NZAEE Seaweek 2018 ‘Ocean Champion’ Winner Announced

NZAEE Seaweek 2018 ‘Ocean Champion’ Winner Announced

NZAEE Seaweek is delighted to announce that the NZAEE Seaweek “Ocean Champion” for 2018 is Experiencing Marine Reserves founding Director Samara Nicholas. Samara is currently in the Kermedecs with the Sir Peter Blake Trust.

The New Zealand Coastal Society (NZCS) is sponsoring the initiative by donating the equivalent of $500 prize money towards the winner’s work which was presented by NZCS Chair Hugh Leersnyder at tonight’s Bill Ballantine Memorial Lecture at the University of Auckland.

“NZAEE Seaweek and the New Zealand Coastal Society congratulate Samara Nicholas and all of this year’s nominees for inspiring us all with their work. They are all Ocean Champions and anyone can be one, just by taking care of their local beach. That’s the kind of guardianship that we hope the Ocean Champions programme will inspire in everyone,” Hugh said.

NZAEE Seaweek National Coordinator Dr Mels Barton was delighted that Samara Nicholas had come out on top.

“The Ocean Champion initiative celebrates all those individuals, groups and organizations who work so hard to look after our seas and the marine life that lives in them. It is wonderful to have a winner who has dedicated her life to inspiring future generations to value and protect our marine environment. So we are delighted to be able to recognise and celebrate her work and that of all the nominees who are all equally deserving“ she said.

The theme for NZAEE’s Seaweek 2018 is “Toiora te Moana – Toiora te Tangata – Healthy Seas, Healthy People”. The theme highlights how important it is to look after the sea in order to maintain our own health and wellbeing.

The collaboration between NZAEE SeaWeek and the NZCS coastalsociety.org.nz is a partnership that will continue and expand for the benefit of New Zealand’s ocean and coastal communities.

More than 250 events are scheduled around the country during NZAEE Seaweek 2018 from March 3-11, and these are all listed on the NZAEE Seaweek website at www.seaweek.org.nz.

You can see all the Seaweek 2018 Ocean Champion nominees here: http://seaweek.org.nz/nominate-your-ocean-champion/

ENDS