Annual NRC Youth Summit in Whangarei this month

Thirty-nine students from 20 Northland schools will gather for a special Youth Summit at Whangarei’s Onerahi foreshore this month (subs: Thursday 23 October) to discuss coastal environmental issues – and what they can do to make a difference.

The day-long workshop, organised by Northland Regional Council, is held annually and brings together Year Seven and Eight students (Form One and Two) nominated by schools from throughout Northland.

The Thursday 23 October summit is built around a coastal marine theme and investigates ways in which young people can take an active role in the sustainable management of Northland’s coast.

Regional Council staff will work with students on a variety of subjects related to coastal marine management, as well as leading students through a mock resource consent hearing.

Students will also develop action plans to help them deal with the extensive range of coastal environmental issues that they have already identified as concerns.

These include:

dotterel eggs being eaten by dogs and cats
oil spills
sewage overflows
cowshed runoff
Bay of Islands pollution


The free summit – the 13th hosted by the Council - will be held at Onerahi Yacht Club between 8.40am and 4pm.

Students will be attending from the following schools: Aranga School, Bream Bay College, Broadwood Area School, Dargaville Intermediate, Kamo Intermediate, Kawakawa School, Kerikeri High School, Mangakahia Area School, Okaihau College, Oruaiti School, Parua Bay School, Pompallier College, Ruawai College, Springbank School, Tangiteroria School, Tikipunga High School, Whangarei Christian Renewal School, Whangarei Heads School, Whangarei Intermediate and Whangaroa College.