LEARNING WITH ZEALANDIA

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is unique in Aotearoa: offering and enabling learning opportunities for young people within and beyond Te Māra a Tāne. As a world-leading conservation sanctuary Zealandia provides a living laboratory where people can learn about the natural history of New Zealand, the science of conservation, and what we need to know and do to successfully live with nature.

At Zealandia young people experience the richness and splendour of New Zealand's natural world from the calls of rare and endangered wildlife to the rippling greens of regenerating native forest. Young people discover first-hand the positive impact they can have as kaitiaki – guardians of the natural world.

Zealandia provides outstanding lifelong learning for all ages.

2024 ENQUIRES ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!

 

EDUCATION PROGRAMMES   |   ACTIVITIES & RESOURCES    |   YOUNG PEOPLE    |   PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 

 

A view over the lower lake in the sanctuary, showing a beautiful rainbow over the dam’s valve tower and the regenerating forest.photo credit: Zealandia

 

Education Programmes

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne provides a range of education programmes and resources that give students and teachers positive and inspiring naturebased learning experiences. Available within the Sanctuary, at your place, and in your community, education at Zealandia:

  • • Supports the New Zealand Curriculum, Te Marautanga o Aotearoa or Te Whāriki
  • • Enables positive environmental experiences for students and teachers.
  • • Is facilitated by experienced and knowledgeable education rangers.
  • • Can be part of your Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom (LEOTC) school trips..
 
 

Look at our sessions for ECE, Primary Schools, and Secondary Schools below. If you can’t find what you are looking for or would like to discuss specific requirements, please get in touch.

 

If you are a youth or school group visiting New Zealand from overseas or a NZ Not-for-Profit group, please have a look HERE at what is available for you.

PHONE: (04) 920 9204
 
 

Early Childhood EDUCATION
GROUPS

 

Read more about programmes
for ECE groups.

Primary & INTERMEDIATE School GROUPS

 

Read more about programmes
for Primary schools.

 

A Green Looper caterpillar makes its way down a kawakawa leaf, just like the children from ECE centres can make their way through the sanctuary.photo credit: Zealandia

Early Childhood EDUCATION GROUPS

From the tiniest mini-beast to the tallest Tōtara, bring your group on a journey of discovery with Zealandia.

 

ECE PROGRAMMES

MY FIRST SANCTUARY VISIT
- GUIDED -

Discover, and get comfortable, in nature. While exploring Zealandia, tamariki will experience the sights, sounds and smell of nature and start to see the world beyond their back door as a place for them.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

MINI-BEASTS
- SELF GUIDED SESSION -

Through stories, hands-on activities and exploration of the Zealandia ngahere, ECE tamariki will go on a voyage of discovery into the world of mini-beasts. Look a little closer to see some of natures smaller members.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

 

EXPERIENCE ZEALANDIA
- SELF-GUIDED -

Happy to show yourself around ZEALANDIA? Self-guided visits are available for your ECE group but must be booked in advance. Come and explore at your own pace and direction and see what you can discover!

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

ZEALANDIA @ YOUR PLACE
- OUTREACH -

Outreach for your ECE centre is available on request. Sessions can be tailored to meet relevant themes and outcomes. To discuss your requirements and availability please contact us.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

 

Term 3 2024 updates:

  • Some great activity ideas from the Eden Project (Cornwell, UK) here.
  • The free Nature at Your Place programme continues during 2024 – book now.
  • We are no longer handling education or scout group night walks. The Tours team will be taking over, feel free to reach out to them at tours@visitzealandia.com
  • Conservation week 2024 will be held during Term 3 over the 2nd-8th of September, this years theme is taking action for nature. More infromation and events can be found on the DoC website here

 

A toutouwai/New Zealand Robin eating a spider, two of the creatures primary school groups can discover and learn more about in the sanctuary.photo credit: Digitaltrails

 

PRIMARY & INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL GROUPS

Enter a living classroom! The ZEALANDIA valley, loaded with history, rippling with life and blooming with future promise provides a range of outstanding education opportunities for all ages, spanning topics and curriculum areas.

