LEARNZ

Kohunga kutai: A natural solution for a plastic problem. 

In this first podcast of two, experts answer questions from schools about the science and mātauranga Māori of kūtai (mussels) and the testing of more sustainable materials than plastic for growing mussel spat.

1. How long does it take for a flax bush to grow into an adult bush for cutting?
2. How many different types of mussels are there in New Zealand and what types are grown on the mussel farms?
3. Why were there so many mussel beds destroyed in the 1970s and what are the numbers of mussels you are allowed to take from the sea?
4. How long does it take to make a natural fibre rope?
5. How many mussel farms are there in New Zealand and what is the average load of mussels pulled from one rope on a mussel farm?
6. What places in New Zealand are mussel hot spots?

More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/sustainableseas221/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ Kohunga kutai podcast 1 of 2

Kohunga kutai: A natural solution for a plastic problem. 

In this second podcast of two, experts answer questions from schools about the science and mātauranga Māori of kūtai (mussels) and the testing of more sustainable materials than plastic for growing mussel spat.

1. How do marine reserves affect the overall fish population?
2. If over time, creatures like fish have evolved and adapted to problems that face them, why can't they adapt to modern problems like commercial fishing and global warming?
3. How can we prevent too much phytoplankton growth from harming sea plants and creatures?
4. How long will natural plant fibre ropes last, compared to plastic ones, and are they cost efficient?
5. How does waste from aquaculture farms affect the surrounding marine ecosystem?
6. If our marine wildlife are dying because of plastic and litter, is there a long term way to fix this worldwide problem?

More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/sustainableseas221/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ Kohunga kutai podcast 2 of 2

The following questions from schools are answered about the place names near Akaroa on Banks Penninsula near Christchurch:
1. What does the place called Pohatu (related to penguins) mean?
2. Are there any other names for Akaroa?
3. How did Robinsons bay get its name?
4. Why are there so many pukekos in Robinsons Bay?
5. Why is Takamatua called Takamatua?
6. How did Barry's Bay get its name?
7. Why was Duvauchelle called Kaitouna?
8. Are there any other Māori names for Duvauchelle?
9. Please tell us more about Bossu, which is a big lump in the hill.
10. How did Wainui get its Maori name?
11. Why is Wakaroa the Maori name for Pigeon Bay?
12. Does Pigeon Bay have any more Māori names besides Whakaroa?
More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/mapmywaahi221/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ Te tapa whenua podcast

The following questions from schools are answered by New Zealand outdoor adventurers:
1. What has been your favourite experience in the outdoors?
2. Do people still use paper maps in the outdoors? Why?
3. How has digital location technology helped us in the outdoors?
4. Have you ever had a potentially tricky experience in the outdoors - what equipment or knowledge were you glad you had?
5. If I am a young person wanting to get started in the outdoors, what would you advise?
6. If I don't have much money, what outdoor gear do you recommend I should get first? My guess is a good raincoat.
7. How does Aotearoa's location in the world as a mid-latitude island make us need to think differently in the outdoors compared to other places (e.g. continents like North America, Europe, Australia)?
8. What are some of your favourite websites or apps to help us in the outdoors e.g. places to go, what gear to take, how to keep safe?
More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/getoutdoors204/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ Get Outdoors Safely in Aotearoa New Zealand podcast 4 of 4

The following questions from schools are answered by biodiversity specialists:
1. What is the coolest name a native animal has? 
2. How many BioBlitz have been done in New Zealand and for how many years?
3. Why are BioBlitz useful?
4. How many different animals do you think a BioBlitz in Ō Tū Wharekai will find? 
5. When is the best time of the year to do a BioBlitz and why? 
6. How do you know if an animal is a native when you see it? 
7. How long can it take to find an animal in the BioBlitz? Do they move during it?
8. Do you think you would find some of the same animals and plants if you did a BioBlitz here in Johnsonville?
9. Do you repeat a BioBlitz to see if it things have changed?
More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/bioblitz191/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ Bioblitz podcast 2 of 3

The following questions from schools are answered by biodiversity specialists:
1. What is the weirdest bug you would find in your backyard?
2. How many species of bees are there in NZ?
3. Why are some wasps pests?
4. How many species of preying mantis are there?
5. How many species of butterflies in NZ?
6. How many NZ ants are there?
7. What does the Mt Somers weta eat?
8. Have you ate a bug on purpose before?
10. How can we improve our biodiversity at our school?
11. What do you think is the most interesting insect in NZ?
12. What types of animals would you find in your back yard?
13. We know the bullet ant has a horrible sting! What would be the most poisonous or venomous insect in NZ?
14. What NZ bugs are at the top and bottom of the food chain?
15. What is the rarest animal in NZ?
16. Are there any bee species that can kill humans in NZ?
17. What is the most harmful pest to our enviroment?
18. How many native insects are there in NZ?
19. What is the most common insect in NZ?
20. What is your favourite bug in NZ and why?
More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/bioblitz191/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ Bioblitz podcast 1 of 3

