Children attending total immersion Maori language schools in the Bay of Plenty have a new tool to learn about their environment.

Cathy Black from Te Whare Kura o Ruatoki demonstrates the new resource.

Teachers from kura (Maori immersion schools), local kohanga reo (pre-schools) and whare wananga (Maori university) throughout the Bay of Plenty have just attended a workshop at Te Hokowhitu Marae in Whakatane to learn more about a new Enviroschools resource produced in the Maori language and from a Maori perspective.

The new resource, called ‘He Kete Taiao, Ko au ko koe, ko koe ko au', was launched recently by the Enviroschools Foundation in Northland and it is the first time it has been available for schools to use.

The book is a collection of resources, activities and case studies around sustainable learning which follows Punaha Akoako, an ‘enquiry learning' model that encourages students to follow their interests and answer their own questions. It promotes taking action for the environment and reflecting on the success of their work.

The content acknowledges Maori diversity, dynamism and approaches to environmental action. A range of concepts are explored, from the protection of mauri or life force of rivers to story telling.

National director of Enviroschools, Heidi Mardon, says a Maori perspective was also an integral part of the English language Enviroschools programme.

'The response from the Bay of Plenty regional education sector to be part of the Enviroschools journey has been significant,” says Heidi.

'In 2003 the Enviroschools kaupapa was taken on board by schools across the region and by 2007 there were more than 75 schools and early childhood centres involved.

'The Enviroschools Foundation and Te Mauri Tau in Raglan worked together with the regional council to produce such an outstanding book.

'For kura the day was a chance to gain insight to the journey and for facilitators to share back aspects of the new He Kete Taiao.”