 

PRIMARY YEAR 1-8

Nature at Your Place
- FACILITATED PROGRAMME -

A free programme for all decile 1-6 schools in The greater Wellington region. This programme includes two outreach visits by Education rangers to your school and a sanctuary visit for your students.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

ZEALANDIA @ YOUR PLACE
- OUTREACH -

Outreach to your school is available on request. Sessions can be tailored to meet relevant themes and outcomes. To discuss your requirements and availability please contact us.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

PRIMARY YEAR 1-3

THE FAMILY OF LIFE
- FACILITATED SESSION -

Students begin to understand the tree of life and the relationships between the many species that exist on the planet. Students then explore the sanctuary and encounter species unique to New Zealand.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

MINI-BEASTS
- FACILITATED SESSION -

Students will learn about simple classification, life cycles and the habitats of these small but critical creatures. They will discover the important role of mini-beasts in the environment.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

PRIMARY YEAR 4-8

SPECIAL SPECIES
- FACILIATED SESSION -

Students experience and learn about the unique biodiversity of Aotearoa New Zealand’s native and endemic species. Experience the rich biodiversity and consider the impact of people upon it.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

PESTS & PREDATORS
- FACILITATED SESSION -

Students learn about the ecological role and effect of endemic, native & introduced predators in New Zealand, the strategies of their prey and the methods used by people to manage these introduced species.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

 

EXPERIENCE ZEALANDIA
- SELF-GUIDED -

Happy to show yourself around ZEALANDIA? Self-guided visits are available for your group but must be booked in advance. Come and explore at your own pace and direction and see what you can discover!

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK



 

 

 





 

TALES THROUGH TIME
- FACILITATED SESSION -

Students enter ZEALANDIA to hear stories of the valley: What can the valley’s past tell us? How and why did the people of Wellington build the world's first fully-fenced urban sanctuary? What does the future hold?

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

NATURE & NURTURE
- FACILIATED SESSION -

Students learn about the importance of being kaitiaki- guardians of the natural world as they experience the amazing pest- free valley at ZEALANDIA. Discover what’s possible when we act for nature.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

 

A 500-YEAR JOURNEY
- FACILITATED SESSION -

Students learn about the past, present and future of ZEALANDIA as they experience the valley. What stories of the past can the valley tell us and what does the future hold in its 500 year restoration journey?

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

 

THE NATURE OF SCIENCE
- FACILITATED SESSION -

Students become scientists in the field as they experience the valley and document the many amazing and unique species they can see! Ask questions, make observations and draw conclusions!

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

 

  •  

     

    “Our Educator was able to answer our questions very well and made us think about our wildlife in a way we understood.”
                                 - Student, Southbrook School

  •  

    “Very knowledgeable. Managed the students really well. Responding to their questions and needs. Spoke easily for them to understand. Kept their interests. Talked about birds, trees, plants, explained man-made structures and reasoning. Great use of Te Reo too.”
    ​                                       - Holy Family School

  •  

     

    “Despite the weather was poor, great discussions generated and had lots of opportunities to see birds etc. Inside interpretation centre fantastic.”
    ​                                       - Queen Margaret College

  • “Our Educator was excellent. They were enthusiastic and engaging. They recognised different students’ strengths and really empowered the students to think critically about the environment and changes. This was my first time visiting and I was amazed. The centre is so well set up and the students were highly engaged. We had a wonderful afternoon and would love to revisit and plan to spend more time exploring.”
    ​                                     - Ahuroa School

  •  

     

    “Even though the weather wasn’t the nicest it still helped make our visiting experience more interactive with nature and its beauty.”
    ​                         - Brandon Intermediate School

Term 3 2024 updates:​

  • The free Nature at Your Place programme continues during 2024 – book now.
  • Have you seen Pūtātara – a resource for learning opportunities that are place-based, inquiry-led, and focused on participation for change
  • Help us to create digital learning opportunities that meet your needs here
  • Conservation week 2024 will be held during Term 3 over the 2nd-8th of September, this years theme is taking action for nature. More infromation and events can be found on the DoC website here

 

A tūī taking flight. This is one of the species secondary school groups can study up close in the sanctuary.photo credit: Chris Helliwell

 

SECONDARY SCHOOL GROUPS

Just minutes from the centre of Wellington, Zealandia provides an incredible range of educational opportunities for secondary schools.

