Education Offerings
Discover a unique and extraordinary reserve in Taranaki - where students and teachers are able to explore a pest-free wildlife sanctuary with native forests that are regrowing and animal populations flourishing! Rotokare provides learners of all ages with the remarkable opportunity to experience what New Zealand looked like before the arrival of humans and the associated mammalian pests.
Our curriculum-linked educational programmes allow students from early childhood to high school to explore the sanctuary through interactive, hands-on activities. There aresupporting materials including fact sheets, videos and information booklets that further explain how learners can appreciate the wildlife of this sanctuary.
On-site education centre: Historical classroom, fun interactive space with living museum-type displays
Bush classroom - an outdoor classroom in nature where hands-on activities are delivered
Private courtyard for breaks and lunch, and picnic tables along the lake edge
Public toilet facility with an attached, interactive, information shelter
Wetland boardwalk with a floating viewing platform over the lake (up to wheelchair standard)
Eco-Detectives (EC - Year 10)
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Suitable for: All year levels
About: Our most popular module. A very broad unit where students assume a detective role, moving as teams around short scientific stations, as they piece together clues to enable a better understanding of the concept studied. Special attention is given to the importance of conservation and the scientific methods used in conservation.
Key concepts: Biodiversity; conservation; the sanctuary concept; pests and predators; plant and animal adaptation and evolution; sustainability.
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Suitable for: All year levels
About: When māori arrived in Aotearoa, there weren’t any supermarkets or hospitals. They relied on the forest, wetlands, oceans and sea to survive. Students will get an insight into these amazing traditions, by taking part in a range of hands-on activities which may include harakeke (flax) weaving, creating traps for food, exploring medicinal uses of plants, making bird callers and tasting traditional teas.
Key concepts: traditional medicinal uses of plants, plant identification, food and clothing, Kaitiakitanga (stewardship), the importance of wetlands to māori.
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Suitable: All year levels
About: Much of New Zealand’s wetlands have been lost forever. Students will discover the world of wetlands, they will find out what threatens wetlands, how they can help conserve and protect wetlands, and ultimately learn about the importance of them. Students get to use scientific equipment to monitor and make conclusions on the health of the Rotokare wetlands.
Key concepts: Water quality, conservation, biodiversity, human impact on freshwater and wetland environments.
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Suitable for: Year 8+
About: Students are drawn into an interactive drama (which is catered specifically to each classes needs). Their journey begins at school, where they are introduced to a specific scenario. During the visit they all become young scientists or detectives, gathering any evidence (bug hunts, bird counts, vegetation studies etc) to aid them in the drama that will unfold in the education centre and or bush classroom. Drama scenarios could include: an environmental court hearing, or aiding an alien planet with conservation advice.
Key concepts: Kaitiakitanga (stewardship), conservation and sustainability, social action and environmental responsibility, the importance of balance between conservation, economics and recreation. The values of natural environments (forests and wetlands)
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Suitable for: All year levels
About: Plants are vital to life on earth, with forests referred to as the lungs of the earth. Students will learn about the diversity of NZ plants and the amazing adaptations the employ to survive. Using interactive activities such as playing the possum game, data collection, puzzles and mirror walks, students will meet some of the Rotokare plant stars, and gain an appreciation and understanding of all NZ native plants.
Key concepts: The identification and classification of NZ plants, plant evolution and lifecycles, pollination, seed dispersal, photosynthesis, wetland and forest plants, stratification and structure of the forest, conservation, and the importance of plants to humans and other animals.
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Suitable for: All year levels
About: Nothing is wasted in nature; unlike humans, nature has no need for a wheelie bin. Lots of different organisms form nature’s “clean-up crew” who ensure the nutrient cycle continues. Students experience firsthand how the forest lives and dies, meeting key members of nature’s clean-up crew along the way.
Key concepts: Decomposition; food webs; interdependence; nutrient cycling; waste and recycling; impacts of human waste on the environment.
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Suitable for: All year levels, good for year 9-10 ecology unit
About: A healthy functioning ecosystem requires the interdependence of both living and non-living factors. Students will appreciate the balance of New Zealand's native ecosystems and understand how humans have altered these environments with the introduction of exotic plants and animals. Students get a hands-on experience collecting data from the different aspects of one or more different ecosystems.
