Macleans College students selected for environmental leadership programme
Posted on May 11, 2026
Five Macleans College students were recently selected for the Rangatahi Environmental Action Leaders (REAL) programme, run by Auckland Council. This programme focuses on developing leadership skills and empowering students to make a positive impact on the environment.
Thomas Guetter (Snell House), Addison Levy (Hillary), Lakshya Narooka (Hillary), Jessie Lin (Mansfield) and Nitya Kakadiya (Snell) attended a three-day wānanga in the school holidays. They took part in a range of hands-on activities that explored sustainability in Aotearoa New Zealand and its connection to both the environment and the community. A key focus was the role of mātaurnaga Māori (Māori knowledge) and the principles of Te Tiriti in guiding care for te taiao (the environment).
The group began at Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae, where they worked in the māra kai (food garden) and took part in Kai Ika, a project that redistributes fish parts that would otherwise go to waste. They also participated in leadership workshops. Other activities included waka ama, a beach clean-up at Renton Road, and visits to the Onehunga Community Recycling Centre and the Re.Group Materials Recovery Facility (a large-scale recycling plant that sorts and processes recyclable materials).
Students attended workshops on composting, sustainable transport and environmental advocacy. They also developed action plans to improve sustainability within the school and local community. These plans include hosting a clothing swap to promote reuse, improving water quality in the Macleans Park stream, exploring composting at school, pest trapping in the local area and collaborating with other schools to create a waste-free fundraising event.
The wānanga provided a valuable opportunity for students to build practical skills, deepen their cultural understanding and take meaningful steps toward environmental action.