Waitaki geopark feature of wild festival
Waitaki Whitestone Geopark geoscientist Sasha Morriss speaks during the 7×7 Wild Talks event for the Wild Dunedin — New Zealand Festival of Nature. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
The 10th annual Wild Dunedin New Zealand Festival of Nature had a North Otago flavour with the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark featuring in the 12-day festival.
The festival began on April 10 with the 7×7 Wild Talks event at the Otago Museum.
Geoscientist Sasha Morriss, on behalf of the Unesco Waitaki Whitestone Geopark, was one of seven invited speakers to the 2025 theme of geology.
Mrs Morriss said it was great for the geopark to be invited.
"It was a great opportunity to speak to a wider audience, the auditorium itself was packed.
"We really enjoy being a part of these bigger events and telling people the stories of the geopark.
"It was nice to also talk in Dunedin, where people can come visit for a day."
She outlined the journey to formalise the geopark and how it can be a platform to tell stories.
"While geoparks are based on geology of international significance, they are a platform for many, many other stories to be told."
Vanished World was also included in the festival with a display at the Nature Dome at Forsyth Barr Stadium last weekend.
The festival concluded this week.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Scoop
Kaikōura's Bid For World Heritage Status Gathers Momentum
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura is looking to marine research to boost Kaikura's bid for world heritage status. Marine research could provide a catalyst for achieving world heritage status for Kaikōura, community advocates say. Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura (Kaikōura's marine guardians) first mooted the idea of making a bid for Unesco's (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage list 20 years ago. Now Te Korowai secretary Gina Solomon and committee member Mel Skinner want to organise a research hui to find out what is happening and where the gaps are. The Kaikōura District Council has identified the potential for marine research to provide economic benefits for the town. A business case for the future development of South Bay Harbour was completed in July 2022, thanks to funding from the Government's Provincial Growth Fund. It identified Kaikōura as having the potential to become an international hub for marine research and education – if it could get the funding. Chief executive Will Doughty has said the council is keen to attract marine researchers from New Zealand and overseas, but it lacks the funding to support it. He said the council is keen to partner with Government and other agencies to support marine education and research. Mrs Skinner said achieving world heritage status would likely make Kaikōura more attractive as a research destination, and gathering momentum will help to get the bid across the line, she said. ''We need to be able understand what is going on here and to create more of a research focus. ''We don't necessarily need the bricks and mortar now, but with the aim of eventually having the facilities in the future. Ms Solomon said Kaikōura has long been considered ''the world's seabird capital'' by scientists. But locals often had little understanding about their local bird life, she said. ''Often we think of seagulls as a nuisance, but they are an important part of the eco-system. ''Have some targeted research would help to improve our understanding of what we have.'' The University of Canterbury used to have a research facility in Kaikōura, which it was damaged in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016. World heritage sites are landmark locations protected by an international treaty administered by Unesco. Kaikōura's world heritage journey began in 2004 when it was first included in a tentative global list of 304 sites. Te Korowai was established by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura in 2005 and successfully lobbied both local and central government for marine protections. The Kaikōura Marine Strategy was published in 2012 and the Kaikōura (Te Tai o Marokura) Marine Management Act passed into law two years later. The legislation established the Kaikōura Marine Area, which comprises the 10,416 hectare Hikurangi marine reserve, a 4686ha whale sanctuary, five customary management areas, a fur seal sanctuary and restricted fishing areas. The Kaikōura district's international dark sky sanctuary status, obtained in September, also boosted to the district's case. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- RNZ News
Feature interview: how the pandemic changed education
science covid-19 3:00 pm today It happened without warning and preparation. Students around the world became lab rats for the world's largest experiment in online and distance learning when the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close their doors. It did not go well says Mark West, a senior policy analyst at UNESCO the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Five years on from the lockdowns, we're seeing the unintended consequences of digital learning including lower test scores, higher inequities as well as greater physical and mental health challenges. West says that relying on tech alone is no substitute for thoughtful policy, trained teachers, and human connection, during a pandemic or not. The evidence and arguments are in a free book called An Ed-Tech Tragedy? Educational Technologies and School Closures in the Time of COVID-19.
Otago Daily Times
26-04-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Waitaki geopark feature of wild festival
Waitaki Whitestone Geopark geoscientist Sasha Morriss speaks during the 7×7 Wild Talks event for the Wild Dunedin — New Zealand Festival of Nature. PHOTO: SUPPLIED The 10th annual Wild Dunedin New Zealand Festival of Nature had a North Otago flavour with the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark featuring in the 12-day festival. The festival began on April 10 with the 7×7 Wild Talks event at the Otago Museum. Geoscientist Sasha Morriss, on behalf of the Unesco Waitaki Whitestone Geopark, was one of seven invited speakers to the 2025 theme of geology. Mrs Morriss said it was great for the geopark to be invited. "It was a great opportunity to speak to a wider audience, the auditorium itself was packed. "We really enjoy being a part of these bigger events and telling people the stories of the geopark. "It was nice to also talk in Dunedin, where people can come visit for a day." She outlined the journey to formalise the geopark and how it can be a platform to tell stories. "While geoparks are based on geology of international significance, they are a platform for many, many other stories to be told." Vanished World was also included in the festival with a display at the Nature Dome at Forsyth Barr Stadium last weekend. The festival concluded this week.
