Coastal Management - Taku tai, takutai

Explore the issue of coastal erosion - through natural processes and human interference.

Book a Learning Through Action school programme

Risk analysis and management information (RAMS) will be sent out once a programme booking is confirmed. If you require this at any other stage please email LTA@ccc.govt.nz or contact us(external link).

Programme overview

Year level 9 to 13
Curriculum level 4 to 8
Availability Year-round
Times 9.30am to 12 noon
Site New Brighton Beach, North New Brighton Beach
Cost Free
Number of students Maximum of 35
Special requirements None

Key concepts

  • Coastal management techniques (sand fencing, vegetation, gabions, groynes, sea and rock walls).
  • Erosion.
  • Values positions over the height of the sand dunes.
  • Human impacts along the Pegasus Bay Coast.

Lesson description

The Coastal Management programme has both an interactive indoor session, and a practical, hands-on session where students will be outside on the beach.

Students will have the chance to enter a debate considering the future of the coastal environment taking on the perspective of a wide range of community members.

Consideration will be given to the consequences of our interaction with the coastal area (past and present) and the variety of ways we can minimise our impact on this environment.

Students will build a mini-dune system and beach profile. They will work with a coastal park ranger to manage their beach area; learning about and using a variety of coastal management techniques, including sand fences, vegetation, groynes, gabions and sea walls.

Students will also have a chance to make their own mark in protecting and enhancing the environment, by participating in a beach clean-up or dune planting exercise, depending on the time of year.

An option is available to introduce your students to the ecological processes at the beach specifically focusing on the botanical biodiversity present. Please include this request in the 'Additional information' box in the booking form.

Learning outcomes

We are learning to:

  • Identify key reasons why coastal environments are special places.
  • Explain how people have used the coast and how the coast has changed from past to present.
  • Name at least three techniques used to prevent and reduce coastal erosion.
  • Identify at least three interest groups related to dune management in the coastal region and name at least one of their interests or concerns with how the dunes are managed.
  • Identify an action that they can take to reduce dune erosion.

Key competencies

Using language, symbols and texts

Students will interpret images, symbols and text to understand the dynamic nature of Christchurch’s changing coastline.

Thinking

Students will use critical and evaluative processes to reflect on and re-evaluate their ideas and values surrounding contemporary coastal issues.

Managing self

Across a variety of collaborative learning activities, students will manage their learning and behaviour and act in an appropriate and safe manner.

Participating and contributing

Students will join a discussion around their values and opinions of coastal issues and be expected to explain or expand on their ideas.

Relating to others

Students will work collaboratively and supportively to complete tasks; listen and share opinions and ideas, and support their classmates.

Achievement objectives

Curriculum area Strand and level Objective
Science
Pūtaiao
Nature of Science
Levels 4
Investigating in science
Communicating in science
Participating and contributing
Living World
Levels 4 to 6
Ecology
Technology 
Hangarau
Technological Practice
Levels  2 to 8
Brief development
Outcome development and evaluation
Technological Knowledge
Levels  2 to 8
Technological products
Technological systems
Nature of Technology
Levels 2 to 5
Characteristics of technology
Characteristics of technological outcomes
Social Sciences
Tikanga ā-Iwi
Levels 2 to 8 Social studies
Economics
Health and Physical Education
Hauora
Healthy Communities and Environments
Levels 2 to 4
Societal attitudes and values
Community resources
People and the environment

NCEA standards

Level 1

Subject Standard
Biology 1.2 AS90926
Geography 1.1  AS91007
1.3 AS91009
1.4 AS91010
1.6 AS91012
History 1.2  AS91002
1.4 AS91004
1.5 AS91005
Science 1.10 A 90949
1.12 AS90951
1.13 AS90952

Level 2

Subject Standard
Biology 2.3 AS91155
Business Studies AS90843
Earth and Space Science 2.3 AS91189
2.7 AS91193
Education for Sustainability 2.2 AS90811
2.3 AS90813
Geography 2.1 AS91240
2.3 AS91242
2.4 AS91243
2.6 AS91245
History 2.1 AS91229
2.2 AS91230
2.4 AS91232
Social Studies 2.1 AS91279

Level 3

Subject Standard
Biology 3.2 AS91602
3.3 AS91603
Earth and Space Science 3.2 AS91411
3.4 AS91413
Education for Sustainability 3.2 AS91735
3.3 AS91736
3.4 AS90831
Geography 3.1 AS91426
3.6 AS91431
History 3.1 AS91434
3.2 AS91435
Social Studies 3.1 AS91596