With Glendene School and Kelston Intermediate School
Last Monday, Te Whau Pathway Project hosted a Nature Day at Craigavon Park for children from Glendene Primary School and Kelston Intermediate.
The day started with Christine Caughey warmly sharing the tale of her Irish great-great aunt. Marianne Smith, one of the founders of the iconic Smith & Caughey’s department store, bought the land from an ad in the New Zealand Herald in 1896. In 1929, Lord Craigavon (Northern Ireland’s first Prime Minister) visited Auckland and Marianne gifted the park back to the people of Tāmaki Makaurau to mark the occasion.
Over the day, the 90 students rotated through sessions about predators, native birds and the Whau River environment. Of course, the most popular activities were the messy ones! Who knew that digging holes in mud could be so much fun? Luckily there were plenty of water sources in the park for kids to de-mudify themselves between activities.
Auckland Council prepared the day with an opening karakia and Kelston Intermediate finished the day with a karakia whakamutunga.
Thank you to all the teachers, teacher aides, and supporting whānau who came. We hope you enjoyed it in spite of the mudfest!
About Nature Days
Te Whau Pathway Project organises Nature Days for schools in the Whau Catchment Area to get outdoors, plant a tree, and learn about the unique natural environment beyond the school gates. Nature Days connect kids to their local environment.
Photo gallery
About this event
| Date | Monday 31st July 2023 |
| Location | Craigavon Park, Blockhouse Bay |
| Type of event | Nature Day, Planting Day |
| Who | Auckland Council, Community Waitakere, EcoMatters, Glendene School, Kelston Intermediate School, MPHS Community Trust, Te Whau Pathway Environment Trust, Te Whau Pathway Project, Whau the People, Whau River Catchment Trust |