Waikaremoana Lake Track - Waiharuru Hut

We did this walk on New Zealand's first ever Matariki public holiday - 24 June 2022. Hopuruahine Landing to Waiharuru Hut and return. My husband project managed the building of this hut 20 years ago and, after living at Kaitawa for 8 years in the 90's, this was our first trip back since the land was returned to Tuhoe. No longer a National Park, the Visitor Centre we worked in has now been demolished, and DOC isn't running operations anymore. We didn't see anyone until the 2nd day, and had a 40 bunk hut all to ourselves!! This beautiful and timeless remote rainforest with no mobile phone signal is a great place to escape and recharge, and we heard kiwi during the night!!

Mokau Falls on the road to the track end

view from the road to Hopuruahine

misjudged the timing (my fault) and ended up walking the
last part in the dark!

soooo grateful for the dry firewood stacked next to the fire

amazing way to celebrate NZ's first Matariki public holiday!!

The building of this hut was Richard's project in 1999. A barge was used to transport building materials across the lake, and a canvas living space was created for 
the builders to stay in. 

Whanganui Hut, not open to the public anymore

Could smell this fish smoker as we wandered along the track!
Not a bad catch!

Research Project - Competitive Education and Prizes in High Schools

 

_________________________________________________________________________

Study 1

Competitive Education and Prizes in Schools: A Study of Factors Influencing Students’ Experiences of High School Award Systems

While my kids were in High School, I began to notice the effects of senior achievement awards on students. Some were getting prizes but didn't want them (because of the attention) and stopped working as hard in order to avoid winning, and some never got any awards which caused them to feel useless. I saw friendships end when both students went for the same award (and only one could win), some students avoided subjects they really wanted to have a go at because they needed to take subjects they would excel in, and there were always lots of bored kids at prizegiving. All of these scenario's, I believe, defeat the purpose of education, and they all affect the wellbeing of our young people. I wanted to know whether individual achievement awards positively affect our children's learning and, if so, what role does it play. Here, I surveyed 56 school leavers to find out what they thought. 

_________________________________________________________________________