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Junior historians win UNESCO Living Heritage Awards

10-07-2007 (Wellington)

Artwork by students of Cannon's
Creek Primary School
(sculptures of Tuna)
© Cannon's Creek

The Awards for the best schools' websites on New Zealand heritage were presented during the World Heritage Committee meeting.

UNESCO's Deputy Director-General, Marcio Barbosa, presented the Awards at a special ceremony organized during the 31st session of the World Heritage Committee (Christchurch, New Zealand, 23 June - 2 July).

Living Heritage is a free, bilingual (English-Maori) online resource that enables schools all over New Zealand to develop and publish websites about heritage treasures of their communities. Living Heritage preserves history and culture in a digital format and allows children’s voices to present a view of New Zealand on the World Wide Web.

Through the support of the New Zealand National Library, the Living Heritage websites are being accessible to everyone on the Internet. “It’s wonderful to be part of connecting the children of today with our nation’s heritage, now and into the future,” sais Penny Carnaby, Chief Executive of the National Library.

The New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO has established the Award to celebrate schools whose work contributes to UNESCO objectives by capturing heritage resources for future generations.

This year’s winners are:

Franz Josef Glacier School for the website on the Okarito Brown Kiwi (some lovely creative work);
New Plymouth Central School for the website on Koru Pa located on the bend of the Oakura River, Taranaki (a fantastic exploration of a local landmark); and
Cannon's Creek Primary School for the website on Watercress Tuna, a local statue of the eel from Patricia Grace's book Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street (great use of stories and excellent research work).