These last few weeks have been really busy at the Manawahe Eco Centre. We have had a variety of activities running this term including day trips from Otakiri and Awakeri Schools where we have visited the Karaponga Waterfall, made kites, had scavenger hunts and taken part in team-building activities. We also had a great visit from the Special Education department at Western Heights High School in Rotorua.

A highlight from this term has been hosting a 3-day camp with the year 12 Outdoor Education students from Whakatane High School. The students went mountain biking at Onepu, took part in raft building at Lake Rotoma and also learned about the importance of pest control at the Manawahe Eco Centre.

The First Aid course last month was a great success – the Manawahe Eco Centre is an excellent spot for scenario-based learning, and the course was attended by staff and cadets from HALO Whakatane and also from the Tuhua Wilderness Forest Experience.

The annual Manawahe Multisport race was held at the end of May, with competitors taking part from schools from Papamoa, Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatane. Rotorua Intermediate took out the prizes for year 7-8 girls, boys and mixed teams and Trident, Whakatane High and AGC (Tauranga) won the boys, girls and mixed teams respectively in the year 9-10 category. Many thanks to all of the supporters and marshals and to Chattan Farms and Pippa Strong for allowing us to use their land for parts of the event. A great time was had by all, with the highlights being the view from Chattan farms and the sausage sizzle at the end. Thank you also to Hunting & Fishing Whakatane for donating the spot prizes

As well as education, the Manawahe Eco Centre is available for the hosting of teambuilding and other events – upcoming we have a Motorhome Association coming to stay, a speaker on biodiversity and a workshop on indigenous forestry. Let us know if you have an event or other purpose that you would like to base at the Manawahe Eco Centre and we will do our best to accommodate you.