RŪNĀ

⏳ Time to apply is now!

We already have a great mix of participants registered, including:

• Auckland Council Sustainable Schools Advisors
• Primary, intermediate, and secondary school teachers
• Local environmental groups
• Healthy Active Learning advisors from regional sports trusts
• Marine education organisations
• Sailing club members

This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with others who share a passion for protecting our marine environments and creating positive change for future generations.

Together, we can help students feel connected to their communities, empowered by real-world science, and confident that they are making a meaningful difference for the future of their moana 🌊

🌟 Real-World Maths in Action with Kōkōkaha Sailing Days 🌟

During our Kōkōkaha sailing days, students bring maths to life through hands-on, practical activities that show how mathematics is used in the real world.

⛵ Students use tape measures to calculate the area of a sail, compare sail sizes, and explore the scale and ratios behind an America's Cup yacht sail.

⚖️ They make informed decisions by investigating buoyancy, learning how weight, volume, and balance affect whether a boat floats and performs efficiently.

🔧 Through sailing equipment and pulley systems, students calculate mechanical advantage, comparing load force and effort force to understand how simple machines make work easier.

📏 From measuring and estimating to calculating, analysing, and problem-solving, students develop confidence in using maths in meaningful, authentic contexts.

Give your students the opportunity to discover that maths isn't just something you do in the classroom. It's a powerful tool for understanding and interacting with the world around them.

It’s NZ Maths Week!

Here are a few fun and easy activities you can do with your tamariki to celebrate the magic of maths:

🛠️ Build an anemometer to record wind speed
🧭 Create a wind vane to record wind directions
🌊 Use the MetService Website – Investigate how wind influences wave patterns and collect real-world data to analyse.

These activities combine science, maths, and nature in a way that’s exciting and educational for tamariki. Let’s harness the wind and the power of learning! 💨📊
https://www.runa-yachtingnz.org.nz/kokokaha/learning-experiences

Behind every thriving environmental project is someone who inspires others to take action.

The BLAKE Awards are an opportunity to recognise the leaders creating positive change for people and planet across Aotearoa.

We especially encourage nominations for teachers, youth leaders, and community champions who have brought Moanamana to life or dedicated themselves to marine protection and restoration.

Last year, Sally Carson of the NZ Marine Studies Centre, who partnered with Yachting New Zealand to create Moanamana, was recognised with a BLAKE Award for her outstanding contribution to marine education and environmental leadership. Her award is a wonderful reminder of the impact that passionate educators and advocates can have in inspiring action for our oceans.

💙 Let's celebrate the commitment, passion, and impact of those making a difference in our communities.

📅 Nominations close 24 September.

BLAKE Awards Nominations are open! Since 2005, this long-standing event has celebrated outstanding New...

🌊 Calling all Auckland teachers!

Join one of four free Hauraki Gulf Monitoring Workshops this September and learn how your students can connect with their local moana, become kaitiaki, and help monitor the health of their marine environment.

Empower young people to take action, contribute valuable environmental data, and educate their communities about protecting our oceans for future generations.

Teachers from outside Auckland are also warmly welcome to attend.

📅 Register here: https://www.runa-yachtingnz.org.nz/moanamana-1/educator-upskilling

🌊 Join the Hauraki Gulf Monitoring Project Workshop!

A partnership between Yachting New Zealand and the NZ Marine Studies Centre, this project uses Moanamana tools to help communities monitor and protect the health of their local marine environments.

As part of the growing NZL Blue Belt Project, our vision is a network of schools, sailing clubs, iwi, whānau, and coastal communities working together to create a "blue belt" around Aotearoa, demonstrating our commitment to understanding, maintaining, and restoring the health of our moana. 💙

At the workshop, Sally Carson (NZ Marine Studies Centre) and Alisa Torgersen (Yachting New Zealand) will share practical citizen science tools, including Moanamana and iNaturalist App, that make marine monitoring easy and meaningful.
🔗 Explore the NZL Blue Belt and Moanamana iNaturalist projects:
https://www.runa-yachtingnz.org.nz/moanamana-1/nzl-blue-belt-site-projects
🔗 Register for an upcoming workshop:
https://www.runa-yachtingnz.org.nz/moanamana-1/educator-upskilling

Be part of building New Zealand's Blue Belt, one community at a time. 🌏🌿

🎉 Big news! RŪNĀ has been shortlisted for the Education & Training category at the Sport Positive Awards 2026, recognising global leadership in sustainability through sport.
Fresh from winning the Environmental Sustainability Award at the 2026 NZ Sport and Recreation Awards, it's exciting to see RŪNĀ gaining international recognition.
By connecting young people to the water through sailing, RŪNĀ builds environmental awareness, kaitiakitanga, and lifelong skills.
Congratulations to our RŪNĀ team, clubs, schools, and partners who make this kaupapa possible.
🏆 Winners announced 6 October 2026. Watch this space!