An Amazing Season Beneath the Surface

It’s getting colder, and the snorkelling season is over for Taranaki EMR (Experiencing Marine Reserves), but what a 2025/26 season it was!

Coordinators Rachel (below left) and Rob (below right) worked with around 260 school students this summer, alongside their whānau supporters, guiding them into the water to explore the underwater world safely and confidently. From first fittings to full ocean immersion, it was a season full of learning, laughter, and discovery.

Starting Before You Even Touch the Water

Rachel and Rob start right at the beginning, on land, near the water’s edge but not yet in it. Students learn essential “before you hop in” skills such as how to fit a wetsuit, check fins and masks for size, and apply anti-fog paste to their masks. The paste is a surprisingly friendly substance, it looks, smells, and even tastes a bit like toothpaste.

New snorkellers also learn safety signals to communicate while wearing a mask and snorkel. This is important because it is hard to talk while underwater or with a snorkel in your mouth. The ocean is also very changeable so clear communication is important.

Building Skills in the Pool

Early water confidence is developed in the pool sessions where everyone can stand with their heads above water.

Here, students learn how to move smoothly and quietly using fins, how to duck dive for a closer look beneath the surface, and how to clear water from a snorkel if it sneaks in. These foundational skills build confidence before students ever touch the sand or swim in the open ocean.

There’s quite a lot to learn, but it all becomes second nature with practice.

Into the Ocean at Ngāmotu Beach

A highlight of the EMR programme here in Taranaki is snorkelling at Ngāmotu Beach, where students build confidence in a real marine environment and connect with local sea life.

The area near the old marker pole is home to a variety of marine species on a healthy reef ecosystem. Some students take to the water immediately, while others ease in more slowly. Boogie boards, turned sideways, often help beginners peer beneath the surface.

Once in the ocean, no one is left out. Every student finds their own pace and way of exploring.

A Season of Schools and Community Groups

This season, participating schools included Highlands, Devon, and Ōākura, who visited Te Hāwere-a-Maki / Goat Island Marine Reserve in 2025. New participating schools in 2026 included Kaimata, Highlands, Te Paepae o Aotea, and Ōpunakē High School.

Beyond schools, EMR also delivered four community snorkel days, involving 205 participants. These free events are described by the team as the “Formula One” version of EMR—fast-paced, high-energy days where coordinators and volunteers run multiple snorkel sessions, three times in three hours, while also managing safety and logistics.

A Big Thank You to our Volunteers & Community Connections

A huge thank you goes to the 44 volunteers who supported the community snorkel days this season. They worked as guides, onshore spotters, equipment specialists, safety helpers, and even sausage chefs.

These days simply wouldn’t happen without them.

EMR Taranaki also works with community groups throughout the region. The Kiwi Conservation Club (the children’s section of Forest & Bird) joined a community snorkel session, and Fitzroy Cubs also experienced pool-based snorkelling.

Rachel and Rob are also exploring ideas for more pool snorkel lessons around the maunga in the future.

Some Voices from the Water

Students consistently left the water with new skills, confidence, and excitement:

“We loved learning new skills like how to dive better, hold your breath longer and seeing new sea creatures.”

“It was my first time snorkeling. I felt safe and I enjoyed seeing the fish and going out deep.”

“Walking backwards in flippers was funny.”

“Amazing guides and volunteers - thank you.”

“Everything was great. I learnt to snorkel and there was different sea life that I could see.”

Even simple moments stood out:

“Hope we can see more fish next time but we really enjoyed even the seaweed.”

Not just about the snorkelling

As the water cools, EMR Taranaki continues its work behind the scenes.

Rachel is currently planning the inaugural Action-Connection Hui, a one-day, hands-on workshop bringing together EMR students from across the rohe. The event will feature interactive sessions led by local conservation experts, helping students build skills, confidence, and connections to take meaningful environmental action in their own communities.

Taking action has always been a key part of EMR. This year, students will explore how making a difference in the marine environment is achievable with the right planning, collaboration, and support.

Thanks go to EMR’s funding partners, including the Toi Foundation, Port Taranaki, New Plymouth District Council, Taranaki Foundation, the Sargood Bequest, and the Mazda Foundation. Their support helps ensure a strong upcoming 2026/27 snorkelling season.

A special mention to Chooks of Egmont Village, who built and continue to maintain EMR’s trailer (even recently repaired it free of charge). The trailer is vital piece of equipment and ours is especially cleverly designed, making EMR teams across the country envious. And of course Andy Thompson from Adventure Lens NZ for these amazing photographs!

As winter sets in, the snorkels are packed away, but the connections, confidence, and curiosity built this season will carry forward into the next.