A huge thank you Fish Futures team members Pascale Otis and Olivier Raven for representing the team at the Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair in Rotorua in July 2024.
The 3rd annual Te Arawa Lakes Trust Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair attracted over 110 entrants from schools across the Bay of Plenty. The kaiako presented some amazing projects showcasing the connection between mātauranga and science.
In support of the Fair, Pascale and Olivier hosted a Fish Futures stand to showcase some of our mahi. Olivier ran a pā koura activity where participants searched through rocks to find hidden kōura. The activity highlighting where kōura live in lakes and the need to restore that habitat to protect kōura from enemies such as the bullhead catfish. Olivier is at the start of his PhD exploring how artificial reefs can be used to provide extra shelter places for kōura in the Rotorua Te Arawa lakes.
Pascale shared a video produced in partnership with Te Arawa Lakes Trust demonstrating how kōura are monitored using whakaweka (fern bundles). The video guest starred Priscilla – a puppet Pascale is using in her research to explore how humour helps us connect with the environment.
The Science and Design Fair was a great opportunity to support our iwi partners and help to further inspire some of these VERY early career researchers.
