Tamariki at Oxford Kindergarten proudly showed Enviroschools facilitators their māra site during a recent visit. Over several months, they’ve worked hard to develop this space and care for the kai growing within it. As the photos show, they take their role seriously — watering the vegetables is a top priority, and they ensure the plants are well nourished by Papatūānuku and Tamanuiterā.
Tamariki ensuring their māra kai is watered and cared for
This visit also marked the centre’s first Enviroschools reflection using the refreshed Holistic Reflection process, making it a special occasion for Josh Sullivan, Southland Enviroschools Regional Coordinator, to be part of. The team was given a guided tour of the kindergarten grounds and shown how the entire centre has become a rich, active learning environment — from play spaces and veggie patches to welcoming habitats for native species.
Oxford Kindergarten also received support from the Enviroschools Southland Action Fund, which helps develop environmental projects across schools and ECEs. The team used their funding to purchase gardening tools and equipment to further enhance their māra. Once harvested, the produce will be shared with the wider community — a beautiful example of whanaungatanga in action.
In the Enviroschools kaupapa, te māra is more than a vegetable patch — it’s a place of kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga, where tamariki grow food, learn about native plants, and deepen their relationship with te taiao.
Oxford Kindergarten’s Enviroschools Journey