Summary of programmes

Ranger guided discovery walks

One of the popular activities in the Regional Parks are Ranger guided ‘Discovery Walks'. Your group will be taken on an exciting journey to explore the many secrets of our parks - native bush, gentle pastures, rugged coastlines, rolling sand dunes, wildlife habitats, archaeological sites and historical homesteads. Suitable for a range of groups.

Discover the Botanic Gardens

Discover the taonga / treasures of the Botanic Gardens. Journey through the native plants, edibles and the herbs. Then discover the important relationship between the kereru and the puriri tree in the new and exciting Potter Children's Garden.

Park	Botanic Gardens
Duration	1 ½ - 2 hours 45 minutes for pre-schools
Cost	$1 per student
Enquiries and bookings	Education officer (09) 267 1457 ext 203

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Changing Environments

Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the old and the new wool sheds, farming operations and more! Visit the old homestead (now used as an outdoor lodge by the YMCA). Look at the defence history of the area - from Maori Pa defensive ditches, World War 2 pillboxes to the current use of the neighbouring defence land. Admire 360-degree views from the Lookout and see the impacts of the present on the past.

Park	Shakespear
Duration	1 ½ - 2 hours 45 minutes for pre-schools
Cost	$1 per student
Enquiries and bookings	ARC (09) 366 2000 or parks@arc.govt.nz

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Couldrey House Museum

This 1/2-1 hour programme of a view back in history, is lead by volunteers from the ‘Friends of Couldrey House'. Bring your thirst for the past and discover how people cooked and dined, what they did to entertain themselves, the beds they slept in and much more. Look at the family history and find out how this affected the developments on this historic home. Compare the way they lived with the way we live today.

Park	Wenderholm
Duration	½ - 1 hours
Cost	$1 per student
Enquiries and bookings	ARC (09) 366 2000 or parks@arc.govt.nz

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Farm Walk - Northern Parks

This very popular walk is designed to be fun and enjoyable - a hands on learning experience about New Zealand farms and animals. The programme includes plenty of interactive elements, from showing the children how an electric fence works, to letting them muster and get close to livestock - and much more!

Park	Shakespear, Mahurangi, Tawharanui
Duration	1 ½ - 2 hours 45 minutes for pre-schools
Cost	$1 per student
Enquiries and bookings	ARC (09) 366 2000 or parks@arc.govt.nz

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Open Sanctuary / Conservation

Students are able to experience the benefits of protecting Auckland's natural ecosystems from invasive plant and animal pests. They learn about the open sanctuary concept - the creation of a predator free sanctuary for birds and plants on the mainland of New Zealand. Viewing frozen or stuffed mounted animal pests are a very popular part of this programme.

Park	Shakespear, Mahurangi, Tawharanui
Duration	1 ½ - 2 hours 45 minutes for pre-schools
Cost	$1 per student
Enquiries and bookings	ARC (09) 366 2000 or parks@arc.govt.nz

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Mangroves

Students are guided to discover the succession and adaptation of plants and animals from mangrove estuary through to coastal forest. Wenderholm's coastal diversity makes this an ideal place to experience these differences.

Park	Wenderholm
Duration	1 ½ - 2 hours 45 minutes for pre-schools
Cost	$1 per student
Enquiries and bookings	ARC (09) 366 2000 or parks@arc.govt.nz

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Past and Present

Visit the Vaughan Homestead, view the machine gun emplacement, complete the nature walk and see large Puriri trees and native pigeons. See the awesome coastal views of the Long Bay - Okura marine reserve. Find out about the dune restoration project and visit displays at the Environment Centre on the foreshore.

Park	Long Bay
Duration	1 ½ - 2 hours 45 minutes for pre-schools
Cost	$1 per student
Enquiries and bookings	ARC (09) 366 2000 or parks@arc.govt.nz

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Sand Dune Restoration and Care

Sand dune restoration and care is an important part of maintaining our natural coastal environment between the sea and the land. Aspects of restoration include revegetation and stabilization of dunes, while ongoing care encompasses education and monitoring. This discovery walk will enable your students to learn more about how and what happens in this unique ecosystem.

Park	Shakespear, Wenderholm, Mahurangi, Tawharanui, Long Bay
Duration	1 ½ - 2 hours 45 minutes for pre-schools
Cost	$1 per student
Enquiries and bookings	ARC (09) 366 2000 or parks@arc.govt.nz

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Whakanewha Wonder (Waiheke Island)

Visit the cascades waterfall in mature bush and discover it's freshwater life - then down to the wetlands and mangrove swamps by the sea. Discover a Pa site and see kumara pits, terraces and defensive ditches. See nesting shore birds on the foreshore of Half Moon Beach, including the NZ Dotterel. Walk in the native bush and spot the variety of trees here - but take note of the effect weeds can have on native bush and efforts made to control them.

Park	Whakanewha
Duration	1 ½ - 2 hours 45 minutes for pre-schools
Cost	$1 per student
Enquiries and bookings	ARC (09) 366 2000 or parks@arc.govt.nz

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Ambury Farm Walk (central Auckland)

Experience the sights, sounds and smells of a real working farm. Get close to the animals - touch and feed some of them - cows and sheep, (calves and lambs in spring), chickens, roosters, pigs, a peacock and goat. The programme varies due to seasonal differences.

Please note - crutching a sheep and milking a cow is not generally included in this programme.

Park	Ambury
Duration	1 ½ - 2 hours 45 minutes for pre-schools
Cost	$1 per student
Enquiries and bookings	Contact the ranger on (09) 636 6618

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Hunua Falls

See the Hunua Falls plunging into the heart of an extinct volcano and explore part of the largest forested area in Auckland. The ranger will explain conservation issues involved in managing this diverse area as well as revealing some of its secrets.

Park	Hunua
Duration	1 ½ - 2 hours 45 minutes for pre-schools
Cost	$1 per student
Enquiries and bookings	Contact the ranger on (09) 636 6618

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Waharau - Loop Track

The loop walk at Waharau follows the course of a forest stream through a rich variety of native trees and plants. The ranger will explore some of the issues involved in looking after this area. This walk is located on the outskirts of the Hunua Ranges.

Park	Waharau
Duration	1 ½ - 2 hours 45 minutes for pre-schools
Cost	$1 per student
Enquiries and bookings	Contact the ranger on (09) 636 6618

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Gannets Galore

Visit New Zealand's most accessible mainland Gannet colony. Experience a coastal forest. This is a popular walk with spectacular views of the majestic coastline.

Park	Muriwai
Duration	1 ½ - 2 hours 45 minutes for pre-schools
Cost	$1 per student
Enquiries and bookings	Contact the education officer (09) 817 0085

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Introductory Talks

All parks can offer introductory talks for groups. Most are up to half an hour and aim to give students an understanding of why we have parks, who uses them, to whom they belong and the role of caring for them. Points of interest are covered about the specific park, along with the issues of balancing recreation and conservation in our regional parks. This programme is adaptable to all ages and can be tailored to suit
your requirements.

Park	All
Duration	½ hour
Cost	Free
Enquiries and bookings	Contact the education officer (09) 817 0085

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Volunteer Action

Discovery Walks are free when your group volunteers 1-2 hours or more of their time to work on the park. This is an excellent opportunity for students to contribute to the running of the park, gain a sense of ownership and learn new skills. There is an endless range of environmental projects and tasks to suit all class levels from year one upwards. You will be surprised what they can do!

Park	All
Duration	1 - 2 hours +
Cost	Free
Enquiries and bookings	Contact the education officer (09) 817 0085

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