Activity

Responding to Rena

In this activity, students consider short-term and long-term responses to an environmental disaster such as the Rena .

Rapid response to the Rena

Immediately following the grounding of the Rena on the Astrolabe Reef a marine response team was formed.

Rights: Video footage courtesy of the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and The University of Waikato.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • describe what might happen (environmentally) in the event of a maritime disaster such as the Rena

  • explain some short-term and long-term responses that might help to limit environmental damage.

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

  • introduction/background notes

  • what you need

  • what to do.

Related content

Explore the range of content we have on the Rena  disaster – start with this  introductory article . There are links to articles looking at some of the research undertaken around the disaster, some of the underpinning science concepts, student activities and more.

The What now for the Rena? Connected article looks at the aftermath of the 2011 environmental disaster 

Useful links

Note that the Rena  Recovery Project was declared complete in July 2015. 

The Rena Long-term Environmental Recovery Plan is an example of a government’s recovery plan following an environmental disaster.

View information on oils spills and the  Rena  oils spills on the  Bay of Plenty Regional Council  website teacher resources section.

Published: 11 January 2012,Updated: 8 August 2018