Whale of a Time for Schoolkids: RRE’s Marine Adventure at Warkworth Town Hall

Whale of a Time for Schoolkids: RRE’s Marine Adventure at Warkworth Town Hall

Warkworth Town Hall was buzzing with excitement recently as Restore Rodney East (RRE) brought the magic of the ocean to town for a booked-out event attended by 150 tamariki. The event featured the Walk Through Whale exhibit, allowing children to explore a life-sized whale model, and Blake Underwater VR, giving them an immersive virtual reality dive into underwater worlds.

“It was an absolute pleasure to host this event in Warkworth, bringing this experience to our town and keeping it local,” said Sarah Churchouse, RRE Facilitator. “Seeing tamariki connect with marine life, ask questions, and become curious about the ocean reminds us that we’re nurturing the next generation of kaitiaki—guardians of our waterways and coastlines.”

A huge thanks to Project Jonah and Blake Underwater VR for helping make this incredible experience possible. The interactive activities not only educated tamariki about marine ecosystems but also inspired them to care for and protect our local marine environment. Parents and whānau joined in too, making it a full-family experience celebrating learning, curiosity, and environmental stewardship.

This event is part of RRE’s ongoing commitment to engaging the community in conservation initiatives, using creativity, technology, and hands-on experiences to connect people of all ages with the natural world.