Young Blake Expedition- Kermadecs 2018

Hello everyone!

My name is Miriam, I’m 17 years old and attend Hurunui College in Hawarden. I have just been selected as 1 of 20 student voyagers from across New Zealand and the Pacific to join a Young Blake Expedition to the Kermadec Islands next year with the Royal New Zealand Navy, the Sir Peter Blake Trust, NIWA and the Department of Conservation.

The Kermadec Islands are located between 800km to 1000km north east of the North Island of New Zealand (halfway to Tonga) and are home to a rich abundance of biodiversity. The Islands volcanic archipelogic sub tropical environment makes it the ideal habitat for a plethora of species of bird, plant and oceanic life. The volcanic chain is one of the last pristine places on earth. Sitting on the boundaries of the two major ocean currents, the islands are located in some of the most changeable climatic conditions in the world. As a result, the archipelago is identified as one of the best locations for indications of climate change as the specific environment changes significantly with subtle changes in oceanic and atmospheric changes.

Sir Peter Blake left behind a legacy that recognised and inspired future leaders to teach the younger generations about environmental and conservation issues and to create awareness. As student voyagers, we have the opportunity to work alongside leading scientists to collect data and participate in crucial environmental, scientific and culturally significant restoration projects to help us better understand and learn more about our rapidly changing natural environment as well as growing our potential as young leaders. Having access to one of the most untouched places on earth, we have the role of using it to the best of our abilities to use as a research system to find out what we can do as young eco-citizens leaders to minimise our impacts which contribute to significant global issues which are affecting us now or will do in the future; especially climate change and ocean acidification. We not only need to understand these significant issues, we need to be able to positively influence others to take and implement steps of change to ensure the kaitiakitanga of the natural environment for future generations to enjoy.

Not many people get the opportunity to visit these beautiful islands so I can’t wait to share my experiences and encounters when I get back to the mainland!

However, we have been asked to contribute $2000 towards the cost of attending and I would hugely appreciate your support to help me go on this once in a lifetime opportunity. Remember that every dollar counts and every dollar takes me one step closer to chasing my goal, dream and passion!

Being selected to go on this expedition is a dream come true for me as I am still unsure of what I want to study at university and am hoping that this expedition will ignite some ideas!

I hope you want to be part of my adventure, dream and goal,

Thank you in advance,

Miriam