Zoo Trip

On Monday room 7 and 1 went on a school trip to the zoo. We went there to continue our learning about pest control but instead we looked and learnt about all the other animals at the zoo. I noticed a lot of things have changed like more habitats and buildings. I wanted to see the crocodiles but I don't think there were any there at the time. 

Some facts I learnt:

- Ostriches have the largest eggs in the world and largest eyes.

- Zebra stripes are used for there protection and camouflage.

- Spider monkeys have four fingers and no thumb.

- Giraffes have the same amount of bones in their neck like people.

I really enjoyed the time I spent with my friends and class mates.

Water Safety

Today we had a water safety session with Danielle. She talked about what we wear if we go on a boat, how to act around the pool, how to get out of a current at the beach, and a lot more. 

She told us the reason why we walk around the pool is just in case we slip hit our head and then fall in to the pool. How to get out of strong currents is to not try and go against it and use all your energy, instead just go with it and when it's calmed down swim parallel to shore. Last but not least why we wear a life jacket. We wear life jacket on boats for our safety. If the boat tipped over or you fell in then you would be able to stay afloat.

I really enjoyed the session we had just remember to stay safe around waters.

Cooking Tech (Banana Pike-lets)

At tech we made Banana Pike-lets. My partner was Kotipi. I found it very hard to keep the pike-lets round. Some of the last pike-lets were burnt because we hadn't realised how fast the banana pike-lets cooked.  

Ingredients
Self raising flour
Caster Sugar
Salt
Butter
Egg
Milk
Banana
Vanilla Ice-cream

Equipment:
spoon

bowl
saucer
spatula
pan
measuring cup

We then served our banana pike-lets with french vanilla ice cream and blueberry sauce on top. I enjoyed making them and i wonder what where making next week?

Cooking Class At Tech (Making Hotcakes)

On Wednesday we had cooking class at tech. We made hotcakes, they're tiny versions of pancakes. My partner was Kotipi, if you would like to make it here are the ingredients.

Ingredients:
Baking powder
Flour
Sugar
1 egg
Butter
Milk (Three quarters of a cup)
Sauces (golden syrup, chocolate sauce, wiped cream)

Equipment:
bowl
saucer
spoon
spatula
pan
measuring cup

Kotipi and I took turns mixing and making the hotcakes and then out of no where Kotipi flipped the hotcake over and it landed on the floor, we all laughed and kept caring on cooking. We cleaned up and finished first out of everyone, then took some photos. I was proud of myself and I think Kotipi was too. Hopefully we make something nice next week.

Tech Online

Yesterday we had tech online. We switch our groups over now I'm in the cooking class. The teacher that will be teaching us is Mrs Hamer. I thought we were going to learn how to make something but instead we just learnt about safety in the kitchen, the equipment we use, and what we wear. 

Then we played cooking games. The first one was called boiled eggs. All you had to do was keep it at the right temperature. The next game we played was burger time. Now this one was kind of tricky for me because, when someone orders you have to make exactly what the ordered before the timer goes off, or they don't pay you, and there were a lot of customers coming in.

I enjoyed tech, I hope we can go back to school next week, just remember stay safe be kind.

Quarantine

 Today is the first week of our lock down and we have online schooling again. This time it's a lot more easier because we know what to do and we can work through everything much more faster. It doesn't feel the same as where at school but we all just got to work with what we have.

To use the time we have, we can spend time with our family, cook, play in the back yard, go on walks, or even help clean the house. Do what ever you can to keep yourself busy this quarantine. 

I hope we can go back to school soon but until then stay safe.  

 

Cook Island Language Week!

Last week Friday we celebrated cook island language week, some students came in their traditional clothing from cook island while the rest just came in their uniform. At our school we don't have a lot of cook island students but we try to even all the cultures out.

At lunch time one of our student parents made our school a cook island lunch, her name is Akyile Rata, but we call her Kai for short. She made everyone a plate filled with chop-suey, mai nese, rice, and cook island donuts. It was delicious and I think everyone enjoyed it. 

Digital Map

This is a map about where i have been on my Chromebook in the last 24 hours. The site I have been on the most is YouTube. The lest site I have been on is my drive, blogger and gmail. 

Auckland Airport Runway Shortened

Auckland Airport's runway is currently shortened by one kilometer. However, the airport is still able to function.

The airport started working on preparing panels in the touchdown area which had become damaged. An 80-strong construction team is working to shorten the runway.

The repair work on the runway replacing 280 slabs of concrete. It was planned for later this year, but the drop in the air traffic due to Corona virus has allowed the airport to begin the work earlier.

Water Restrictions For Auckland

Water restrictions have begun for those that are living in Auckland. New Zealand's largest city is currently experiencing one of their worst droughts.

One dam, in the Waitakere Ranges, is only 27% full. The boat ramp, usually used to access the lake, doesn't get close to the water surface. It hasn't been this empty since 1994.

Auckland has had just 35% of its normal rainfall this year which is the reason for the low levels.

The new by-laws in Auckland means sprinklers, water blasters and car washes are all banned. All outdoor hoses are banned. 

Back To School

Today we start back at school. After a long time in quarantine. There wasn't much people at school today, but the rules at school have changed. We have to wait outside the gate and our teacher will get us from there, also before entering our class we have to sanitize our hands.

When I came into class today all our desks were separated, and it just didn't feel the same as before. After we got comfortable with our class it was morning tea. We couldn't play basketball! (playing basketball is a big thing at my school) we had to just walk around, play with a tennis ball or sit under a tree.  

For me this is going to take a long time to get use to. I hope we can get back to the normal way like before, but until then keep washing your hands and keep safe.

