Waitaki Girls' High School year 13 pupil Breanna Greaney, Wakatipu High School year 13 pupil Gareth Harcombe, Otago Boys' High School year 11 pupil Benjamin Burrow and Central Southland College year 13 pupil Lachlan Thomson are among 56 year 11-13 pupils from across the country who were selected to participate in the week-long programme (April 12-18) in Waikato. The group is learning about environmental issues facing New Zealand, including climate change, marine and freshwater health, and biodiversity decline. "Blake Inspire develops young New Zealanders who are prepared to take on the environmental challenges we face today." The Ministry for the Environment sees part of its role is to support the education and leadership skills of New Zealand's next generation. Lachlan Thomson"Blake Inspire is the place where discussion and debate flourish, and this is fundamental to progress our work on environmental issues."

Source: Otago Daily Times April 14, 2019 16:30 UTC