FOCUS: Taunga o te Moana – Water Guardians youth ocean education and conservation

SUMMARY: A lagoon based learning programme for students of Araura College that combines classroom lessons with hands-on lagoon experiences. Led by GROW Aitutaki in partnership with local experts and Cook Islands NGOs, students will learn about coral care, turtles, seabirds, and whales through lagoon trips, monitoring activities, and conservation sessions. Reaching around 60 students, the programme will build environmental knowledge, practical field skills, and cultural connections, empowering Aitutaki youth to become future guardians of the ocean. Funded by POLP Plastics Small Grant.

Due to start May 2026

Te Ipukarea Society Turtle and Seabird Monitoring - May 11-13, 2026 Cook Islands News Article

KORERO O TE ORAU Lagoon Monitoring and Surveying - June 8-9, 2026 Cook Islands News Article

Ocean Toa Water Safe

Aitutaki Coral Restoration

Te Ipukarea Society Whale Education - September 3-4, 2026