Ari Horlock

I am a student at Whakatane Intermediate school, I am writing in response to an article and more recently letters published in the newspaper about a problem in our local Otamakaokao, often known as Awatapu lagoon.

We, the students at Whakatāne Intermediate, are really concerned about people throwing in dead carcasses, the rubbish that is in and around the lagoon, and the aquatic plants that are clogging the lagoon and turning the water into a smelly mess.  

Now, I’m sure you can imagine millions of things wrong with this. But our biggest problem: all of these things are killing our aquatic ecosystem.

And if you didn’t know, the lagoon is part of the Whakatāne Intermediate School Environmental Science programme. These problems shut down amazing opportunities we should have here as students at Whakatāne Intermediate.

In term one, our group of students, unfortunately, missed out on kayaking, which was said to be a highlight of Environmental Science.

As a year 7 student, I know that we will have an opportunity to do it next year if the lagoon is restored. But experiencing it first-hand would've been ideal.

The partial reasoning behind this decision was because our lagoon was trashed with dead carcasses, stray rubbish and smelt really bad.  

Our Environmental Science teacher has also seen a big change in the state of the lagoon. This year being the worst she has seen it since she started at the school four years ago.

Here are some solutions I have brainstormed;

Firstly:  To decrease pollution in our waterways I would recommend adding rubbish bins by the tracks. This will persuade passersby to care for the environment instead of littering.

Secondly:  Look at ways that the aquatic plants in the lagoon can be removed.  We started a composting programme last year at school of the hornwort. Sadly, this year we are unable to get it out because the lagoon smells so bad.

Thirdly:  Can we provide a place where people can take their carcasses, so they don’t get dumped in beautiful areas.  Or offer education on the best way to get rid of them.

As of right now, the Awatapu lagoon is unusable as a class resource.

The community is also displeased with the state of the waterways. We urge the council and the Whakatāne community to take action for the sake of our local waterways and our learning opportunities.

These changes would create a positive and safe environment for both the community and students. Our lagoon would also look much more appealing, and its rotten stench would smell much nicer.

I also expect the aquatic wildlife to appreciate this gesture. As a student at Whakatāne Intermediate, I would love to make this plan, the future.