SUMMER LEARNING JOURNEY: Preserving The Past 🕒

DAY 1: Preserving the Past

Activity 1: World of Wearable (WOW) Art [4 points]

If we want to protect our natural world, we must be thoughtful about what we make, how we make it and how we dispose of it (throw it away). At the moment, the waste in New Zealand is separated into two main categories: 1. Recycled items (eg. bottles, cans, paper) and, 2. Non-recycled items (rubbish). Most of the rubbish is collected by rubbish trucks and taken to a rubbish tip (landfill) where it is dumped and never used again. Much of the recycled material is to taken to a place where it is sorted, separated and sent out to be used again.

The idea of reusing materials was taken to a whole new level by a woman named Dame Suzie Moncrieff who, thirty years ago, created an event in New Zealand called the ‘World of WearableArt’ (WOW). WOW takes place in Wellington (and in other cities) every year. Artists from around the world create outfits made entirely from recycled materials.

Let’s imagine that you were invited to this year’s WOW awards and you were able to interview the creator.

On your blog, list five interview questions that you would like to ask Dame Suzie Moncrieff.

Activity 2: Guardians of the Sea [4 points] One of the largest rivers in New Zealand is called the Waikato River. It is found in the central part of the North Island of New Zealand. The river (awa) was given the name ‘Waikato’ (meaning flowing water) by a group of men and women from the Tainui iwi who, legend has it, travelled down the Waikato years ago and settled in the area. According to Māori legend, the Waikato River has hundreds of taniwha (mythical water spirits) living in it, guarding the sea. Unfortunately, the Waikato River has become polluted in recent years and is, sometimes, closed to the public. This is very upsetting for many people, especially for those who believe that taniwha live in the river. Please click here to read about taniwha and watch this short video about taniwha. Once you have finished learning about taniwha go to your blog. On your blog tell us whether, or not, you believe that taniwha exist. Be sure to explain to us why you feel this way.

A rock carving of a Taniwha near Lake Taupo.

I honestly believe there is a possibility that taniwha exist. I'm a conspiracy theorist/alienist/believer of the supernatural, and to the best of my knowledge of random facts, only 5% of the ocean in the entire world has been explored. That would 
provide a substantial area of space for taniwha to breed without being seen by anybody. More evidence to the 'Taniwha Conspiracy' includes, well, evolution was a thing. Back in the Jurassic period of the Earth, there were aquatic animals. It would come as no surprise that these aquatic animals evolved into many more species that lived underwater, but in the deepest, unexplored parts. The taniwha, according to Maori legend, is recognisable by it's reptile-like appearance. Maybe if the Taniwha was described as an enormous, sparkly purple and pink neon unicorn-thing, I wouldn't be so invested in researching this theory, because, well, it's obviously not going to be real. But the taniwha description is so similar to what could possibly be the result of evolved species of crocodiles, turtles, and other aquatic creatures back in the early periods of Earth. However, because of the fact that Taniwha were only widely-reported to be seen in a time period that was a time long, long ago, and the lack of evidence of living Taniwha in the present, DESPITE the development of much aquatic-based technology development, I don't believe Taniwha are around now, or were around for much longer after Aotearoa became more populated. I don't know. Maybe my conspiracy radar is a little wonky. But in conclusion, I believe the Taniwha were once creatures of this Earth. What about you? 

Activity 3: The Sky in Shanghai [10 points]

One day I would really like to travel to China. It is a country with a rich history, vibrant cities, tasty food, and fascinating architecture   (buildings). Unfortunately, some of the largest Chinese cities have high rates of air pollution. The air pollution in Beijing, one of the largest cities in China, can get so bad that roads are closed, flights are cancelled and events are postponed while they wait for the smog in the air to clear. The terrible pollution is also having fatal (deadly) effects as, approximately, 1.1 million people in China died last year from air pollution-related causes. The Chinese government is very concerned and they have introduced a number of strategies (ideas) to reduce the pollution levels. Imagine that you were asked to travel to Beijing. How would you feel?               

On your blog, write a poem that describes your feelings about travelling to Beijing, China..

anxiety
like an annoying little man in your head that won't go away
they're here
they're in your mind
but i have more than one voice
i have the ability to stop myself crying
i have the ability to stop fidgeting my hands
i have the ability to stop picking at my skin
the meds aren't working yet; i tell my mother
who sits beside me in a state of bliss
because who wouldn't love to go to Beijing?
no, not me. i don't want to go.
i fumble for my mask in my pocket, and clench it tight
there it will stay for the remainder of the flight
but once we disembark
i come to find
the mask is long gone, stuck with the airline
the meds aren't working yet. 

This was an ironic post to complete as I've just got off my flight from Christchurch to Sydney Australia, and are currently in the transit lounge for another 10 hours until we fly out to Denpasar tonight. Wish me luck!