08/06/2026
What is more fitting on World Ocean Day than celebrating our future ocean champions? Enter the Annual Poor Knights Competition Trip. This trip rewards students from around Aotearoa that have taken part in our Experiencing Marine Reserves programme with a once in a life time opportunity, exploring one of Aotearoa's most breathtaking marine reserves, Tawhiti Rahi & Aorangi - Poor Knights Islands.
These students didn't just win a lucky dip; they earned their spots through action. Take Nelly from Wellington, who organised a bake sale to raise funds for new snorkel gear, or Stella from Taranaki, who created a powerful diorama contrasting a healthy ocean with the devastating effects of sand mining. In the Gisborne region, students like Harper were out in their local rivers, using clarity tubes and conducting eel surveys to monitor freshwater health.
For many of the participants, hitting the water at Maroro Bay was an emotional revelation. After spending months studying marine protection, seeing it in action is a different story.
The magic of this trip isn't just what happens under the water—it’s what happens on the boat. It’s a "well-being trip" where like-minded young people connect, share stories of their environmental mahi, and realise they aren't alone in their passion for the planet.
Mountains to Sea founder Samara Nicholas celebrated the 25-year legacy of the trip. For her, the true reward is bumping into former students years later who are now marine biologists, conservationists, or simply lifelong advocates for the sea.
As we celebrate 25 years and over 500 students who have shared this experience, the message remains the same: to protect it, you must love it; and to love it, you must see it.
The Poor Knights trip shows our future leaders how our moana should be—full of life, vibrant, and respected. These students are now heading back to their schools and whānau, carrying a piece of the Poor Knights in their hearts and a renewed drive to protect their local blue backyards.
Tawhiti Rahi & Aorangi - The Poor Knights Islands are in the rohe of Ngāti Wai and we appreciate being able to visit the moana around these taonga.
A big ngā mihi to Te Whānau o Rangiwhakahu for the welcome into their rohe moana. As well as Dive! Tutukaka, The Bobby Stafford-Bush Foundation, Foundation North, Wettie, Whangarei Coastal Commuters, Schnappa Rock and the Matapouri Holiday Units for continuing to support this life changing trip.
Big thanks also go to our regional provider partners Friends of the Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve Trust, Mountains to Sea Wellington, Tasman Bay Guardians, Nga Motu Marine Society, He Awa Ora, He Tai Ora, Healthy Rivers, Living Sea
If you would like to get your school involved in our programme and have a chance of going on this once in a lifetime trip express your interest in a school programme on our website, www.mountainstosea.org.nz. Feel free to get in touch with our awesome coordinators around Aotearoa.
Full blog post and video to come!
