EMR is a national programme of experiential learning about marine conservation. It connects students (Years 1–8) with their local marine environments through classroom sessions and hands-on snorkel experiences. Students explore local coastal areas before visiting the fully protected Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve, where they see the difference protection makes.

Afterward, they’re encouraged to take action in their own communities — becoming advocates for conservation and sustainability.

As part of the EMR programme, our snorkelling experiences take students beneath the surface to see first-hand the difference marine protection makes. We typically begin at Hahei South, an area outside the marine reserve, where participants can observe an unprotected marine environment. Here, they see what happens when marine ecosystems are exposed to the impacts of human activity. The group then explores Gemstone Bay, located within Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve. The bay’s stunning waters and rocky reefs are home to snapper, blue maomao, goatfish, kelp forests, and colorful invertebrates, making it an ideal place to witness how marine protection allows ecosystems to thrive.

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These contrasting experiences help students truly understand the importance of marine conservation — that when we care for our oceans, they have the power to restore themselves. Snorkel sites are subject to weather and sea conditions to ensure safety and the best learning experience.