 

SECONDarY YEAR 9-13

Nature at Your Place
- FACILITATED PROGRAMME -

A free programme for all decile 1-6 schools in The greater Wellington region. This programme includes two outreach visits by Education rangers to your school and a sanctuary visit for your students.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

ZEALANDIA @ YOUR PLACE
- OUTREACH -

Outreach to your school is available on request. Sessions can be tailored to meet relevant themes and outcomes. To discuss your requirements and availability please contact us.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

DON’T FEED THE KĀKĀ
- FACILITATED SESSION -

Get involved in the solution! This session presents Year 9-10 students with a real-world situation and challenges them to devise a campaign to help prevent an undesired public behaviour – feeding kākā!

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

A LIVING WORLD
- FACILITATED SESSION -

Students experience the unique biodiversity of New Zealand at ZEALANDIA and learn about the dramatic impact of people upon it. Experience the rich biodiversity of Aotearoa and consider the impact of people upon it.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

NCEA BIOLOGY

WHERE HAVE ALL THE TAKAHĒ GONE? (Yr. 12)
- FACILITATED SESSION -

Explores the communities in which takahē live and the impact of the presence or absence of introduced mammals within these communities. This session supports Biology AS 91158.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

 

EXPERIENCE ZEALANDIA
-SELF-GUIDED -

Happy to show yourself around ZEALANDIA? Self-guided visits are available for your group but must be booked in advance. Come and explore at your own pace and direction and see what you can discover!

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

CITIZEN SCIENTISTS
- FACILITATED SESSION -

Students become scientists in the field as they experience the ZEALANDIA valley and document the many amazing and unique species that live there. Ask questions, make observations and draw conclusions!

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

SANCTUARY AND SOCIETY
- FACILITATED SESSION -

Students enter the world’s first fully-fenced urban sanctuary and learn about its origins, societal impact and ongoing growth as a successful ecotourism project in the heart of the New Zealand capital.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

PESTS & PREDATORS: MANAGING MAMMALS
- FACILITATED SESSION -

Learn about the ecological role and effect of endemic, native & introduced predators in New Zealand, the strategies of their prey and the methods used by people to manage introduced pest species.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK


PLANT AND ANIMAL RESPONSES (Yr. 13)
- FACILITATED SESSION -

In this study day, students explore ZEALANDIA to gain an understanding of the ways in which New Zealand plants and animals respond to their external environment. Supports Biology AS 91603.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

 

 

  •  

    "Great to hear questions from normally quiet students showing great engagement.”
                                           - Queen Margaret College

  •  

    “Visiting Zealandia brought our topic to life.”
                                            - Sacred Heart College

  • “Our Educator had incredible passion that came through very strongly in their tour. They were constantly providing specific extra details to keep the kids interested. They provided a Māori perspective at many points and were excellent at answering the kids’ questions.”
                                            - Papakaio School

  •  

    “It was spot on exact perfect wonderful and amazing, engaging interesting and valuable to
    all students and staff.”
                                            - Wellington High School

Term 3 2024 updates:​

  • Conservation week 2024 will be held during Term 3 over the 2nd-8th of September, this years theme is taking action for nature. More infromation and events can be found on the DoC website here
  • Help us to create digital learning opportunities that meet your needs here.
  • The free Nature at Your Place programme continues during 2024 – book now.
  • We are no longer handling education or scout group night walks. The Tours team will be taking over, feel free to reach out to them at tours@visitzealandia.com

Fairylights (aka pūrātoke/glowworms) are stread across the forest at night. photo credit: Brendon Doran

 

NEW ZEALAND & INTERNATIONAL YOUTH GROUPS

Just minutes from the centre of Wellington, young people can explore the richness and splendour of New Zealand's natural world.  

At Zealandia, New Zealand and International youth groups can experience the unique sounds of rare and endangered wildlife, feast their eyes on the colours of nature and be immersed in the aroma of the ngahere.

