2023 Projects
Inaha me Kapuni haerenga o te maramatanga
Ngā awa o Kapuni me Inaha (Kapuni & Inaha rivers) are integral to the mana of Ngāti Manuhiakai, though the health of both rivers have been in decline. Ngāti Manuhiakai will gather data from the past and present using a cross-cultural scientific lens that combines scientific practice with mātauranga Māori. They will record the historic knowledge from kaumatua, while conducting eDNA sampling to identify species that live in the awa. The knowledge acquired during this project will empower the hapū to revitalize the waterways.
Haurapa Kiwi 2.0 - Tuning Up the Frequency
In an earlier project Taranaki Kiwi Trust proved that it was possible to track kiwi using drone technology. Unfortunately, the applications were limited to close range due to radio frequency interference from the drone itself. Haurapa Kiwi 2.0 brings in specialist radio frequency experts alongside students from The Head Office to solve this problem, working towards the ultimate goal of being able to track multiple kiwi over long distances in a single, automated process.
Wild about AI
Wildlife.ai will develop and launch the Wild About AI programme, which will empower school students to use machine learning and artificial intelligence to investigate locally-relevant scientific issues. The Curious Minds grant will enable the co-development of resources and lesson plans that use marine science to introduce students to the exciting and rapidly expanding field of artificial intelligence. As the project evolves, members of the public will be able to actively contribute to monitoring surveys and build their own awareness of marine conservation.
Is the world changing below the waves?
MAIN Trust are concerned by observations from divers and iwi that the reefs and marine life around Taranaki are changing. They are bringing together an impressive group of local and national experts on marine environments to record data and capture observations of the marine environment along the north Taranaki coast between Ngā Motu Tapuae and Parininihi Marine Reserves. Divers will deploy data loggers, collect photos to compare with historic imagery, and create fully immersive 360 videos so schools and community groups can experience the marine environment firsthand.
Wai Energy - Low Flow Hydro
Taranaki Catchment Communities are interested in the potential of generating electricity using low-flow hydro. They’re working with Auroa School to carry out a feasibility study on using vortex hydro systems in the Oeo stream. Participants will investigate the power potential of the water flow and survey fish populations to investigate the impact of the technology on fish passage.
Para Kuihi
Kuihi, or Canada Geese, are becoming a major pest in South Taranaki, contaminating waterways and competing with native species for food. Te Kaahui o Rauru are investigating whether drones can be used to locate Kuihi nests more effectively than on foot. The project will engage with the local community to establish what may motivate people to become involved in an annual culling event where people can learn about wetland ecology and how to process Kuihi as a source of food.
Watch how virtual reality presents an opportunity for people living with dementia to keep their minds and bodies active.
In a project led by Alzheimers Taranaki, researchers discovered that the potential benefits of VR for people living with dementia were much greater than they’d expected.
2022 Projects
Did curiosity kill the possum
The East Taranaki Environment Collective would like to find the answer to this question, and began managing pest control at Everett Park, near Inglewood. A trap network was laid to target possums in the park with the help of students from Norfolk School, involved setting up cameras to observe possum behaviour and tested four trap designs.
Using virtual reality (VR)
An Alzheimers Taranaki project, was conducted in a previous Curious Minds project in 2020 which revealed the power of VR to trigger complex and detailed memories for people living with dementia. In their follow-up project, local digital technology students and Dr. Linda Jones further explored the effects of these VR triggered memories and evaluate their benefits.
Mai te Awa ki te Moana
The project involved Ōkahu Inuawai me ētehi atu Hapū using their local knowledge (mātauranga-a-hapū) to better understand and care for the takutai moana (foreshore and seabed) in the Ōhawe, South Taranaki. They Worked with Professor Kura Paul-Burke, a mātauranga Māori science expert (University of Waikato), to develop a methodology for monitoring significant coastal sites, as the first step towards their goal of restoring rockpools and reefs around Ōhawe.
