Lying about 1000km northeast of New Zealand and stretching
250km along the western ridge of the Kermadec Trench, the 15
islands and rocks of the Kermadecs are part of the world's longest
chain of undersea volcanoes and have been identified as one
of the very few pristine marine areas left on the planet. A third
of all known New Zealand fish, 11% of the planet's seabird species,
whales, dolphins, turtles and other deep sea marine life call the
Kermadecs home, and the area is already New Zealand's largest
marine reserve. Apart from Raoul Island, where the Department of
Conservation maintains a staffed field station, the islands are
uninhabited and very few New Zealanders will ever have the chance
to visit them.
With the aim of inspiring New Zealanders to
understand the global significance of the Kermadec Islands and to
encourage stewardship of the Kermadec Marine Reserve and the
planet's oceans generally, The Sir Peter Blake Trust, together with
the Ministry for the Environment, the Royal New Zealand Navy,
Department of Conservation, Pew Environment Group, Experiencing
Marine Reserves and LEARNZ, is planning an expedition to the
Kermadecs for young New Zealanders in 2012.
About the
Expedition
The Young Blake Expedition to the Kermadec Islands
will see 30 secondary school students from around New Zealand
travel on board HMNZS Canterbury to the Kermadecs from
8 - 19 August, with a crew of subject experts, scientists, artists,
educators, communicators and leaders.
The expedition will be a once-in-a-lifetime
adventure to one of the most unique and special places on the
planet, and delegates will have the opportunity to snorkel and gain
an understanding of the marine biodiversity of the Kermadecs, to
experience life on Raoul Island and the work of the Department of
Conservation there, to develop leadership skills, to explore the
island's dramatic and challenging terrain and learn about its
history, flora and fauna.
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Sir Peter Blake Youth EnviroLeaders' Forum