Join us to experience a unique New Zealand.

International Youth & School Groups

 

EXPERIENCE ZEALANDIA (ages 7 – 18)

Enter the world’s first fully-fenced urban sanctuary and discover some of New Zealand’s rarest and unique fauna, flora and fungi. Accompanied by ZEALANDIA Educators, your group will experience what Aotearoa was like before the arrival of humans and what it might look like again.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

 

A kākā looks out over Wellington CBD, about to spread its wings to bring you all the goodies Zealandia can provide.photo credit: Judi Lapsley Miller

 

ACTIVITIES & RESOURCES

Considering building a wētā hotel or creating the ultimate lizard garden in your backyard? Looking for a lesson plan to help you create a predator free school environment with your students or trying to find out how you can become a Conservation Ranger? 

Whether you are a teacher, a family group or a young person, Zealandia has a suite of activities and resources designed with you in mind.  

Have a look at the different areas below to discover something for you! 

Activities and resources are added on a regular basis. If you can’t find what you are looking for feel free to check back later or contact education@visitzealandia.com

FOR SCHOOLS & ECE

Curriculum linked activities and resources for use in the classroom, at your ECE centre, online or when learning from home.

FOR FAMILIES

Nature-inspired activities for the whole family. Indoors, in your backyard or at the local park these activities are a family experience.

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Looking for your next step or ideas to get creative in nature, check out these inspiring activities to connect you with the great outdoors.

 

YoungPeople - Photo by Chris Helliwell.jpgphoto credit: Chris Helliwell

 

YOUNG PEOPLE

Zealandia offers a range of opportunities for young people to get involved.

After school, during the holidays or at the weekend young people can take an active role for conservation.

EVENTS FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES

ZEALANDIA hosts a wide range of events for families and young people.

From craft activities to talks to taxidermy, ZEALANDIA connects young people and families to nature.

Youth Collective

ZEALANDIA’s Rāngai Rangatahi / Youth Collective is a diverse group of young people aged 14-18 who are passionate about the environment with a goal to make change.
Click through to find out more!

Young people weeding and planting – some of the things volunteers might get up to.

YOUTH VOLUNTEERING

Are you aged 14 – 25 and keen to contribute to conservation through volunteering? ZEALANDIA supports Forest and Bird Youth to provide opportunities for young people to volunteer. Find out more on the F&B Youth website.

 

Like a stream running through the forest Zealandia can invigorate your mind and help build a community.photo credit: Chris Helliwell

 

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

Curious to work with colleagues to find out how you can bring conservation and nature to the classroom? Are you looking for the opportunity to contribute your learning with an internship? Have you prioritised nature as a key focus area for professional learning and are interested in developing your leadership skills and knowledge?

Zealandia offers ongoing opportunities supporting Professional Learning and Development.

Biology teachers having a blast running some experiments at Zealandia.

TEACHER PLD

The ZEALANDIA Education and Youth team offer PLD opportunities for teachers at ECE, Primary and Secondary levels throughout the year.

Key focus areas are the science and social science curriculum strands, but we are happy to discuss specific requirements to create a bespoke PLD opportunity for your organisation.

PLD workshops and opportunities will be advertised as they become available.

 If you would like to work with ZEALANDIA to create a PLD opportunity at your organisation or if you would like to chat through what we can offer your learning please contact us.

education@visitzealandia.com

One of the Zealandia Conservation interns involved in some of the work in the sanctuary.

INTERNSHIPS

ZEALANDIA hosts internship opportunities across all areas of the organisation, particularly within the Conservation, Learning and Engagement and Enterprises teams.

If you would like to undertake an Internship at ZEALANDIA please get in touch

info@visitzealandia.com

Staff and volunteers at Zealandia involved in some of the work that revolves around science in the sanctuary.

ROYAL SOCIETY Science Teaching Leadership Programme

ZEALANDIA supports the Royal Society Science Teaching Leadership Programme.

If you are interested in working with ZEALANDIA as part of this programme please contact the Royal Society Science Teaching Leadership Programme.