Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi has received $300,000 in funding from the Centre of Research Excellence Coastal People: Southern Skies to support a new education-focused climate initiative for coastal communities.

The funding will support the Our Changing Coast: Earth Science Kete project, which will create and distribute hands-on learning kete to schools and communities, starting with a pilot programme in the Bay of Plenty.

The kete are designed for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau, providing practical tools to help communities understand coastal change, climate impacts and vertical land movement, and to build resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of ongoing environmental change.

Mawera Karetai, pictured, project lead at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, said education was central to supporting communities as they navigated an uncertain future.

“The wānanga’s focus within the Our Changing Coast research project has been on using education to enable coastal whānau to address climate anxiety, build resilience, and prepare tamariki and rangatahi for the future.”

Grounded in kaupapa Māori, the project integrates mātauranga Māori with earth and climate science, supporting whānau-based learning and connection to whenua and moana. Activities include earthquake and sea-level rise demonstrations, coastal change games, emergency planning resources and food resilience tools.

Dr Karetai said the Bay of Plenty pilot reflected where the need was greatest.

“In the Bay of Plenty, Māori are disproportionately affected by climate change impacts.

“Our pilot programme will focus on engaging rangatahi Māori and their whānau, on the basis that what is good for Māori is good for everyone.”

The project is part of the national Our Changing Coast research programme and will contribute to growing Indigenous-led research, community capability and future leadership in climate adaptation. By putting practical tools into the hands of learners and families, the Earth Science Kete programme aims to demystify complex earth science concepts and empower communities to build their own locally grounded knowledge.

Over time, this knowledge supports informed planning, strengthens kaitiakitanga, and grows confidence for future leaders making decisions about living with a changing coast.

Following the pilot phase, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi plans to expand the Earth Science Kete programme to other coastal regions across Aotearoa and into the Pacific, working in partnership with iwi, hapū, kura and community organisations.