Support for Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa

Media Release

10 May 2012

Budget 2012: support for Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa

Today the Government announced a $7.6 million investment in The Enviroschools Foundation to continue the successful Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa initiatives. During a ceremony at Te Ara Whanui Kura Kaupapa Maori o Nga Kohanga Reo o Te Awakairangi in Lower Hutt, Minister of Maori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples and Minister for the Environment, Amy Adams announced the package.

This follows the November 2011 Relationship Accord and Confidence and Supply Agreement signed between the National Party and the Maori Party, which included reinstatement of Central Government funding to The Enviroschools Foundation.

Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa are innovative nationwide initiatives where children and young people work with their centres, schools, kura and communities to plan, design and create healthier more sustainable lifestyles. 825 schools, kura and early childhood centres across New Zealand are now part of this growing network, as well as an increasing number of post-school youth.

Heidi Mardon, National Director of The Enviroschools Foundation comments: “We are delighted with the Budget decision. Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa support a wide range of government objectives. An initiative this size needs multiple partners, including Central Government, Local Government, business and community organisations.”

Tens of thousands of young New Zealanders are now taking action on real-life projects as part of curriculum-linked learning through Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa. “Through energy efficiency initiatives, ecological building practices, environmental restoration, growing food and reducing waste going to landfills, students are having a positive impact on local communities, New Zealand’s economy and our overseas profile”, says Mardon. “Throughout New Zealand, schools, kura and early childhood centres involved in Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa, are showing that sustainability makes good sense economically and socially, as well as environmentally.”

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