(Left: David Riley (Todd Energy), Bart Jansma (Te Korowai) and Heavenlee Ngatai (Ngāti Haua)

Heavenlee Ngatai (Ngāti Haua, mokopuna of Sid Ngatai) pictured here with kaimahi Bart Jansma (Environmental Policy Advisor) and David Riley (Todd Energy), is a year 12 student at Opunake High School and has a special interest in science.  Earlier this week, she spent an afternoon accompanying Bart on a site visit to gain insight into the world of science and engineering.

“I was amazed at how they are trying to construct a bridge in a way that has less impact on the environment.  The bridge has a sediment filtering system which includes rocks placed under the bridge.  If the water overflows and washes the bank away these rocks then form a new bank.

David talked about a concrete nib that Bart had designed that stops effluent or paru from vehicles using the bridge from going into the river.  I was surprised to learn the bridge constructed from huge concrete slabs had been transported across Mount Messenger.

It was a really interesting afternoon and has given me a clearer understanding of the types of science that I want to pursue in the future.  Thank you to Bart Jansma for giving me this opportunity and to David Riley and Peter Bryant.”

Ngā mihi.