Local teacher Elizabeth Webster from Omokoroa No.1 School has been selected for the inaugural BLAKE Inspire for Teachers programme.

The five-day residential programme runs from September 30 to October 4 in Auckland and brings together 29 primary and intermediate teachers from across New Zealand who want to gain a deeper understanding of environmental issues and deliver environmental education to their students.

BLAKE Inspire for Teachers is funded by the Ministry of Education, with support from Ministry for the Environment, and has been specifically designed by BLAKE for teachers who are passionate about developing their environmental knowledge.

The programme aims to provide teachers with experiential learning opportunities and develop their ability to translate the experience to their students to encourage environmental action.

BLAKE CEO, James Gibson, says BLAKE Inspire for Teachers is BLAKE's newest programme designed to reach even more people, particularly young New Zealanders.

'Sir Peter Blake wanted to reach every classroom in New Zealand to inspire our rangatahi to protect the environment. BLAKE Inspire for Teachers is a new way of achieving this. By teaching the teachers and developing both their knowledge and confidence so they can integrate environmental education into their own school programmes means we're reaching more and more children,” says James.

BLAKE Inspire is run in partnership with the Ministry of Education. MoE Acting Deputy Secretary of Early Learning and Student Achievement, Pauline Cleaver, says 'the ministry is pleased to be able to offer opportunities for more teachers to upskill in new environments.”

During the week delegates will be teamed with world-leading scientists, environmental leaders, experts in their fields and businesses to learn about topical issues such as climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity and ocean and freshwater health.

They will be involved in range of activities including:

Developing leadership skills through a range of field trips, workshops and exercises throughout the week.

Visiting Orakei Marae for to learn about Mātauranga Māori.

Learning about climate change and taking part in a sustainable energy workshop with Genesis Energy.

Learning about how future impacts of climate change may affect the environment. They will also take part in a climate change workshop.

Addressing a range of topical environmental issues facing New Zealand, including biodiversity challenges and learning about the Predator Free 2050 goal.

Visiting, engaging and learning about the importance of estuaries and landscape management to improve water quality and environmental performance – facilitated by Auckland Council.

Visiting predator-free Tiritiri Matangi Island in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf and learning about its conservation programme.

Participating in a hosted tour of Air New Zealand's engineering base to learn about energy efficiency – both on the ground and in the air; and the waste management and biosecurity approaches by airline caterer LSG.

Visiting Villa Maria winery to learn about their innovation and sustainable business practices.