Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 18 December 2025
The inaugural Department of Conservation Aotea Kaitiaki competition brought together the island’s three primary schools to share stories of protecting the environment.
Students aged 5 to 10 from Okiwi School, Mulberry Grove School, and Kaitoke School entered stories inspired by their own experiences or their imagination.
Cara Fraider, DOC community ranger, says that the DOC staff were all impressed by the great storytelling “The children shared a wonderful range of thoughtful and creative stories, reflecting the students’ strong connection to caring for the environment. We would like to thank all the students who participated and wrote such excellent pieces,” says Cara.
The first prize was an experience of a lifetime: the winners of each school will be involved in an upcoming DOC translocation of nationally vulnerable niho taniwha/chevron skink to Aotea.
This is part of an aspirational goal for DOC to work with iwi, community and other organisations to bring five taonga species to Aotea and its surrounding pest-free islands over the next five years. There are hopes to welcome kiwi, wētāpunga, tuatara and kōkako.
Winners also received a Whitcoulls voucher and a certificate, and vouchers were given to the second and third place storytellers.
Leanne Eloff, Principal of Kaitoke School welcomed the competition.
“The children really enjoyed writing their stories. We will look at keeping this going.”
With the success and great feedback, DOC will make this an annual event.
NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE
Nature isn’t scenery. Nature is a society that we rely on for everything, every day. It’s behind our identity and our way of life.
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