Students (from the left) Trish Ngaheu, Ethan Walker and Lora Bougen set up for the interview, guided by Screen Arts Lecturer Mark Ingram
An old farm property provides meaningful learning experiences for our students
For nearly ten years a number of our students from several pathways have been involved in the restoration and regeneration of an old Kaipara farm property into a native forest, for all to enjoy.
CUE Haven overlooks the Kaipara Harbour and is owned by Thomas and Mahrukh Stazyk, which they originally purchased in 2003 to develop as a retreat.
Filming the initial interview with CUE Haven founders and now Trustees, Thomas and Mahrukh Stazyk
Over time, as they became more conscious of the impact of grazing on water quality, the lack of public native reserves in the region and the number of farms that were being subdivided for property development in their own west Auckland backyard, they decided to restore the land to a native nature reserve.
Every year students from across campus have visited CUE Haven on field trips, including Environmental Sciences, Architecture and Creative Industries. They’ve been involved in tracking the regeneration process, creating design concepts for a visitors/education centre, designing the wayfinding and educational signage, and creating film content for education and promotion of the project.
Earlier this year, students from our new NZ Certificate in Study and Career Preparation – Screen Arts programme, began their journey into this ‘real world’ learning environment. Led by Certificate Screen Arts Lecturer, Mark Ingram, the level 4 students are going through the process of ‘identifying the place’ – CUE Haven, curating it and telling the story via a short documentary.
They were challenged with identifying a story angle beyond what we already know, which also included meeting and interviewing the Stazyk’s. Through this experience they discovered that CUE Haven is about relationships. The project wouldn’t survive without the relationships and connections that drive CUE Haven as an educational resource and native reserve, from the Board who manages the volunteers, sponsors, educational partnerships and advice from the community, supporters and specialist resources, including the local iwi Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara.
The student documentary will explore these connections and the relationship between Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Unitec and CUE Haven as part two of their work, with the documentary due to be completed by the end of Semester 1.
The Stazyk’s goal to ensure everyone can enjoy the land and the educational values of CUE Haven came to fruition last year, with the gifting of the property to the CUE Haven Community Trust. And, in time, the QEII covenant will ensure it’s protected for all to enjoy forever.