NZAEE Seaweek has opened voting to find the Seaweek “Ocean Champion” for 2019. Voting will run from Sunday 10 February to Friday 1 March 2019. Visit the Seaweek website at seaweek.org.nz to vote for your senior “Ocean Champion” and celebrate all those individuals, groups and organizations who work so hard to look after our seas and the marine life that lives in them.

NZAEE has received four entries in our Senior competition, each of which outlines an “Ocean Challenge” that they will complete to tackle a problem facing the world’s oceans. They represent a wonderful mixture of individuals and groups, with a student, a mum, an early learning centre and a voluntary organisation.

The winner will be announced during Seaweek 2019 and will receive a prize equivalent to $500 towards their work donated by the New Zealand Coastal Society.

The Junior Ocean Champion competition attracted eight entries and the prize draw winners will be announced during Seaweek. The prizes include a family pass for the Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari plus Rainbows End passes and Burnsco child gift packs donated by the Outboard Boating Club of Auckland.
Seaweek National Coordinator Dr Mels Barton says:

“The Ocean Champion initiative celebrates all those individuals, groups and organizations who work so hard to look after our seas and their abundant marine life. We threw down the gauntlet this year to ask entrants to undertake their own challenge to improve the oceans and the entries we’ve received are truly inspiring. It shows that people really do care and want to go the extra mile to protect the ocean for all of us.”

The theme for this year’s Seaweek, which runs from Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 March 2019, is “Tiakina o Tātou Mōana – Care for our Seas”.

“Events are starting to flood in for Seaweek 2019. We are listing these on the website at seaweek.org.nz as we receive them, so check regularly to see what’s happening in your area.”

The Seaweek team would love to hear what events your family, school or group is planning to explore this year’s theme, “Toiora te Moana - Toiora te Tangata, Healthy Seas - Healthy People” and help you with publicity and resources. Please let the National Coordinator, Mels Barton know your ideas and plans: mels@subliminal.co.nz

Seaweek 2019 is coordinated by the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE) supported by Foundation North, Department of Conservation, Fisheries New Zealand, New Zealand Marine Studies Centre (Otago University), Environment Canterbury Regional Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, The National Aquarium - Napier City Council, Kiwi North, Wild for Taranaki, New Zealand Coastal Society, Young Ocean Explorers, Experiencing Marine Reserves, Manukau Beautification Charitable Trust, Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari, Outboard Boating Club, Canoe and Kayak, Fish4all, Harper Collins Publishers and many local sponsors.

© Scoop Media