Students from more than 12 Bay of Plenty schools are competing in Rotorua on Wednesday morning to construct the best eco hut.
This is part of the Enviroschools Eco Hut Challenge, where students are using recyclable and reusable materials to build sustainable habitats that will be judged.

Sunset Primary School's eco hut.

It is hoped that the Eco Hut Challenge inspires these students and their communities to build more ecologically friendly buildings in the future, says Environment BOP education officer Sally-Anne Daniell.
'Ecological building principles, like using recycled materials, north-oriented buildings and insulation can be easily incorporated into new building designs and can create warmer, healthier homes with less environmental impacts.”
'Some of these principles can also be used in existing homes. Hanging thermal backed curtains or wrapping your hot water heater are easy ways to prevent heat loss and in your home saving you money and helping the environment.”
The Eco Hut Challenge is part of the diverse Enviroschools programme supported by Environment BOP which encourages students to instinctively think and act sustainably.