Kelp Gardeners Registration 2024/25 Season

Signup to take part in Kelp Gardening

The Kelp Gardeners Project is a community and manawhenua led conservation and regeneration activity, managed via Waiheke Marine Project. Our kaupapa (reason) operates at the intersection of various knowledge systems, including science, place-based wisdom, and notably, mātauranga Māori, this project places knowledge from Ngāti Paoa ki Waiheke at its forefront. Our aim is to encourage volunteers, local community and manawhenua to reflect more deeply on the moana (ocean) and the broader mauri (life force) of Tīkapa, Te moananui ā Toi, our Hauraki Gulf.

Across Raumati (Summer) we have 5 engagement dives, where we get our incredible volunteers in and under the moana to help us rebalance our inner-shore reef system at Enclosure Bay on Waiheke Island. We do so through the removal of our kina, guided by tikanga and with a Te Ao Māori lens. By engaging in the practice of Kelp Gardening, our volunteers gain a profound understanding of and actively contribute to marine care in their local environment.

Haere mai, join us and help lend a helping hand in revitalising the mauri of our local marine ecosystems. We can't wait to have you join us and have you be a part of the wider Kelp Gardeners whānau.

If you have any further pātai (questions) about the project, please do not hesitate to get in contact with our Coordinator Maia at pipi@waihekemarineproject.org

All of the information in this form is confidential, only to be shared with our Project Coordinator and dive provider EPIC Scuba.

Our Coordinator will be in contact with you in the weeks leading up to your dive after completing this form to get you sorted with all the necessary information for your day out with us.

Dates:

*Update 18/11/24 - Registrations are FULL only where indicated - If you would like to be added to the waitlist please get in touch with our coordinator Maia pipi@waihekemarineproject.org

16th November - (Cancelled due to weather factors)

1st December (manawhenua only) -

8th December -

25th January -

15th February -

1st March 2025 -

View them on our events calendar page here

Please only register for a single date

Join our Kelp Gardeners rōpū (group) for an exciting engagement dive day! This is a fantastic chance for our community to unite and fulfil our role as kaitiaki (guardians) of the local marine environment.

You have two options to participate in the dive days: snorkeling, scuba diving, or both. Snorkel sessions take place at low tide, while scuba sessions are scheduled for high tide. For additional details on the dive day logistics, our approach based on the maramataka (lunar calendar), and more, explore our volunteer handbook by clicking here. We look forward to having you out in the moana with us!

Register here

Name

First Name

Last Name

Phone number

Do you whakapapa to Ngāti Paoa

Yes

Are you part of the Regen Dive Programme?

Yes

Snorkeling Sessions

Please note, to take part in our snorkel session we require you to be competent in swimming in the ocean. The minimum age for snorkeling is 10 years old. If your prefered date is fully booked we will add you to our waitlist and notify you. Please enter only one Snorkeling date here (Scuba is next)

Scuba Sessions

Please note, that we require you to have a minimum of a PADI Open Water Dive Certification, or equivalent to take part in the scuba sessions and you must have been diving within a year. If your prefered date is fully booked we will add you to our waitlist and notify you. Please enter only one Scuba date here (Snorkeling is above)

Equipment

At each Kelp Gardener session, we can provide you with all the gear you need to take part. Once you have completed this registration you will receive an email from our Coordinator Maia, with the link to book any or all the gear you’ll need through the amazing team over at EPIC Scuba. By all means give us a heads-up now here that you need gear

Proof of Scuba Certification - SCUBA ONLY

We kindly ask for confirmation of the minimum EG, SSI & PADI Open Water certification for SCUBA volunteers. This ensures that all our scuba divers stay haumaru during their kina gathering adventures. Your cooperation in providing this proof is greatly appreciated for everyone's safety and enjoyment. Do you have a EG, SSI & PADI Open Water dive certification or equivalent?

Yes

Health and Safety

Ensuring the well-being and haumaru (safety) of our volunteers is our top priority, and knowing their health or personal conditions allows us to tailor the day to accommodate everyone safely. Your safety and comfort matter to us, and this information helps us create an environment where everyone can fully participate and make lasting memories together being kaitiaki (guardians) of our local marine environment. If you feel as though you would appreciate extra support/'eyes on you' out in the water, please share this below as we want to ensure you are as well looked after as possible. Are there any health or personal conditions our rōpū (team) should be aware of? If so, what are they?

Photo permissions

Do you consent to your photo and video being taken and used on Waiheke Marine Project affiliated media (i.e., Instagram, website, reporting, etc)?

Yes

Release Form Epic - SNORKELING version

Release Form Epic - SCUBA version

Return to the Pipi page for general event information and history