your nearest one is and visit it to experience what a pristine marine environment looks like. Just remember, while in these areas, respect the rules that are in place to protect the environment.
Also, by writing petitions, letters or using social media to communicate with the NZ government to let them know that we want to protect more of the marine environment.
Spread the word
Share the knowledge. Take the lessons you have learned from living a more sustainable and environmentally consious lifestyle and share it with people around you.
Pollution / Parahanga
Below are ways in which you can show kaitiakitanga and take action for our environment by preventing pollution
Don't litter
If you have rubbish or see litter around in your community, make sure to put it in the right place- the rubbish, recycling or compost bins (depending on what type of rubbish you have). When out and about, if there are no bins, hold on to your rubbish until you find one.
Only rain down the drain
Stormwater drains and their contents flow out to the ocean. Pollutants like car wash, detergents and household wastewater can enter our stormwater drains.
Also, within our homes, flushing items like tampons, wet wipes, and medicine or putting fat, oil or grease down the drain can block our wastewater system. The overflow can run into our waterways and harm aquatic life.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse
Individuals hold what we call ‘purchasing power’. By choosing more sustainable, environmentally friendly products to buy, there becomes less demand for single-use plastic products. When there is less demand for a product, buyers are sending a message to those creating the products that they don’t need or want them and the producers (big companies) then make less. There are plenty of alternatives to single-use items. Try swapping one thing at a time Try buy items in packaging that can be recycled. Use reusable items like beeswax wraps, drink bottles, cutlery and straws.
Help clean up your community
Rubbish pollutes our coastlines and enters our marine environments. Picking up rubbish is an easy way to reduce pollution in our waterways, on our beaches and in our oceans. You can do this as you are walking around your community or through registered organisations, like Sustainable Coastlines, or through registered events, like the International Coastal Cleanup
Planting along streams and rivers
Rubbish and sediment pollution from a stream or river can wash into the ocean. This is harmful to our marine species and habitats. Planting along the sides of local waterways can not only help filter what ends up in local waterways, it can also help stabilise the banks, in turn reducing erosion and creating excellent habitats for a range of important creatures. If you need idea’s on what to plant see Trees That Count
Spread the word
Share the knowledge. Take the lessons you have learned from living a more sustainable and environmentally consious lifestyle and share it with people around you.
For further ideas and inspiration, check out the resources below.
Ministry for the Environment
BLAKE News and Stories
New Zealand Association for
Environmental Education