A passion for restoration takes root

Student journalist Roshni Bhatia discovers what turned a search for service points into a commitment to environmental restoration.

Year 11 Rangitoto College student Nirudi Rathnayke first came to Te Hōnonga a Iwi looking for service points towards her Junior Summit Diploma. She stayed because she discovered a genuine passion for the mahi.

Now a youth leader with the restoration, Nirudi has become part of a community working to restore the local environment, while finding a sense of purpose and connection along the way.

Originally from Sri Lanka, Nirudi moved to New Zealand from Oman and has brought her own experiences and perspective to her volunteering.

She is a part of this project because she genuinely appreciates the sense of community and the real impact youth workers make. 

Nirudi says, “Seeing how everyone worked together to restore the environment made me want to be a part of something meaningful, where my effort actually helped the space around us.” 

She also wishes people understood the importance of protecting the environment. “We’re living in a time with some of the highest extinction rates ever, so it’s important we take initiative now to help save our planet.” 

At school, Nirudi really enjoys science and geography. She is a part of various service clubs like UNICEF, SPCA, WWF, UNESCO, and TOTCUS, and she is also a member of Rangitoto College’s service and leadership committee.

Nirudi really looks up to Dian Fossey, who has dedicated her life to protecting mountain gorillas, and Ynes Mexia, who is one of the most successful botanists in history despite starting her career later in life. Dian demonstrated how powerful it is when one person fully commits to conservation, even in difficult conditions. Ynes, on the other hand. discovered hundreds of plant species, proving that passion and determination can lead to a huge environmental impact. Collectively, both of them remind Nirudi that “protecting nature takes courage, persistence, and a willingness to step up, even when work is challenging.”

Two years ago, Nirudi planted some seeds. Seeing them growing strong now serves as a reminder to her that small actions add up over time. 

Once, Nirudi and her team’s path was flooded, so they had to find an entirely different route just to reach the traps, which they have a laugh about now. 

Now, as Nirudi has realised the impact certain materials have on te taiao, she is much more mindful of recycling and reusing things.

Nirudi is a wonderful youth leader who is making a great impact on our environment, and her work, along with what many New Zealanders are doing, is hugely appreciated.