Creating Change

The holistic, long-term Enviroschools journey creates fertile ground for a range of learning and action.

When tamariki/ students connect with their place and its people, and then plan, design and take action, they are creating change.

Through this empowering experience, they will become life-long change-makers.  The collective exploration is based in the concept of ako, where all participants are simultaneously learners and teachers, and everybody learns from each other.  It is a process of co-creation between people and all of the elements and energies around us. Caring for our place and the whole planet becomes a living curriculum where skills and competencies are gained through experience and mahi within meaningful community settings.

In the following stories you can see how Enviroschools participants are learning with their heads, hands and hearts – connecting with nature, exploring indigenous wisdoms, forming relationships with tangata whenua, collaborating with people in their diverse communities, and finding out about their own qualities and passions.  Learning and action in Enviroschools does not just have environmental outcomes but social, cultural and economic benefits too.

Nga ahu māra grows from Earthwise koha and awesome community support

Nga manu tui tuiā o nga ahu māra ā Papatūānuku - weaving and growing within the embrace of Papatūānuku. The ahu māra at Hastings Intermediate School has seen planning, collaboration, muscle work, teamwork, planting, monitoring, harvesting and enjoyment for all. Find out more about how...

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Gifted learners lead local change

Gifted Students at Wairekei School have spent time building an awareness and understanding of waste entering the drain system. They were disappointed that this was happening in their community and have created messages to influence behaviour and create change. Find out more about how they...

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Nature play becomes a natural choice at Springlands

Regular visits to the local McKendry Park have allowed observation, exploration, play and creativity to develop in alongside a deeper connection with nature and people at Springlands Kindergarten. Read more here about their weekly hikoi adventures and how tamariki have flourished.

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Empowered Students...Sustainable Communities

Involving young people in decision-making and action enables them to become active environmental citizens for life, and enriches the development of the whole learning community. The aim of Enviroschools is to support young people over time to become competent and confident to initiate and manage...

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Kaitiaki Club motivates Mahi Tahi at Kaingaroa School

Students at Kaingaroa School in Te Taitokerau have led the way with sustainable actions in their kura. Read how an Enviroschools survey helped them measure the current situation, identify gaps and create a vision to become more sustainable. Ka mau te wehi Kaingaroa, you are...

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