Designed to build more meaningful connections to our local environment, the Tamariki Tiaki Programme will extend students’ experiences of the natural world through exploration, discovery, restoration and cultural understanding.
Programme Overview
Whenua Iti Outdoors will work with your school to co-design experiential programmes that connect tamariki to environmental sites of local significance. Whilst programmes focus on nature connection experiences they are also designed to align with your school curriculum: bringing to life place-based and history curriculum; applying science and social science curriculum; building core competencies and strengthening understanding of Te Ao Māori.
Please note: The order and type of activities may change due to weather or other safety reasons. Our educator team will communicate any changes with the teacher in charge.
Programme Locations
Takutai Coast
A day of activities at a local beach (takutai) with a focus on whakamana (empowerment). Explore tide cycles and marine life, get creative, work together, and enjoy nature-based beach games. Download Course Outline
Ngāhere Bush
Discover the plentiful resources the ngāhere (bush) provides us (manaakitanga) and how to help the forest. Explore connection to the forest ecosystem through bush craft, guided play and experiential learning activities. Download Course Outline
Awa River
A focus on hauora (holistic wellbeing) – be restored by and restore nature. Learn ways to improve wellbeing by spending time in nature, explore ancestral healing and investigate the health of the awa. Download Course Outline
Wairepo Wetland
Learn about the significance of wetlands to humans and other animals in Aotearoa, do some hands-on science, and help with a real restoration project to learn ways we can be guardians (kaitiaki). Download Course Outline
Whenua* Land
A day connecting with Papatūānuku (mother earth) on the schoolgrounds. Learn how to Manaaki nature in our spaces. Include activities such as a bug hunt, tracking tunnels, help planning a project, making seed bombs, art activities etc. Download Course Outline
*The Whenua day is located at your school site & could encompass multiple classrooms in one day.
Key Learning Objectives
- Cultural Understanding
- Identity & Connection
- Knowledge & Understanding
- Kaitiakitanga in Action
- Improved Learning & Wellbeing
Linking to Curriculum
- Helping your local and history curriculum’s come alive
- Real life application of your science and social science curriculum
- Your health and physical education curriculum
- Building core competencies such as managing self, relating to others, and participating and contributing.
Please note: Whenua Iti Outdoors operates in line with Ministry of Education COVID-19 guidelines. For our full policy, please see our Safety Page, or request a copy via email.
“The benefits to the students are huge, learning, sharing, participating and working together in nature – (the programme) provides an experience that we cannot replicate at school. For some students this will be a special and unique experience. We would love to promote more of that.” – Teacher
