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.

No-dig gardens engage tamariki

A no-dig garden is one of the many ways that tamariki are being supported in growing healthy soils, bodies and minds at Arohanui Early Learning Centre in Kerikeri. Preparing the garden involved many barrow-loads of leaves along with questions and laughs.

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Building commitment and momentum at secondary level

In 2023, year 13 student Caleb Richardson decided he wanted to re-invigorate the Envirogroup at Fairfield College in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton and build momentum for environmental change at the school. Find out more about the process that the group used.

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Synergy of Local Curriculum development

Mangakino and Tirohanga are both small schools in the Taupō District. Their rural setting and expansive school grounds provide opportunities for ākonga experience, connect and take action for the natural environment. A recent redesign of their Local Curriculum now strategically weaves the Enviroschool kaupapa throughout...

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Empowering our people in 2023

In 2023 the Enviroschools National team worked hard to provide a range of ways for facilitators to build knowledge, confidence and competence to work with Enviroschools and their communities. This article summarises the 2023 delivery and celebrates the learning and connections that took place.

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Propagation Shed Project Grows

Students at Wakefield School in Tasman had the idea to make a propagation shed for growing the trees needed for their bird cafe. They want to encourage the native birds to feed on the trees and for lizards to come to the school and feel...

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