Key concepts: food webs and chains; trophic levels; nutrient cycling; interdependence; abiotic and biotic factors; ecosystem services.
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Suitable for: All year levels
About: An introduction to the world of animals and/or plants. Students will enjoy hands-on activities discovering classification- what makes an animal and a plant and their special adaptations (bird beak/food matching, camouflage game etc). The option is to look at Rotokare as a case study for the importance of conservation in New Zealand. Why is such a mainland island so important?
Key concepts: Classification and identification of plants and animals; biodiversity of native plant and animal life; the sanctuary concept; the importance of mainland islands for conservation.
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Suitable for: ECE-Y1
About: Explore the sights, sounds and smells of the forest and wetlands. Students enjoy sensory awareness activities to explore the environment. Armed with artist palettes, magnifying glasses and blindfolds, students are empowered to discover native environments in a simple, yet powerful way.
Key concepts: Our senses; biodiversity; colours and shapes in nature; confidence and awareness in the forest and wetlands.
NCEA (Year 11-13)
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Level 1
Science 1.12 (AS 90951) Investigate a Biological Impact of an Event on a NZ Ecosystem
Resource Title: Impact of an Xcluder fence on the recovery of a native remnant in Taranaki
In this assessment, students will do a historical and ecological study of the “impact” of the fence on the recovery of the enclosed area compared to an area just out of the fenced reserve.
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Level 2
Biology 2.6 (AS 91158) Investigate a Pattern in an Ecological Community (data collection)
Resource Title: Biodiversity in a Taranaki Predator free Scenic Reserve (Pattern under investigation: Stratification.
Rotokare makes for an excellent data collection site for the study of stratification due to the large stand of virgin forest remains, as well as healthy regenerating forest.
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Level 3
Biology 3.2 (AS 91602) Integrate Biological Knowledge to Develop an Informed Response to a Socio-scientific Issue
Resource Title: The 1080 Debate
This assessment includes a trip to Rotokare to discuss our project and pest control methods, as well as collect data in an area with zero mammalian pest.
This visit can also be modified to fit AS91154 (Bio 2.2)- Analyse the Biological Validity of Information presented to the public
Know Before You Go
Bookings
If you're looking to book an educational visit to the beautiful Rotokare Scenic Reserve, make sure you get in touch as soon as possible! Bookings are essential, and with only one educator and high demand, spots fill up fast. To book fill in the online booking form and our Educator will get back to you.
Costs
Our education programme costs just $5 per child, with no cost for accompanying adults. Please note that there is a minimum day charge of $50. If you're looking for us to come to you, visits to schools (that aren't linked with a visit to Rotokare) are charged at $3.50 per student, with an additional $50 fuel cost. Charges are invoiced post visit.
Capacity
Student numbers are capped at two classes per day (with up to 30 students per class). This ensures our single on-site Educator and our small team of incredible volunteers the opportunity to connect with students and for each tamariki to get the most out of the visit.
At School Visits
At Rotokare Scenic Reserve, visiting our site is the ideal way to experience our special project. However, we can arrange school visits to your premises for an additional cost; please contact us to discuss your options.
An at-school visit is entirely free when associated with a visit to our Reserve. We especially recommend arranging for a pre-visit for NCEA students.
Health & Saftey
At Rotokare Scenic Reserve, we prioritize the health and safety of our visitors, and it is an essential aspect of our environmental education programme. Outdoor education requires specific health and safety considerations that are crucial to comprehend before the visit. We provide comprehensive health and safety information for teachers and organizers. We require teachers to fill in a confirmation checklist to ensure that all risks are understood before visiting the Reserve.
Wet Weather Policy
We understand that Mother Nature can be unpredictable, and weather can interfere with outdoor education programmes. While we welcome visiting schools in all weather conditions, the safety and comfort of our visitors is our top priority.
In light rain, students will be able to enjoy the forest's great coverage, but during more extreme weather, it is recommended to postpone the visit. Our Educator is well-informed about weather considerations, and they will communicate closely with teachers pre-visit to discuss any concerns.