Awhi Awa Workshops Delivered Online: A New Way to Reach New Zealand Businesses
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Endangered Species Foundation has delivered its first online workshop for Awhi Awa | Embrace a Stream, with staff from Bupa's head office in Auckland. The online session that brought the story of our freshwater species and how we can all play a part in looking after waterways for some of our most endangered taonga.
The workshop, facilitated by ESF General Manager Natalie Jessup, introduced participants to the state of Aotearoa's freshwater environments and the species fighting for survival in our waterways.
From the concerning reality that 45% of our rivers are now unsafe for swimming, to the fact that 76% of native freshwater fish are threatened with or at risk of extinction, the session drew a clear picture of why this matters, and what all people and businesses can do to help.
Bupa staff learnt more about endangered freshwater fish species, including tuna | longfin eel, kanakana | lamprey, and all five species of mudfish, and discovered how their everyday actions, from what goes down the kitchen sink to how they wash their cars, connect directly to the health of local waterways.
The session also introduced the Awhi Awa kete, a suite of free resources available to businesses, schools, and community groups wanting to take care of a stream near them.
We also discussed the positive impact that these workshops are having for a diversity of communities, including Bupa village residents.
The online format proved a natural fit for the content. As Bupa participant Sharon Lehrke shared:
"The workshop was really engaging and had lots of interesting information to share, and the online format worked really well for the content too!"
For the Endangered Species Foundation, this session marks an important step forward.
"We are grateful to be able to pilot this delivery model," says Natalie Jessup. "It means we will be able to reach out to other businesses and teams around the country to share this project."
Awhi Awa is now available as an online workshop for your business or team.
The session is interactive, engaging and a way to build positive dynamics in your teams by doing something meaningful and empowering.
To find out more or to register interest please email us at info@endangeredspecies.org.nz.
