Primary school programmes
Arataki – Waitakere Ranges
Situated in Auckland's scenic Waitakere Ranges, Arataki is an informative and fun place to visit with children of all ages.
As well as the spectacular Visitor Centre and well-maintained tracks, Arataki has a stand-alone Education Centre dedicated to environmental learning. With its informative displays and wide, covered decks, Arataki is the perfect base for the many imaginative programmes run out west.
Arataki means ‘pathway to learning', a name it proudly lives up to. In the classroom, on the tracks, in the Centre and at the nursery, students investigate, listen, smell, saw, cook, learn, study, plant, observe and even ‘fly' their way to a better understanding of the natural environment and the part they can play in protecting it.
NOTE: As well as the many programmes on offer, we can help design a tailor-made programme that meets your specific requirements.
Arataki Visitor Centre
Year 1 - 8
Description: Perched high in the Waitakere Ranges, with 360° views, the Arataki Visitor Centre is the gateway to the west.
Interactive displays, colourful stories and powerful images bring the history and ecology of the area to life. Amidst the calls of many native birds, students learn about the European settlers who came in search of kauri, and about the local iwi, Te Kawerau a Maki, whose ancestral guardians keep watch with magnificent pou throughout the building.
Live geckos, weta and stick insects are part of a hands-on activity space, which includes a microscopic camera to encourage students to make their own discoveries. The many puzzles and books keep younger children happy as they lounge on a giant peripatus, surrounded by images of native flora and fauna.
And in the AV room, there's a movie to watch, starring the dinosaur forests of the Waitakeres and its intriguing ancient inhabitants.
Please note - this is a self directed programme.
| Cost | Visitor centre - free Film - free |
Arataki Nature Trail
Year 1 - 8
Key concepts: Adaptation; threats to the forest; forest succession; forest communities; stratification; decay and recycling; identifying key forest plants; impact of people on the natural environment.
Description: The forest is brought to life as students journey around this wondrous ‘pathway to learning’, their interaction with the environment facilitated by passionate and knowledgeable rangers.
Each walk is different as we tailor the programme to suit specific learning needs. Some of the topics we cover include native birds, invertebrates, adaptation, plant i.d, traditional use of the forest, the legacy of logging, forest communities, stratification, forest succession, decay and recycling, pest management, the impact of humans and threats to the forest.
Whatever you’re studying, we can bring theory alive through stories, activities and plenty of real-life examples.
If you choose the self-guided option, there is a helpful resource available and plenty of interpretation signage and plant identification labels along the way.
NOTE: This is a valuable experience for ESOL students as an introduction to the New Zealand forest.
| Science | Living World | Levels 1 - 4 |
| Cost | $2 per student Self guided groups - free | |
| Resource | Self Guided Activities for Primary Schools | |
Arataki Nursery Adventure
Year 2 - 8
Key concepts: The purpose and operation of a plant nursery; ‘eco sourcing’ of seeds; plant propagation; plant life cycles; seed sowing techniques; seed and seedling care; responsibilities of a nurseryperson.
Description: Potty about plants? Here’s your chance to go behind the scenes of Arataki’s native plant nursery.
Surrounded by seeds and soil, students discover what goes on in a nursery - how seeds are collected and prepared for germination (soaking, sandpapering etc) and the secrets of growing seedlings successfully.
Then it’s time to get dirt under their fingernails as they ‘prick-out’ and ‘bag-up’ seedlings!
NOTE: Activities will vary depending on season and the availability of seeds and seedlings. A programme can be designed to suit your specific needs.
| Science | Living World | Levels 1 - 4 |
| Social sciences | Levels 1 - 4 | |
| Cost | $2 per student (one class only) | |
| Resource | Arataki Nursery Adventure | |
Biodiversity Alert
Year 5 - 8
Key concepts: Biodiversity; sustainability; variety of life; habitats; inter-relationships; pests; New Zealand’s extinct species; personal and social action.
Description: Dinosaur-like tuatara, moa-browsed trees and ancient ground-dwelling birds … New Zealand’s flora and fauna is truly amazing!
Students go exploring to see what they can find, independently and with the help of organised activities (insect hunt, animal habitat game, bird survey etc).
They construct a timeline showing the impact of humans on New Zealand’s biodiversity (think: huia, black robin, Stephen’s Island wren) and consider the conservation work that’s being done and what they can do to help.
| Science | Living World | Levels 2 - 4 |
| Social sciences | Levels 2 - 4 | |
| Cost | $4 per student (full day) | |
| Resource | Environmental Consequences City Issues: Biodiversity and Natural Heritage | |
Bush Camp - 1883
Year 5 - 8
The Bush Camp is closed from June to August
This is a full day trip NOT an overnight camp.
