LEARNING WITH ZEALANDIA

ZEALANDIA 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.

BOOKINGS FOR 2020 ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!
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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 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.

 

Term 2 2020 updates:

  • ZEALANDIA is open to the public and for ECE visits from 16 May. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Sanctuary. Bookings are essential so please contact us on education@visitzealandia.com
  • Outreach visits to your ECE Centre are available at Alert Level 2. ZEALANDIA outreach, designed together with your Centre, is fun, engaging and supports a range of learning goals.
  • Have you built a Lizard Garden at your ECE Centre yet? If not, now is your chance! Build a Lizard Garden

IS THIS THE WAY HOME? STORYTELLING

Kereama the kākā has grown too big for his nest. Now he must venture out from the safety of the Tararua Ranges to find a new place to live. Join him as he goes on his quest to find a new home.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

CREATING ZEALANDIA: STORYTELLING

Bring tamariki on a journey and discover how ZEALANDIA came to be. In this interactive storytelling, ECE groups will discover the valley, help construct the fence and release species into their new safe haven.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

MINI-BEASTS

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.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

SELF-GUIDED EXPERIENCE @ ZEALANDIA

Happy to show yourself around ZEALANDIA? Self-guided visits are available for your ECE group but must be booked in advance.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

ZEALANDIA @ YOUR PLACE

Outreach for your ECE centre is available on request. To discuss your requirements and availability please contact us.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

 

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.

 

  •  

     

    “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 2 2020 updates:​

  • ZEALANDIA is open to the public and for school visits from 16 May. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Sanctuary. Bookings are essential so please contact us on education@visitzealandia.com
  • Outreach visits to your school are available at Alert Level 2. ZEALANDIA outreach, designed together with your school, is fun, engaging and supports a range of learning goals.

Nature at Your Place (Yr. 1-8)

A free programme for decile 1-6 schools which includes outreach visits by Education rangers to your school and a sanctuary visit for your students.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

THE FAMILY OF LIFE (Yr. 1-3)

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 (Yr. 1-3)

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

TALES THROUGH TIME (Yr. 1-3)

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 stories are waiting to be written?

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

NATURE & NURTURE (Yr.1-3)

Students learn about the importance of being kaitiaki- guardians of the natural world as they experience the amazing pest-free valley at ZEALANDIA.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

SPECIAL SPECIES (Yr. 4-8)

Students experience and learn about the unique biodiversity of Aotearoa New Zealand’s native and endemic species.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

A 500-YEAR JOURNEY (Yr. 4-8)

Students learn about the past, present and future of ZEALANDIA as they experience the valley. What stories of the past can the valley tell? 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

PESTS & PREDATORS (Yr. 4-8)

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

THE NATURE OF SCIENCE (Yr. 4-8)

Students become scientists in the field as they experience the valley and document the many amazing and unique species they can see!

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

SELF-GUIDED VISIT @ ZEALANDIA (Yr. 1-8)

Happy to show yourself around ZEALANDIA? Self-guided visits are available for your group but must be booked in advance.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

AFTER DARK DISCOVERY WALK (Yr. 3 – 8)

Explore the sanctuary at night and let your senses come alive to spot kiwi, tuatara, tuna and more.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

SLEEPOVER @ ZEALANDIA (Yr. 3-8)

Experience the sanctuary as day turns into night and the nocturnal creatures stir. Take part in a night walk, sleepover in the sanctuary Visitor Centre and then venture into the valley to hear the dawn chorus.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

ZEALANDIA @ YOUR PLACE

Outreach to your school is available on request. To discuss your requirements and availability please contact us.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

 

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.

 

  •  

    "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 2 2020 updates:​

  • ZEALANDIA is open to the public and for school visits from 16 May. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Sanctuary. Bookings are essential so please contact us on education@visitzealandia.com
  • Outreach visits to your school are available at Alert Level 2. ZEALANDIA outreach, designed together with your school, is fun, engaging and supports a range of learning goals.

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

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

UNDERSTANDING PLANT AND ANIMAL RESPONSES (Yr. 13)

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. This session supports Biology AS 91603.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

UNDERSTANDING SPECIATION (Yr. 13)

Using the ZEALANDIA valley as context, students learn about how New Zealand’s flora and fauna have evolved. This session supports Biology AS 91605.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

HEALTHY WATERS? A STREAM STUDY (Yr. 11-13)

With the headwaters of the Kaiwharawhara stream within its boundaries, students visit ZEALANDIA and carry out a practical investigation of the stream environment. This session can support Biology AS 91601.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

PLEASE DON’T FEED THE KĀKĀ (Yr. 9 –10)

Get your students involved in the solution! Please don’t feed the kākā presents students with a real-world situation and challenges them to come up with a campaign to help prevent an undesired public behaviour – feeding kākā!

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

A LIVING WORLD (Yr. 9 –13)

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

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

CITIZEN SCIENTISTS (Yr. 9 –13)

Students become scientists in the field as they experience the ZEALANDIA valley and document the many amazing and unique species that live there.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

SANCTUARY AND SOCIETY (Yr. 9 –13)

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 (Yr. 9 –13)

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

SELF-GUIDED VISIT @ ZEALANDIA (Yr. 9-13)

Happy to show yourself around ZEALANDIA? Self-guided visits are available for your group but must be booked in advance.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

AFTER DARK NIGHT WALK (Yr. 9 –13)

Explore the sanctuary at night and let your senses come alive to spot Kiwi, tuatara, tuna and more.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

SLEEPOVER @ ZEALANDIA (Yr. 9-13)

Experience the sanctuary as day turns into night and the nocturnal creatures stir. Take part in a night walk, sleepover in the Sanctuary Visitor Centre and then venture into the valley to hear the dawn chorus.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

ZEALANDIA @ YOUR PLACE

Outreach to your school is available on request. To discuss your requirements and availability please contact.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

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

New Zealand Youth Groups

 

SLEEPOVER @ ZEALANDIA (ages 7-18)

Experience the sanctuary as day turns into night and the nocturnal creatures stir. Take part in a night walk, sleepover in the sanctuary Visitor Centre and then venture into the valley to hear the dawn chorus.

MORE INFORMATION & BOOK

AFTER DARK NIGHT WALK (ages 7 – 18)

Explore the sanctuary at night and let your senses come alive to spot kiwi, tuatara, tuna and more.

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

SHOW ME!

FOR SCHOOLS & ECE

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

SHOW ME!

FOR FAMILIES

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

SHOW ME!

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.

Telemetry – one of the things young people might encounter and get to try at our events for families.

EVENTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE & 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.

ZEALANDIA Events

Zealandia Youth Ambassadors after a successful day weeding in the sanctuary.

ZEALANDIA YOUTH AMBASSADORS

If you are aged 15-18 and want to develop your leadership and conservation skills as part of a team with other people your age, get in touch with us via email. We'd love to hear from you. New opportunities to get involved will be opening later in 2020 so watch this space!

education@visitzealandia.com

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. You can find out about volunteer opportunities for you by contacting

youthwellington@forestandbird.org.nz

 

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.