Kaiya Elmes is working hard to protect and preserve the underwater world she treasures.
Inspired by her dad’s love for diving and a desire to protect the oceans, Kaiya Elmes pursued a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University. And it’s taken her from the reef to the research lab.
After graduating from Macleans College, Elmes embarked on a five-year career as a scuba diving instructor and working in Aotearoa New Zealand’s first marine reserve at Goat Island while educating others on the importance of marine reserves instilled in her a sense of purpose she wanted to explore further.
“I naturally felt like a steward for my local environment, and I wanted to pursue my passion for environmental protection,” she says.
“It was important to me to expand my knowledge on environmental issues and be part of making real change in how our environment is managed and protected. I challenged myself to take on an environmental science degree with Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University when I was 23, and now completing the degree is what I’m most proud of.”
She credits the flexibility of her degree with allowing her to balance work, study and travel, enabling her to complete her qualification while in Australia.
“I love being outdoors and have a travel bug, which is why I valued the distance learning option so much—it gave me the freedom to work in remote places! I was able to participate as a research diver in the Crown of Thorn Starfish project on the Great Barrier Reef. My work included data collection with coral reef surveys, water column sampling collection for eDNA and culling mass outbreaks on vulnerable reefs.”
While she acknowledges the challenges of studying full-time while juggling other life commitments, she says she feels immensely proud to have given it her all.
“Balancing full-time study alongside offshore work with limited coverage was tricky, but it paid off in the end with incredible experiences and memories. I’m proud not only to have achieved my degree, but to have done so to a high standard. I was honoured to receive the Excellence Award in Environmental Science for third-year students, as well as the David Renouf Scholarship in Environmental Science.”
Now that she’s earned her degree, Elmes is eager to take the next step in her journey.
“The best thing I’ve learned is that while you can’t change everything at once, consistently doing your part in small ways can lead to a happier, healthier you and your surrounding environment. My next goal is to land a role in environmental consultancy, then after a few years, I want to return for postgraduate study.”
She is also deeply grateful for the support she’s received along the way from her university, her family and her upbringing.
“My dad started my scuba diving journey and instilled my love for the underwater world, while Goat Island Dive and Snorkel sparked my passion for protecting our oceans. I also have my mum and my boyfriend to thank for encouraging me to take on a degree!”
