Photo Gallery for Tūhura Ahuahu

Andrew and the ambassadors with Louise and Greg with Sassy the dog on this morning's web conference at the Shearers' quarters. Image: Shelley Hersey, LEARNZ.

Sassy the rodent dog has been trained to sniff out rats and mice. Why do you think she wears a muzzle? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Greg with Sassy near the dunes at Coralie Bay. Why would dunes be an area for Sassy to sniff around? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Greg shows the seed pod of a moth plant. Why are these seeds such a problem? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Areas like this on Ahuahu are great places for native plants and animals to thrive. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

There are over 300 trap boxes on Ahuahu. If there are no animal pests, why are there traps for them? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

A tracking card from a tracking tunnel. What information can these provide? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Wasps are also a problem on Ahuahu. This is a wasp bait station to help control them. What problems do wasps cause? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Ahuahu is privately owned but the public can still come onto the island. There are signs on popular beaches to remind people of their responsibilities. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Peach Grove Bay, Ahuahu. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Andrew and the ambassadors with Louise and Greg on this morning's web conference. Image: Shelley Hersey, LEARNZ.

Coralie Bay is a site of early Polynesian arrival in Aotearoa. In the background you can see Motutaupiri (one of many pā sites on the island). What were pā used for? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Here you can see Pari Nui Te Rā (the White Cliffs). This landmark is known for the great beacon that guided all waka to Aotearoa from Te Moana-Nui-O-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean). Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Here you can see some stone rows in a place called Waitetoke. These stones show an early gardening site. What do you think Māori grew here? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

These ditches on Matakawau (Stingray Point Pā) are not a natural feature. Why did people make them? How do you think they were made? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

These different coloured soils show where an old post hole would have been on Matakawau. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ. 

This is an excavated site on Matakawau. It shows where a kūmara storage pit would have been. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Louise Furey points out an irregularity in the soil. Can you see how the white stone (a natural feature) in the soil suddenly stops? I wonder what this shows? What might have been here? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

A collection of stone artefacts found here on Ahuahu. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

This is obsidian. It is commonly found throughout Aotearoa. What did early Māori use it for? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

This is a stone adze. Notice how smooth the stone is. How do you think Māori shaped this adze and get the stone so smooth? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Andrew and the ambassadors with Louise and James on this morning's web conference. Image: Shelley Hersey, LEARNZ.

Andrew with Mercury Bay Area School students (from left) Josie, Jack, Maria, and Reuben. Image: Shelley Hersey, LEARNZ.

Watching the waiata performance at Mercury Bay Area School. What could you learn from waiata in your region? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Andrew scrubs his boots to make sure they are free from dirt and seeds during the biosecurity check. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Socks are are favourite hiding place of seeds. Where else might you find seeds and plant material? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

All food going to Ahuahu must be placed into sealed containers. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Andrew and the ambassadors on board the boat that would take them to Ahuahu. Image: Shelley Hersey, LEARNZ.

Heading out from Whitianga Marina into Mercury Bay. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Heading into Huruhi Harbour at Ahuahu. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

The shearers' quarters, your accommodation during your stay at Ahuahu. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Andrew and the ambassadors at Bay of Islands airport. Image: Karren Penny.

Andrew was pleased to see the plane arrive given it was such a wet morning. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

The luggage is about to get loaded onto the Bombardier Q300 aircraft. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

The weather improved as we neared Auckland. This is a view of the Kaipara Heads. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

On the descent into Auckland airport, looking west towards Cornwallis and the Manukau Heads. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

A quick stop to stretch our legs on the way to Whitianga. Image: Shelley Hersey, LEARNZ.

Andrew and the ambassadors in Tairua, only 40 minutes drive from Whitianga. Image: Shelley Hersey, LEARNZ.

Andrew and the ambassadors at the beach in Whitianga - we made it! Image: Shelley Hersey, LEARNZ.