Recently, 13 schools across Auckland were recognised for their long-term commitment to sustainability through the national education programme Enviroschools. 

The Enviroschools programme encourages children, their schools and their families to think and act sustainably.  

There are 784 Enviroschools in New Zealand, 139 of those are in the Auckland region. Early childhood centres, primary, intermediate and secondary schools are all part of the nationwide programme.

The Green Gold Enviroschool signs and flags were presented to St James Kindergarten, Bayview Primary, Bayswater Primary, Beachlands School, Henderson Valley Primary, Onehunga Primary School, Owairaka District School and Northcote College.

Silver signs were presented to Churchill Park School, Glendowie, Green Bay Primary and Wakaaranga School, Farm Cove.

The Enviroschools programme gives young people the opportunity to become role models and make a difference in their communities by applying their ideas and energy to real-life situations. 

This involves working on a range of sustainable projects including native tree planting, stream restoration and beach clean-ups. 

As well as helping their wider community, students introduce initiatives to improve their own schools such as reducing waste going into landfill, saving water by installing water tanks and planting their own vegetable gardens.

The programme also teaches important life skills and encourages young people to become the environmental leaders of the future by making informed decisions and taking appropriate action. 

Three stages of the Enviroschools programme - Bronze, Silver and Green Gold - are achieved by schools that have integrated environmental learning into their programmes. 

The presentations were made by councillors and local board members, with celebrations attended by current and former pupils, teachers, parents and Enviroschools representatives.