Key concepts: Change and continuity in relation to the environment; conservation; how and why people make decisions to use a resource and the consequences of that decision; positive practices for the environment; technological systems; impacts of technology on the environment.
Description: Experience life as it was 125 years ago – the sights, the sounds and the distinctive smoky smell!
Students step back in time to meet the cantankerous cook and the other colourful characters that inhabit this ‘real-life’ bush camp. They spend the day as part of a work gang, cooking scones on an open fire, building bivis, winching logs on the bush tramline and cutting logs with a pit saw.
An exciting teacher and student kit is provided, crammed full of artefacts and resources such as kauri bark, a tin plate, candle, sepia photographs, audio CD, a tin whistle, old fashioned recipes and a train ticket!
| Social sciences | Levels 2 - 4 | |
| Technology | Technological Knowledge Nature of Technology | Levels 2 - 4 Levels 2 - 4 |
| Cost | $5 per student (one class only) | |
| Resource | Bushcamp + free loan of kit | |
Down on the Farm (Karamatura Farm – Huia)
Year 2 - 8
Tuesdays only.
Key concepts: Use of past technologies on the farm; role and responsibilities of Park Rangers managing the farm; sustainable farming practices.
Description: Grab your gumboots, we’re heading to the farm!
Students get to grips with drafting sheep, building fences and quenching ‘fires’ as they experience farming first-hand and learn how rangers work this small farm in the Waitakere Ranges.
In a trip down memory lane, they examine old farming tools and machinery and see how they were once used for processing milk, cheese, butter and flour. Then it’s time to meet the farm’s pet sheep, Duncan and Calliope, and Karamatura’s amazing flock of poultry purebreds.
Farm-tastic!
| Social sciences | Levels 1 - 4 | |
| Technology | Technological Knowledge Nature of Technology | Levels 2 - 4 Levels 2 - 4 |
| Cost | $4 per student (full day) Maximum one class only. | |
| Resource | Close Encounters Discover Farming |
"Help!" Save our Forests!
Year 3 - 4
Limited season: 19 July - 13 August
Key concepts: Appreciation of our forests and their biodiversity; the important role we all need to play in protecting and enhancing our forests.
Description: Join intergalactic forces to help Arlek the alien save the last remaining forest on Planet Zaneth!
The adventure begins when Arlek contacts ‘the Earth-people’ at your school, asking for their help. Their mission: to gather vital information that will convince the ministers on Zaneth not to destroy the last of their forest.
Within this interactive drama, students engage in a series of hands-on activities (a mirror walk, meet a tree, observations, data collection etc) to find out what makes our forests unique - information they pass on to Arlek, before he whisks them away on an unforgettable space flight to the outer reaches of the galaxy…!
| Social sciences | Levels 2 | |
| Arts | Drama | Levels 1 - 3 |
| Cost | $4 per student (full day) | |
| Resource | What's Wrong in Hyperton? |
Ko te Tikanga Manaaki a te Maori I te Ngahere
Maori Traditional Use of the Forest
Year 4 - 8
One class only. Only available two days a month: Tuesday or Wednesday
Key concepts: Traditional medicinal use of plants, fire making and food for Maori.
Description: A rare insight into how the forest provided Maori with most of what they needed to survive.
Students discover what Maori used for building materials, medicine, food and clothing. They learn the old ways of building traps, preserving food and making rope; and the plants that were used to stop bleeding, make poultices, weave mats etc.
After making bird callers, listening to köauau (flute playing) and tasting traditional teas, students leave with a new appreciation of Te Ngahere.
| Social sciences | Levels 2 - 4 | |
| Park | Cascade Kauri | |
| Cost | $2 per student | |
| Resource | Maori Traditional Use of Plants |
Nature's Recycling
Year 3 - 8
Key concepts: The nutrient cycle; interdependence; photosynthesis; animals as decomposers.
Description: There’s no need for wheelie bins and worm farms here - the forest does a great job at recycling all by itself!
With the help of hands-on activities (a mirror walk, leaf slides, insect hunts etc), students get up close and personal with the wonderful world of nature’s recycling, learning how the forest lives and dies and lets nothing go to waste.
Along the way they meet some of the players in the nutrient cycle, the organisms that transform fallen debris into nutrients that will nourish future generations of plants.
They also learn about ‘leaf factories’ and the wonder of photosynthesis; that plants are essential to our survival; and that all life on earth is interconnected.
| Social sciences | Living World | Levels 2 - 4 |
| Cost | $2 per student | |
| Resource | Nature's Recycling |
Outdoor Challenge (Safety in the Outdoors)
Year 4 - 8
Available Term 1 and 4.
