A Massey University student from Palmerston North has spent her summer as an intern with WAI Wānaka learning about endangered freshwater eels.

Giving students a chance to experience working within a community organisation and giving them a meaningful project to complete is important to WAI Wānaka, chairperson Mandy Bell said.

‘It’s a wonderful two-way exchange of knowledge and opportunities for the intern and WAI Wānaka,’ says Mandy.

Aaliyah Pakau-Timoti, who is studying for a Bachelor of Animal Science at Massey University and majoring in breeding and genetics, had the opportunity to participate in an internship through her university.

Aaliyah teaching the younger generation about the NZ longfin eel.

One of Aaliyah’s elective papers is environmental science so the opportunity at WAI Wānaka, which involves using new eDNA (environmental DNA) technology to understand where Tuna (in this case the NZ longfin eel) are located in the Upper Clutha basin, turned out to be the perfect match.

‘Having the opportunity to take part in this WAI internship has been an amazing experience,” Aaliyah said.

The NZ longfin eel is an endangered species of freshwater eel endemic to New Zealand, and Aaliyah learned about their importance to a healthy aquatic environment and the pressure they are under from dams on the Clutha River.

“I had to run my own project and all the work done was my own – this has increased my confidence and I feel better prepared for taking a job post-university,” Aaliyah said. 

“WAI offered a supportive environment with an experienced team to assist my work.”

WAI Wānaka offers a number of summer internships across various fields including business, science and education and they are just one part of the WAI Wānaka education plan, Mandy said.

The organisation also runs primary and secondary programmes with schools around the Upper Clutha, as well as engaging the wider community at events.

The local non-profit, which exists to improve ecosystem health, reverse biodiversity loss and keep water healthy, has just wrapped up a huge year.

As well as expanding its education programme, over the course of the year WAI Wānaka planted nearly 30,000 natives, protected more than 40,000m2 of riparian zones, undertook pest control work, continued work on the 60 actions in its community catchment plan, and completed the first year of the Jobs for Nature programme.

Learn more about WAI Wānaka here.

PHOTOS: Supplied