Shark Spy Taranaki - Diving Deeper
Driven by the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre. In 2021 they conducted an earlier project which provided valuable information on some of the 14 or so shark species in Taranaki waters. The Shark Spy Taranaki - Diving Deeper project involves several schools and community groups collecting baited underwater video that has been deployed in partnership with Chaddy’s Charters.
Keeping you safe
A Taranaki Retreat project, explored how physical support environments impact the wellbeing and recovery of those experiencing emotional distress, aiming to provide information of value to the Retreat and other services supporting people in distress.
Ngā motu Whānui Manumoana
Facilitated by Taranaki Mounga Project, a group of coastal Taranaki schools and hapū investigated new methods of monitoring the seabird populations on the Ngā motu islands, using drones to record population numbers, with the aim of minimising human interaction in the process.
2021 Projects
Tarakihi Taiora
Te Kāhui o Taranaki worked with the Ngāti Moeahu hapū to reconnect whānau, hapū, and iwi to Tarakihi through GIS, remote sensing technologies, and marine science.
Wētā Watcher
Wildlife.ai collaborated with local community, conservation, and education organisations to test the effectiveness of a device that autonomously takes photos of ground-dwelling invertebrates and herpetofauna (lizards/geckos).
Regenerative Farming
More than 30 Taranaki dairy, sheep and beef farmers collaborated with scientists, and regenerative agriculture specialists for regenerative farming trials to improve soil, pasture, and animal health.
Shark Spy Taranaki
Shark Spy collected sightings and information on sharks, rays and skates (including egg cases) along the Taranaki coastline to help quantify the species diversity, abundance, and more.
TempoFit - Running in Schools Programme
Taranaki intermediate schools helped TempoFit launch a pilot of a ground-breaking running and exercise programme for 11 to 13-year-olds.
Pests, Threats and Our Birds
East Taranaki Environment Trust worked with Norfolk School and other partners to understand the difference in native bird life abundance between different pest control areas and establish baseline data for pest control in Everett Park.
Robogrow
A group of Inglewood High School students are investigated how an automated growing system could be developed and how such a system compares to traditional growing methods.
Soil Your Undies Taranaki
Enviroschools worked with students at four schools to understand soil biology and the role of earthworms and dung beetles as ecosystem engineers through burying cotton underwear and comparing results to a similar study in Otago.
Call of Litter Duty
Egmont Village School and Marfell Kindergarten worked with Litter Action NZ to use a new app to investigate where litter in their community comes from and what actions they can take to influence a reduction in litter ending up in the environment.
2020 Projects
Ground Breaking Mushrooms
Utilising spent coffee grounds from cafes around Taranaki, students are experimenting with how different substrate mixes and environmental variables effect oyster mushroom growth.
Exploring a Place for Virtual Reality (VR) in Dementia
Alzheimers Taranaki are exploring if VR is an an effective way to support cognitive and social skills in dementia clients.
Auroa School Sound Lures
Auroa School are investigating the way sound can be used to increase the efficiency of pest traps.
Our Green Ōpunake Journey
Ōpunake Kindergarten and Sustainable Taranaki are exploring the impacts of point of purchase information on recycling behaviour to positively shift recycling habits.
Seachange Surveys
Seachange Surveys is a citizen science project that aims to help local communities monitor coastal species - primarily kaimoana (seafood) - in their rohe moana (coastal area).
He Whenua, He Tangata, He Oranga: A Fashionable Fight
Students from Te Wharekura o Te Pihipihinga Kākano Mai i Rangiātea are exploring how traditional Māori knowledge and indigenous dying methodologies can innovate 21st century textile manufacturing processes and systems.
Haurapa Kiwi
Haurapa Kiwi is aiming to change the way kiwi translocations are monitored in Taranaki using drones for telemetry location tracking.
Papa Pokepoke
Exploring the unique features and properties of papa/clay found within the Ngāti Mutunga rohe to foster a greater understanding of how it originated in Taranaki and potential as a material for building.
What makes the sub-tidal reefs of the Taranaki bight unique? This research project as part of the PSP pilot project reveals.
How do you make a hydrosol? Students from Toko School set out on a journey of discovery with the Curious Minds PSP pilot project.