Image: Darryl Torckler | ©
Snorkelling from below the surface.
Protecting our marine world
Use this resource to learn how to protect our unique marine environment.

Our education resources are not being updated but are kept here as an archive.

This resource links to the New Zealand Curriculum at levels 1-4, but can be adapted for use at various levels. The unit is based on an integrated, inquiry learning process.

It contains teaching and learning material to support a unit of work that is grounded in Environmental Education for Sustainability (EEfS) / Conservation education themes, and incorporates aspects of Te Ao Māori (a Māori worldview). 

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You can download the entire resource at once or individually.

Entire resource: Protecting our marine world (ZIP, 8,455K)


Learning objectives

To provide students, teachers and their communities with opportunities to grow their knowledge, skills and understandings about marine conservation, so that they can help resolve environmental challenges for the marine environment in their local area and beyond.

The exact pathways of learning and associated outcomes are up to students and teachers. Activities and suggestions in the resource enable the following learning opportunities:

Connecting to the marine environment (Te Taha Wairua)

Students can:

  • form significant personal connections to their local marine environment
  • have awareness and sensitivity about local species and environments and start to care for them.

Knowledge, skills and understandings (Te Taha Hinengaro, Te Taha Tinana)

Students can:

  • grow their understandings of no-take marine reserves in New Zealand
  • recognise the role of tangata whenua in marine conservation
  • learn skills to help address marine conservation issues.

Taking collective action and working with community (Te Taha Whānau)

Students can:

  • act alongside the wider community to contribute to a healthy marine environment
  • participate in active sharing with the community to celebrate success and action.