Developing Future Leaders
Growing the next generation of biosecurity champions across Tauranga Moana through our schools programme, Tiakina Taiao.
Tiakina Taiao
Tiakina Taiao is Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital's (TMBC) educational programme dedicated to growing young biosecurity champions across our region.
Run by TMBC's Māori Caucus, this hands-on one-day programme is delivered to schools across Tauranga, using nature as the classroom to give children the tools they need to protect our environment.
The Programme
Nature as the classroom
Students from local schools are invited to attend, experiencing a day of outdoor learning that blends western science with mātauranga Māori (traditional Māori knowledge).
Exploring our harbour
Children learn how to find and identify the Asian paddle crab, and discover the marine trapping methods and surveillance techniques being used to protect our harbour from biosecurity threats.
Into the forest
A guided walk through the forest introduces children to pest identification techniques, control traps, how to spot myrtle rust, and understand which trees this airborne disease affects.
“As Māori our tupuna (ancestors) cared for these resources for us to hand down to our mokopuna (grandchildren), so as kaitiaki (guardians) in Tauranga Moana we need to participate and be more proactive in taking care of our taonga (treasure)."
Kia Maia Ellis, Programme Developer
Want to get your school involved?
We'd love to hear from you. Get in touch to find out more about the Tiakina Taiao programme.
Sentinel gardens
TMBC partners with PiPs (People, Plants in Schools) to bring biosecurity surveillance into the classroom.
Sentinel gardens are established in PiPS member schools across the Bay of Plenty, with each garden containing host plant species selected to provide early warning of high-risk invasive insects and pathogens, turning school grounds into active biosecurity monitoring sites.
PiPS facilitators weave biosecurity learning into their hands-on garden programmes, teaching tamariki how to spot signs of unwanted pests, monitor their sentinel garden regularly, and report any unusual findings. It's practical, place-based education that builds biosecurity awareness from the ground up, giving our next generation the knowledge and confidence to play their part in protecting Tauranga Moana.
If your school is interested in engaging with the PiPS programme, get in touch with their team at admin@pipsbop.org to explore opportunities.
