Five students from Devon Intermediate School in New Plymouth investigated freshwater crayfish in Pukekura Park. Their research and subsequent video was entered into the Environmental Monitoring Action Project's (EMAP) Koura Kraze competition, which held every year in March. The competition encourages young people to take a greater interest in learning about the environment particularly freshwater crayfish.

The students carried out their research and shot their video during two day trips and a night trip. They chose a small shaded stream above the Bowl lake in Pukekura Park, New Plymouth as their study site. As a part of the competition they entered their results into the koura kraze online recording form.

The students found one large crayfish, banded kokopu and a mayfly. The water clarity - tested using a clarity tube- was 79cm (the national standard is 85cm) temperature 14 degrees and water level 80cm.

Remember: Freshwater crayfish are in gradual decline which means each year less and less are being found. You can help crayfish by monitoring them each year (koura kraze competition), protecting the environment - best to leave it untouched - and prevent chemicals, fertilisers and rubbish from entering waterways.

This video has won the following national awards:

EMAP Koura Kraze Competition, 2009, Highly Commended.
Ministry of Youth Development Awars, 2009, The Outlook for Someday - The Sustainability Film Challenge for Young New Zealanders.