Key concepts: Safe practices in the outdoors; skills for the outdoors; personal and social skills - cooperation, challenge; caring for the environment.
Description: This programme is a brilliant way to introduce your class to the great outdoors!
Students learn about keeping safe and having fun through practical hands-on activities. They have a go at pitching tents, making stretchers and cooking sausages, and get the low-down on tramping, packing and what to do when things go wrong.
NOTE: The selection of activities will be adapted to meet the particular needs and experience of your group.
| Health and Physical Education | Personal Health and Physical Devleopment - Safety and Risk Management Movement Concepts and Motor Skills Relationships with Other People | Levels 2 - 4 Levels 2 - 4 Levels 2 - 4 |
| Cost | $4 per student (full day) | |
| Resource | Safety in the Outdoors - $12.00 NZ Mountain Safety Council | |
Plant Power
Year 1 - 8
Key concepts: Life cycles of plants; pollination; seed propagation; seed dispersal.
Description: Power to the plants!
Though a series of fun activities (puzzles, puppets, stories etc), students learn about life cycles, pollination, seed dispersal and what goes on inside a flower.
At the nursery, they find out how seeds are collected and grown, before planting some of their own to take home.
NOTE: Activities are adapted to suit class level and curriculum focus.
| Science | Living World | Levels 1 - 4 |
| Cost | $2 per student | |
| Resource | Plant Power |
Sensational Senses
NE - Year 2
Key concepts: Our senses; the diversity of living things; language development.
Description: Explore the sights, sounds and smells of the forest!
The leafy wonderland of Arataki comes alive as younger children use language and sensory awareness activities to explore their environment.
They can SMELL the forest with magic ‘sniffy dabs’; SEE the colours of the forest on their artist palette; FEEL the textures of the trees when they’re blindfolded; and LISTEN to the sounds around them during quiet time.
NOTE: This programme is particularly suitable for ESOL students.
| Science | Living World Material World | Level 1 Level 1 |
| Cost | $2 per student | |
| Resource | Sensational Senses |
Sleepovers
Year 4 - 8
Description: Go to sleep to the sound of moreporks; wake up to the sound of tui…
Make the most of your visit to Arataki by combining two programmes with a sleepover.
Day one: Take part in your chosen programme. In the evening, rangers take you on a guided walk to discover the creatures of the night, including glow worms, morepork and weta (hopefully!). The silence, the stars, the silhouettes… children are awed by the forest at night.
Day two: Wake up to the dawn chorus and spend the day learning bush safety skills on our ‘Outdoor Challenge’ programme, before engaging in a series of reflection activities to finish up.
Minimum 30 students
Maximum 60 students
Kitchen facilities are available for self-catering.
Sleeping arrangements – mattresses provided/ students bring their own sleeping bags.
Ablution block – basic facilities only.
| Cost | $15 per student (no charge for adults). This includes the cost of programmes. | Level 1 Level 1 |
| Resource | Safety in the Outdoors - $12.00 NZ Mountain Safety Council | |
Tales of Timber Trickery
Year 5 - 8
Limited season: 18 May – 14 June.
Key concepts: Personal and social responsibility for action; writing and preparing a submission in a court setting; biodiversity; recreational importance and value of forests; conservation.
Description: Let the story begin…
Students are drawn into an interactive drama when they meet the dastardly Mr McDougal, an unscrupulous timber merchant with plans to log a large stand of kauri forest. With Professor Cranwell out of the way (thanks to George, the hired thug), it’s up to the children to stop Mr McDougal and save the forest… but how?
Using all their investigative powers (bird counts, vegetation studies, insect hunts etc), the young scientists set out to gather enough information to convince the judge to rule in the forest’s favour.
Tension mounts as the “meddling children” make their submission...
Will the judge be swayed?
Students get to see first-hand how their actions can make a difference and leave Arataki feeling empowered and inspired to continue the conservation crusade.
| Social sciences | Levels 2 - 4 | |
| Cost | $4 per student (full day) | |
| Resource | Tales of Timber Trickery |
Wild West Water Walk
Year 4 - 8
Key concepts: Structure of a forest; identifying key forest plants; the role of the forest in providing clean water; the history of Auckland’s water supply.
Description: WALK with us to the Upper Nihotupu Reservoir and enjoy the amazing scenery of this special environment.
SHARE in the rich history of the Waitakere Ranges with its dinosaur forests and ancient creatures, and DISCOVER the role the Ranges play in catching water for Auckland.
REFLECT on how necessary clean water is to our survival and LEAVE with an awareness of the need to conserve this precious resource.
| Science | Planet Earth | Levels 2 - 4 |
| Group size | 2 classes maximum | |
| Duration | 4 hours | |
| Cost | $4 per student (full day) |
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