School Is Back - New Zealand Moves To Level 2

Prime Minister Jacinda Adern has announced New Zealand will be moving to Level 2 on Thursday. Business will be opening on Thursday and school will be starting back up on Monday 18th May.

The limit for social gatherings will be limited to groups of 10 for the next two weeks. The new limit would be applied to parties at home, church meetings, weddings, funerals and group bookings at restaurants and bars.

People attending the movie theatre would have to be spaced out. Our Prime Minister Jacinda Adern said, we might have won the battle, but we have not won the war.

I am excited to go back to school to see my friends. Just a reminder to keep washing your hands for 20-30 seconds and stay safe.

List Of Prime Minister's Gifts Made Public

New Zealand Parliament has unveiled a list of gifts given to the Prime Minister in the last year. The list includes tickets to sports events, music concerts, and event's for helicopter rides.

This years list shows that Prime Minister Jacinda Adern received a range of gifts, including tickets to Elton John's concert, and U2 - with those tickets gifted by lead singer Bono.

Other gifts included products from Loreal, a lifetime subscription to TIME magazine, and tickets to Warriors and All Blacks matches.

I think Prime Minister Jacinda Adern deserves these gifts for trying her best to keep our country the best, and for being the best Prime Minister she can be. What do you think?

Rare Birds Given Special Lockdown Treatment

Five rare tuturuatu shore plovers were granted a lock down exemption this week. The birds were transported by Department of Conservation experts from Christchurch to Mana island Wellington.

The birds are part of a critical conversation program to establish a new population. Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage said that there were just 250 of these birds left in the world. These birds are critical part of the attempts to establish a population on the pest-free Mana island.

Department can complete essential work if it will help meet significant animal welfare. The work must be able to be done in a way that is safe for staff and meets requirements for minimal contact under Alert Level 4.

New Names And Boundaries For Electorates

The final names and boundaries for electorates in the next election have been announced.

The biggest change is the addiction of a whole new electorate to the South of Auckland's CBD. It will be called Takanini. It will bring the total number of Auckland region electorates up to 25.

The number of Maori electorates will remain at seven, but boundary changes will be made to five of them.

Changes are also being made in Nelson, Whangarei, the Waikato region, and the bay of Plenty region. Overall, 31 general electorates have been left unchanged.

Feijoa Season Is Coming!

New Zealand is set for a bumper Feijoa crop in 2020. The drought conditions which have hit many regions have actually helped in producing more of the delicious fruits, mostly green fruit.

Growers have said that this year's crop is approximately 20% higher than last year. It is expected that around 1,500 tonnes will be harvested this season.

Feijoas are really high in vitamin C. During autumn and winter it is more important than ever consume plenty of fresh fruit to boost our immune systems and fight off any coughs, colds or bugs.

New Zealand First Online Supermarket

New Zealand's purpose to build the online supermarket was due to the covid 19, they opened the online supermarket yesterday.

The new Countdown e-store is located in Penrose in Auckland. It is predicted that the new store will fill up to 7,500 online orders a week from the Auckland region.

It will employ 200 people, including 106 new jobs. The e-store, witch will operate 24-hours a day, and opened seven days a week. 

Countdown said the new e-store will significantly ease the pressure of staff at 10 busy central Auckland supermarkets. 

I think this is a good thing for New Zealand as the supermarkets are always packed. So what do you think? 

                                     !Stay Safe And Be Kind!

Mining Ban Off Taranaki Coast Continues

Mining off the Taranaki Coast is still banned, but a mining company called Trans Tasman Resources went to court to try and change the new rule set in place by the government. The company wanted to mine millions of tonnes of iron sands off the coast of Taranaki.

However, the Court of Appeal has dismissed the attempt by Trans-Tasman Resources to overturn a 2018 High Court decision. 

The Court also found Treaty of Waitangi principles were not adhered to. The judge said that the “kaitiakitanga relationship between tangata whenua, the marine environment and its resources is a relevant existing interest. 

Forest and bird chief executive Kevin Hauge said the decision was important as New Zealand considered how to rebuild its economy after the shock of the (Covid-19) Corona virus. 

Air NZ Completes Last Ever London To LA Flight

Air New Zealand has completed its last every London to Los Angles flight. 130 employ flight attendants, were meant to finish in October. The airline had planned to replace the London service with one to New York.

However, due to the impact of corona virus on air travel, the route is suspended until the end of June. This means the iconic London to LA flight will no longer happen.

Air New Zealand has been flying between Auckland and London for 36 years. The route carried the flagship flight number, NZ1 – or NZ2 if you were flying north.

The final flight was, of course, an emotional time for the crew on board and staff on the ground. 

Due to the corona virus I just want to say wash your hands, stay clean and stay safe.

We Are All Different But The Same

You may have heard about the cliche, well it would be boring if everyone in the world were the same.

So it was the one year anniversary of the Christchurch Mosque shooting on 11 of March 2020. With the time that has passed, this awful event might have slipped your mine, but we must make an effort to remember what a lesson it taught us, that we should treat everyone equally, respect everyone's culture and learn about them.

Where we come from isn't what makes us New Zealanders, it's what we show. We show our kindness and our kiwi attitudes. So respect each other and learn about other cultures.

Where are your ancestors or family from?

The Department of Conservation is set to use a new drone to help with pest control. The drones will cost $790,000 and is a key step in making New Zealand predator-free by 2050.

Drones have the potential to remove pests from remote offshore islands, respond to pest numbers and suppress predators on mainland New Zealand. Drones have not previously been used in New Zealand.

The new drones will be conditioned with a new light-weight bait spreader to apply non-toxic cereal baits over areas between 600 to 2000-ha.

I think this is a good idea but a very long time. So what do you think about this?