East Auckland environmental campaigner Ethan McCormick has earned the AsureQuality Emerging Leader Award at this year’s NZ Biosecurity Awards.
His work with Pest Free Howick ward and Friends of Mangemangeroa was recognised at the awards ceremony held in Auckland on October 31.
The judges said McCormick shines as an emerging leader who’s totally dedicated to teaching and inspiring youth to protect their local environment.
The awards’ organisers say he has a strong vision for a thriving predator-free New Zealand and works tirelessly with his community and teachers and students from 44 schools across the city to pass on his passion for biosecurity.
McCormick combines his environmental study as a university student with being a central member of the Pest Free Howick ward team and Friends of Mangemangeroa Trust.
He runs regular pest-free workshops for teachers and envirogroups, ‘Pestivals’, and community pest education.
He’s also piloting a cadet programme at Somerville Intermediate School.
Through a structured and analytical approach, McCormick has expanded his environmental leadership from a high school focus to contributing to environmental action in Mangemangeroa Reserve, Cockle Bay coastal bush, numerous Howick schools, and the wider community.
His leadership has normalised predator-free activity for the people of Howick, creating an ethos of “this is what we do”.
