Maeroa masterclass in gully restoration wins big at biosecurity awards

Maeroa students hard at work in the gully behind their school

Maeroa Intermediate School had an ambitious vision to transform their school gully into an outdoor classroom – a half-hectare haven for native plants and local wildlife for everyone to enjoy.

“Inspiration struck after the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020,” said Teacher Julie Yeoman, who, alongside Oriana Tauranga, Linda McPhail, Charles Hume and Raewyn Hollinger, has been a trailblazer for the project from the beginning.

“When we came back to school, we realised we had a huge asset in our backyard that was in desperate need of help. We set our sights high and, ever since, we’ve achieving that vision in spades.”

Dr Edwin Massey (Chair of the judging panel), Julie Yeoman, Linda McPhail and Oriana Tauranga (Maeroa School)

Achieving it with spades too, as it happens, and lots of them! In fact, it was the scale and all-inclusive approach of the project, according to the judging pannel, that set it apart and helped win them the prestigious Kura (School) Award at the 2024 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards in April.

The panel was particularly impressed by the way the project had “created a unique and exciting learning environment - where a new generation of biosecurity champions can flourish”.

Enviroschools facilitator Adrienne Grant said: “It has been a huge undertaking. Students, whānau and local community cleared weeds and rubbish, grew over 4000 eco-sourced plants, and replanted native trees.

Students honour teachers with impassioned haka

“They’re now four years in and the passion for this project, along with the wonderful plants that now line the gully, just continues to grow.”

After school restoration workshops organised by the teachers can attract between 15 and 35 students and weekend working bees upwards of 60 volunteers, including grandparents and neighbours – many more than when the project first started.

Adrienne has been working with Maeroa Intermediate for the past six years. The Enviroschools programme, alongside Waikato Regional Council river management and biosecurity experts, supported the school with funding and knowledge for channel realignment and bank stabilisation early on, biodiversity and biosecurity workshops for the rangatahi, restoration planning and innovative biocontrol through the use of tradescantia beetles.

But she explains it was the drive of a very committed group of teachers, with the support of numerous other organisations too, that catalysed the efforts of the kids and community, elevating the project to a level that’s so deserving of national recognition.

“Maeroa mobilised support, not just from the Enviroschools programme, but also Hamilton City Council, Go Eco, Central Waikato Predator Free Hub, Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, Pūniu River Care and the Waikato Catchment Ecological Enhancement.

Students all smiles as planting progresses

“It goes to show how much support there is out there for schools and communities that want to make a difference in their own backyard, and what can happen when you put a school at the heart of a restoration project. It also highlights the amazing resourcefulness of the teachers and how much can be achieved by working together.

“The dedication of all involved is just so inspiring. There’s a marvellous momentum to the whole thing that shows no signs of slowing.”

Julie Yeoman said: “We have had such amazing support from our students, sponsors, board of trustees and the whole community. There have been so many wonderful milestones to celebrate along the way, from the potting shed and shade house going up to the stream stabilisation, trapping lines and the fascinating biocontrol projects the students have had the opportunity to work on. And our board of trustees provided invaluable financial support with big projects like the access stairs and erosion control after there was a big slip in the gully.

“It’s so nice for everyone involved to see all that hard work recognised with a national award but it’s also just so rewarding to see the difference everyone’s mahi makes day-by-day. Seeing the impact we’re making, seeing the gully growing and our wonderful community growing along with it – that’s what keeps everyone focused on the long-term biodiversity and biosecurity of this beautiful place.”

Maeroa Intermediate’s gully restoration journey continues, demonstrating that a strong holistic vision, backed up by heaps of hard work, can continue to motivate and inspire a community for the long haul.