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John really lives by the values of his school, one being Kaitiakitanga which is caring for the environment. He believes that it's so important that all students, whanau and wider community are taught that when they arrive at Paparore, they display the value by taking care of the lake roadside and lake itself.

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A kaitiaki is a guardian and kaitiakitanga means guardianship, protection or preservation. It is a way of managing the environment, based on the traditional Māori world-view.

It encompasses many concepts and practices of environmental sustainability such as putting restrictions (rāhui) on the unsustainable exploitation of resources such as birds or seafood.

By implementing kaitiakitanga Māori protect the natural environment for their decendants which also allows Māori to feel they are meeting the expectations and hopes of their ancestors.

Māori world-view

Māori traditionally believe there is a deep kinship between humans and the natural world. People are not superior to the natural order; they are part of it. All life is connected and to understand the world, one must understand the connections and relationships within it.

Kaitiakitanga is a vehicle for rediscovering and applying these ideas.

Guardians

A kaitiaki is a person or group that is recognised as a guardian by the tangata whenua (tribal group with authority in a particular area) and is responsible for looking after something - a lake or a forest, for example.

Kaitiakitanga also applies to valued items like family heirlooms such as korowai (cloaks), mere pounamu (greenstone clubs) and books about whakapapa (genealogy).

Kaitiakitanga today

Kaitiakitanga is being rediscovered and explored. Tribal groups are working to respond to environmental problems, and to renew their own knowledge, culture and experience.

Māori communities are reconstructing and expressing traditional knowledge in their tribal areas. They are restoring both environmental areas and tribal knowledge of those places. Kaitiakitanga theory and practice responds to a number of current issues and challenges and allows Māori to feel they are meeting the expectations and hopes of their ancestors.

The practice of Kaitiakitanga allows Māori and non-Māori alike to reflect on the notion of kinship with nature, and how this idea might be useful in an environmentally threatened world.

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A kaitiaki is a guardian and kaitiakitanga means guardianship, protection or preservation. It is a way of managing the environment, based on the traditional Māori world-view. It encompasses many concepts and practices of environmental sustainability such as putting restrictions (rāhui) on the unsustainable exploitation of resources such as birds or seafood.

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Jack Johnson: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - 3 R Song | Explore Films

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Kids Environment Kids Health - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Three great ways YOU can eliminate waste and protect your environment!

Waste, and how we choose to handle it, affects our world's environment-that's YOUR environment. The environment is everything around you including the air, water, land, plants, and man-made things. And since by now you probably know that you need a healthy environment for your own health and happiness, you can understand why effective waste management is so important to YOU and everyone else. The waste we create has to be carefully controlled to be sure that it does not harm your environment and your health.

What exactly is "waste?"

Waste is anything we throw away or get rid of, that doesn't get used.

How can you help?

You can help by learning about and practicing the three R's of waste management: Reduce, reuse, and recycle! Practicing all three of these activities every day is not only important for a healthy environment, but it can also be fun too. So let's take a minute right now to learn more about waste and waste management, so you can become a key player in making our world a safe and healthy place.

Other stuff you might like ...

Coloring

Coloring books and fun pictures to color.

What's That Word

Scientific Dictionary

Not sure of what a word means?

Hazardous waste and chemicals are harmful to human health. They contain dangerous chemicals and can be a liquid, solid, or gas. Some of them can be found in your house or around you. Learn more about hazardous wastes.

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The .gov means it's official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

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Despite the vastness of Earth's oceans, plastic pollutants are turning up everywhere, from the deep sea to the Arctic ice pack. In this short film from filmmaker Chris Hanson, 17 Hawaiian students study the impact of plastic pollution on their local beaches.The Short Film Showcase spotlights exceptional short videos created by filmmakers from around the web and selected by National Geographic editors.

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Think about how you feel when your room is a mess. Maybe there are socks and dirty clothes piled on the floor.

An old banana peel sits on the dresser and juice from a tipped over juice box drips down the side. How does your room feel? Do you like spending time there? Probably not. You might feel frustrated and annoyed. But when your room is clean, it feels peaceful, happy and safe.

The Earth is your home too. And when it's clean and healthy, the people, plants and animals that live on it are clean, healthy and happy. The Earth is a fragile place that can be damaged easily by people. The good news is that people can also clean it up and take care of it.

Fun Facts About Taking Care of the Earth for Kids

We get everything we need from the Earth - food, clothing, shelter and even medicines. But we have to be careful not to take more than we need and to use our resources carefully.

Loggers cut trees down in forests for paper, furniture and buildings. But if they don't plant more trees, soon the forests are gone. Animals have no place to live.

Factories sometimes dump leftover chemicals in rivers and lakes. These chemicals can pollute the water, killing animals and plants, and even polluting the water we drink.

Burning fossil fuels in cars or to make electricity causes global warming.

Taking Care of the Earth Vocabulary

All About Taking Care of the Earth Video for Kids

Watch this awesome Taking Care of the Earth video for kids:

Taking Care of the Earth Q&A

Question: How can we help take care of the Earth?

Answer: You can help take care of the Earth by recycling. Avoid using plastic bags and bottles, and recycle any plastic you do use. Walk or ride your bike when you can and pick up litter than you see. Encourage your parents to drive the smallest, most fuel efficient car they can.

Enjoyed the Earth Science for Kids all about Taking Care of the Earth info? Take the FREE & fun all about Taking Care of the Earth quiz and download FREE all about Taking Care of the Earth worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

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Think about how you feel when your room is a mess. Maybe there are socks and dirty clothes piled on the floor. An old banana peel sits on the dresser and juice from a tipped over juice box drips down the side. How does your room feel? Do you like spending time there?

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"We put together a model of a wetland using rocks, sand, sticks, reeds and other plants. A watering can was tipped over them to see if they held together." [Aleeshia]

"Te Kauru had the amazing experience of snorkeling in the lake and seeing different species such as inanga, bullies and gambusia" [Jamie-Lee]

"In nets that had been set in the rushes my group caught three types of fish which were sorted into 'goodies' and 'baddies.'" [Teina]

"We used flax fibre for the centre, corn skins to hold it together and harakeke to make it look good. Now we had a poi!" [Ebony]

"We jumped over the fence and tramped through long grass to a secret place called Lake Jewel." [Cassidy]

"It was exciting waiting for the tiny trap to be emptied into a bucket. There were at least ten guppies in the crystal clear water." [Chelsea]

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"We put together a model of a wetland using rocks, sand, sticks, reeds and other plants. A watering can was tipped over them to see if they held together."

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Kaitiaki Kids to Kapiti. Healthy Harbours Porirua 2015.

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Seven students from Porirua took part in an overnight adventure to Kaipiti Island to celebrate their work as Kaitiaki of Te Awarua o Porirua.