Projects

Planting Native Trees and Providing Havens for Native Animals

This project supports kaitiakitanga by restoring habitats for native species and strengthening students’ relationship with the whenua. It honours Te Tiriti by empowering tamariki to act as guardians of their local ecosystems in partnership with mana whenua values.

Type: PDF. Size: 8mb.

Embrace the Wild

By exploring local biodiversity through a Māori lens, students deepen their understanding of mauri and the interconnectedness of all living things.
The project reflects Te Tiriti principles by fostering shared responsibility for caring for the environment.

Type: PDF. Size: 15mb.

Dear World Storytelling

Sharing stories of hope encourages students to express their whakapapa connections to place and people, recognising that caring for Papatūānuku is a collective responsibility. This aligns with Te Tiriti by uplifting diverse voices and valuing Māori perspectives on environmental wellbeing.

Type: PDF. Size: 11mb.

Global Pen Pals

Connecting with global peers helps students appreciate cultural diversity while grounding their identity in te ao Māori concepts such as manaakitanga and whanaungatanga. It reflects Te Tiriti by promoting mutual respect and intercultural understanding.

Type: PDF. Size: 11mb.

World Peace Day: A Celebration of Peace and Compassion

Celebrating local “Peace Heroes” encourages students to recognise rangatiratanga and leadership within their own communities, including Māori role models. This supports Te Tiriti by valuing contributions from all cultures and promoting peaceful, inclusive communities.

Type: PDF. Size: 5mb.

Community Gardens

Creating a garden reflects Māori principles of mahinga kai, sustainable food gathering, and caring for the land. It gives effect to Te Tiriti by encouraging collaborative stewardship and recognising traditional ecological knowledge.

Type: PDF. Size: 6mb.

Cleanup: Waterways and Parks

Cleaning local spaces supports kaitiakitanga and acknowledges the cultural significance of waterways (awa) and land (whenua) to Māori. It upholds Te Tiriti by involving students in collective action that protects shared taonga.

Type: PDF. Size: 8mb.

Reduce, Reverse, Recycle

Reducing waste aligns with Māori values of tiaki (care) and whakamana (uplifting the mana of the environment). This project reflects Te Tiriti by encouraging sustainable practices that honour the mauri of natural resources.

Type: PDF. Size: 6mb.

ReWild Your School: Community Mapping

Mapping and restoring school grounds mirrors Māori approaches to understanding place through mātauranga and whakapapa. It supports Te Tiriti by involving students in decision‑making and environmental action that respects local knowledge and ecosystems.

Type: PDF. Size: 6mb.

School Garden Programme

A school garden becomes a living expression of mātauranga Māori around planting, seasons, and biodiversity. It honours Te Tiriti by integrating Māori knowledge systems and fostering shared guardianship of the land.

Type: PDF. Size: 7mb.

Chimpanzees

Learning about global conservation issues encourages students to reflect on manaakitanga and the responsibility to care for all living beings. This project aligns with Te Tiriti by promoting ethical decision‑making and global citizenship grounded in local values.

Type: PDF. Size: 6mb.

Awesome Aotearoa

Learning about New Zealand’s unique species helps students understand how animals and plants are adapted to their habitats and why they are important to Aotearoa. Exploring the impact of introduced predators helps students understand the threats native species face and why conservation is important.

This learning develops kaitiakitanga, encouraging students to care for native species, their habitats and the wider environment.

Type: PDF. Size: 7mb.

The Sun Powers all Life

We all benefit from the life giving properties of the Sun. Placed at the centre of our solar system, its light ensures that plants are nourished, providing food for the rest of the living world. Food chains offer us a representation of this power.

Type: PDF. Size: 7mb.

Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Learning about earthquakes, volcanoes and tectonic plates is especially important for students in Aotearoa because our country sits on the boundary between two major tectonic plates. Understanding how the Earth moves helps students know why earthquakes and volcanic activity happen, recognise potential hazards, and learn how to stay safe and prepared. It also helps them understand and appreciate the incredible landscape that makes Aotearoa unique.

Type: PDF. Size: 7mb.

Climate Savers

Understanding climate change in New Zealand helps us know how our changing climate affects our people, animals, forests, oceans and communities. Learning about it helps us make informed choices, such as saving energy, reducing waste and protecting our natural environments. It also helps us prepare for future changes and take action to create a safer, healthier and more sustainable Aotearoa for future generations.

Type: PDF. Size: 8.5mb.

Our Coasts

We learn about our coasts because they are an important part of Aotearoa. They provide homes for plants and animals, places for people to live and work, and areas for recreation and food gathering. Learning about our coasts helps us understand how they are changing through erosion, sea-level rise and human activity, and teaches us how we can protect them for future generations.

Type: PDF. Size: 7mb.

Rainfall Collectors

Learning about weather and climate helps students understand why the weather changes, how it affects their daily lives and how to stay safe. It helps them make informed choices about clothing, travel and activities and understand how communities prepare for hazards such as floods and extreme weather. It also builds awareness of how different places experience different weather and how understanding weather patterns can help us plan, adapt and care for our communities and environment.

Type: PDF. Size: 8mb.

Rainforests of the World

Learning about rainforests helps students understand that people, animals and environments are connected, even when they are on opposite sides of the world. Rainforests provide homes for wildlife, resources for people and help support healthy global environments. Learning about deforestation helps students understand how human choices can affect ecosystems and communities. Comparing New Zealand with Southeast Asia also helps students appreciate different cultures, environments and ways of life and encourages them to think about how we can use resources responsibly.

Type: PDF. Size: 10mb.

Respect our Forests

Learning about rainforests helps students understand that forests around the world are connected to our lives in New Zealand. Rainforests provide homes for animals, resources for people and help maintain healthy environments. Understanding deforestation helps students see how the things we buy, use and throw away can contribute to environmental problems. Learning about reducing, reusing and recycling gives students practical ways to reduce waste, conserve resources and make more sustainable choices.

Type: PDF. Size: 8.5mb.

Story Tellers

Learning about place helps children develop a sense of belonging, identity and connection to their local environment and community. It encourages them to understand that different people may have different stories and perspectives about the same place, and that these perspectives are important. Learning about Māori relationships with whenua, pūrākau, whakapapa and place names supports children to develop a deeper understanding of Te Ao Māori and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Exploring Oceania also helps students recognise the diversity of Pacific cultures and understand the Pacific as a connected region where people, knowledge, stories, goods and ideas have travelled for generations. Most importantly, students learn to listen, value stories, share  knowledge and care for the places and communities they belong to.

Type: PDF. Size: 6mb.

Matariki

Matariki helps us understand Māori knowledge and traditions, our connection to the stars, seasons, whenua and natural world, and the importance of whānau, remembrance, gratitude and looking ahead. It also encourages us to think about how we can care for our communities and environment for future generations.

Type: PDF. Size: 10mb.