Rotoroa Island Education Programme
Restoring young people’s connection to nature & inspiring their confidence to become conservation leaders of the future.
This programme creates opportunities for learners to connect with nature and deepen their understanding of conservation and the interconnections within the natural world. It encourages learners to examine their values, thinking, and behaviour relating to nature and conservation, and determine how they can contribute both now and in the future.
- Through workshops, island visits, and classroom activities, learners are encouraged to participate, understand their value as team members, and develop leadership skills through collaboration and contribution.
- Our programme is designed to be flexible and easily integrated into your term’s topic or school focus, aligning with the goals of your school community.
- Rotoroa Island educators and staff are committed to working with you to adapt and deliver a programme that achieves these aims.
What’s Involved?
This three-day programme, delivered over six weeks in Terms 1 or 4, includes an unforgettable visit to Rotoroa Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf.
Passionate educators with in-depth knowledge of Aotearoa New Zealand’s flora and fauna, especially Rotoroa Island.
Hands-on and fun experiences that inspire students to connect with nature and conservation in meaningful ways.
Active support to help students take real-world environmental action in their community—this could include creating a poster, writing an article for the school newsletter, organising a beach clean-up, writing a poem, or starting a vegetable garden.
A specialist journal provided to every student, used throughout the programme to record observations, data, and reflections.
Programme Breakdown:
DAY 01 – School-Based Workshop (2.5 hours)
The programme begins with a hands-on, interactive workshop at school, where students explore key conservation themes. They will learn about biosecurity and the importance of protecting island ecosystems, the unique wildlife and plants of Rotoroa Island, the role of food chains, and what conservation in action looks like.
As part of this session, each student receives a personal journal to document their learning. This journal will be used throughout the programme to record observations, track discoveries, and reflect on their experiences.
DAY 02 – Rotoroa Island Adventure (Full-Day Trip)
The highlight of the programme is a full-day visit to Rotoroa Island, where students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a real-world conservation setting. They will explore a variety of habitats, including native bush, wetlands, coastal areas, and the seashore, using their journals to identify flora and fauna along the way.
New for 2025, as part of the walk students will take part in wetland experiments, testing water quality and discussing what makes a healthy wetland. Following a beachside lunch, the afternoon is spent creating, discovering, and investigating the wonders of the seashore.
DAY 03 – Reflection & Action (1.5 hours, School-Based)
The final session back at school is a chance for students to reflect on their island experience, consolidate their learning, and share their conservation action plans. Whether small or large, these actions will be guided by student interests and school priorities.
Students may choose to write an article, design an awareness campaign, organise an environmental project, or take part in hands-on conservation efforts. This session empowers students to see themselves as active guardians of their environment, ready to make a difference
For more information please email [email protected].
“The most comprehensive and effective environmental education programme I know of in the Auckland Region.”
Sally Birdsall, Senior Lecturer - School of Curriculum & Pedagogy, The University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau.
Our learning outcomes are for young people to:
- Connect with and discover conservation and their natural environment.
- Expand their knowledge and play in nature.
- Be excited about problem solving in nature.
- Find community conservation actions that matter to them and be empowered to inspire others in their community to assist them.
- Expand citizen science-based conservation challenges and to understand how island sanctuaries like Rotoroa Island support biodiversity and our endemic species.
Key Details:
Timing
The programme runs during Term 1 and Term 4
Age
It is aimed at 10-14 year old students
All facilitated by at least two Rotoroa Island educators.
Cost
The cost is $40 per student. We are able to offer this significantly subsidised rate thanks to the generous support of Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation
Includes the ferry, however the transport to the ferry terminal is not included..
Ratio
A 1:6 ratio, adult to student is required.
Minimum Numbers
30 students are the minimum number for this trip.
Contact Us:
Bookings for Term 4, 2025 are open.
Please contact our Programme Manager – Stacey
Email: [email protected]
Impacts
Here's a snapshot below! Explore our programme and the impacts so far by visiting our impacts page.
“The students were very engaged with the activities during the pre-visit and were excited to build on what they had learned in class” - Anna, Deputy Principal