The following questions from schools are answered by biodiversity specialists:
1. What is your favourite part of the BioBlitz?
2. What predators do ants have?
3. Which animal found on the BioBlitz is likely to survive the longest?
4. If you stood still for an hour how many birds would you see?
5. How many different types of toadstools and mushrooms are there?
6. Which animals are the rarest on the BioBlitz?
7. What are the lines underneath the mushrooms?
8. How long does a BioBlitz take? Do you stay out camping overnight?
9. How long does it take to find something on a BioBlitz?
More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/bioblitz191/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ Bioblitz podcast 3 of 3

The following questions from schools are answered by NZ climate change experts:
1. What action do we have to take to help our rivers' ecosystems?
2. How does pollution affect the weather patterns?
3. How can we encourage people to get connected with nature?
4. How did climate change not get noticed as a major problem by governments until recently?
5. Why and how is agriculture such a big polluter?
6. Why do we as children need to make change if we've done nothing wrong?
7. How has renewable energy changed over time?
8. How does climate affect the environment?
9. Is landscape a factor in climates of different areas?
More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/climatechange221/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ Our changing climate NZ podcast 1 of 2

The following questions from schools are answered by New Zealand Climate Change experts:
1. When you use water to generate power and you take it through the Coleridge penstocks and Power Station doesn’t that affect the water quality?
2. How can we spread awareness to the people who don’t know or believe that climate change is real?
3. Is there any way to not only stop climate change but to reverse it?
4. With the rising sea levels and the risk of erosion, where would they have to prioritize the coastal protection levels?
5. Why do people worry about 1℃ or 2℃ in temperature change when that's really not that much and we deal with that much change every day?
6. In New Zealand what is the largest cause of global warming or climate change?
7. What do you say to people who agree there is global warming and climate change but say people have not caused it?
8. When will climate change affect people in a bad way?
More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/climatechange221/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ Our changing climate NZ podcast 2 of 2

The following questions from schools are answered by biodiversity and GIS experts:

1. In terms of the Hokonui seeds, what happens to the seeds after they are harvested and what plant seeds have you collected?
2. What is the role of the Hokonui Rūnanga?
3. Once the trees are planted how long does it take until they are fully grown and how often do you plant new trees?
4. Do you know how much the population of the birds has grown since the restoration work started and if any species have been returned?
5. What impact has being involved in this restoration project had on you and how did you connect or re-connect with your heritage?
6. In Hokonui, after you have cleared pest plants and done restoration planting, how many years before that area looks after itself (e.g. birds spreading seeds). 7. Will you always have to do pest plant and animal control?
8. Ravi, when you are developing apps such as those for Hokonui, do you start from scratch or you adapt from apps you have already made?

More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/hokonui222/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ Hokonui restoration podcast 2 of 2

The following questions from schools are answered by biodiversity and GIS experts:

1. Who started the Hokonui Restoration project and when?
2. Who thought of the project and why did they start doing it?
3. What do you hope to achieve by doing this restoration?
4. How many people approximately do you have helping you and how do you employ these people?
5. Who came up with the ideas for the apps and can anyone get the apps for free?

More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/hokonui222/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ Hokonui restoration podcast 1 of 2

The following quesions from schools are answered by Lindsay-John (L-J):

1. I wonder what kinds of weeds are growing in the Waipoua Awa?
2. How can we help to restore our local awa?
3. What kind of fruit and/or other food are you hoping to grow?
4. How are you planning to look after the trees?
5. How are you going to clean up the river?
6. How are you going to make sure the river doesn't dry up?

More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/rivers222/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ River Restoration podcast 1 of 2 Waipoua

The following questions from schools are answered by Lindsay-John (L-J:

1. What type of eels are in your river and how old are the oldest eels?
2. What is the most common plant you grow, and how many plants have you grown in your native nursery?
3. How long (tall) can a plant grow in a year?
4. Why are you restoring the river and how long will it take?
5. What type of possum traps do you use and how many possums have you caught?

