Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society

Cassidy Taylor (12) Dr Victoria Metcalf and Jess Camden (12) — Cassidy Taylor (12), Dr Victoria Metcalf and Jess Camden (12)

An amazing presentation from a group of school students was the final act for phase one of Project Hotspot.

Project Hotspot is run through schools and supported by scientist and community groups.

Students from Highlands Intermediate School and Oakura School have been working on their action plans with the Project Hotspot Team.

The children formed groups and started their research of investigating potential threats to species within the Tapuae Marine Reserve.

The Taranaki based Participatory Science Platform (PSP) project is driven by Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society and funded via Curious Minds Taranaki which is administered locally by VTL.

The PSP is currently being piloted in three areas: South Auckland, Taranaki and Otago. It is an initiative under A Nation of Curious Minds, a Government programme to encourage all New Zealanders to get involved with science and technology.

A small group of supporters of the Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society gathered to release 'Little Blue Penguin Taranaki' back into the wild. — A small group of supporters of the Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society gathered to release ‘Little Blue Penguin Taranaki’ back into the wild. Photo by : Smart shots by Sharyn

‘Little blue penguin Taranaki’ was reunited with her rescuer at Port Taranaki.

“It’s awesome to see her again! When I got the phone call this morning to come back down and be a part of her release there was no way I was turning that down,” said Ayla Adlam.

“To see her where she is meant to be is just awesome. Everyone’s efforts and time has all paid off.

“She is really cute and quite chubby now.”

Ayla spotted the little blue penguin as she neared the boat ramp after a day of fishing with her partner and another friend on January 6.

“As we were coming back into the boat ramp I noticed a little penguin just kind of swimming around in circles just looking distressed and really close to the boats.

“My partner suggested that we ring DOC as I was a little bit upset about seeing an injured penguin out there.”

Ayla got out her smart phone, googled DOC’s website and gave them a call. Her call was answered by Gemma Green who located the penguin and organised for her to be sent to Massey University’s Wildbase Hospital in Palmerston North.

Project Hotspot’s young scientists present their conservation outcomes

Injured Little Blue Penguin returned fit and healthy to Nga Motu Marine Reserve