More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/rivers222/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ River Restoration podcast 2 of 2 Waipoua

The following questions are answered by people from MetService (Te Ratonga Tirorangi) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
1. What are the best ways of finding information when there is extreme rainfall and you wonder if you are at risk of flooding?
2. What should you save first if your home is getting flooded?
3. Where should you go if your home is getting flooded?
4. What should you take with you if you have to leave your home because of a flood?
5. Should you do anything different if you are away from home, say on holiday, and your new location floods?
More flood podcasts and info about flood experts at https://www.learnz.org.nz/floods222/connect-with-experts 
Educational videos about floods at https://www.learnz.org.nz/floods222/videos

LEARNZ Floods podcast 1 of 2

The following questions are answered by people from MetService (Te Ratonga Tirorangi)and Greater Wellington Regional Council (Te Pane Matua Taiao).
1. Why are floods our number one hazard (and not earthquakes?)
2. Is there a definition of a flood?
3. What factors cause a flood?
4. Can you design cities and farms so they won't flood?
5. Where in Aotearoa are the most flood-prone places? Where are there no floods?
6. Are there priority places that authorities do not want to flood. For example, is it a low priority if some recreational places flood, such as a walking track or a sports field?
More podcasts and info about flood experts at https://www.learnz.org.nz/floods222/connect-with-experts 
Educational videos about floods at https://www.learnz.org.nz/floods222/videos

LEARNZ Floods Podcast 2 of 2

The following questions were answered about rail and rail safety in Aotearoa New Zealand:
1. Compared to 100 years ago, are people at more risk from trains?
2. Apart from trains themselves, are there any other risks to people from the rail network (e.g. electrified wires)?
3. If I am just a citizen who has never been a passenger on a train, how does rail safety apply to me? 
4. How is data informing what you do regarding rail safety? What are level crossings and are they the main focus?
5. What procedures do you have to help keep people safe around trains? 6. Are there bells and signs? Are there speed limits? Are drivers and staff trained and educated about safety?
7. Is there technology such as remote cameras at level crossings? Is it helping and if so, how do you know?What potential do you see for rail in our country?
More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/railsafety203

LEARNZ Rail safety: walk-drive-ride safe around rail podcast 2 of 3

The following questions were answered about rail and rail safety in Aotearoa New Zealand:
1. In what ways do you use the railway? Do any of you catch a train to or from school? Who crosses the railway line on their way to and from school?
2. What are the main areas of safety you need to think about when catching a train or crossing the railway lines? 
3. What do you think is a good part of the rail system that makes it easy to be safe? 
4. Do you talk about rail safety at school? What sort of things do you discuss/learn about? 
5. Why is it important to revisit rail safety ideas, even if you catch a train or cross railway tracks often?
6. If you catch a train to school, what do you enjoy about the journey?
7. When you are a passenger in a car near rail, how aware are you of rail safety?
8. Which of you are big fans of rail? Why?
9. What would you say to people who think rail safety has nothing to do with them?

More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/railsafety203/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ Rail safety: walk-drive-ride safe around rail podcast 3 of 3

The following questions are posed and answered by a locomotive engineer (train driver) :
1. How did you learn to be a train driver? 
2. What is the best thing about your job? 
3. Who keeps the track safe? 
4. Who checks the train is safe? 
5. Does the snow affect the train? 
6. Could you explain the difference between a viaduct and a bridge?
7. How many deaths were there while the Otira tunnel was under construction? The cause of most deaths?
8. What is the steepest gradient within the Otira tunnel and the highest point?
9. Using today's technology, how much quicker do you think the Otira tunnel might have been completed in?
10. Have any earthquakes damaged the internal structure of the Otira tunnel?
More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/stemrail213/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ rail and STEM learning podcast 1 of 2

The following questions are posed and answered by a locomotive engineer (train driver) :
1. How do you build and test a New Zealand diesel train and what materials are involved? 
2. How do you get trains onto a track after they are built and how do you get them off if they need a repair? 
3. What is the speed of a train at a crossing and is there any way to tell it is coming other than the lights or barrier arms? 
4. What is the weight of an average train and how strong does a bridge need to be to handle a train? 
5. How does wild weather like earthquakes, lightning, and floods affect trains and tracks? 
6. How does a train balance on a train track and how do they stay and move along on them? 
7. Is there a gear system and how does it and the brakes work?
More at https://www.learnz.org.nz/stemrail213/connect-with-experts

LEARNZ rail and STEM learning podcast 2 of 2

Listen to Andrew the LEARNZ Teacher reading a page about New Zealand kauri with information about where it grows, its bark, leaves and cones, and its growth and size.

Kauri a forest giant

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