This is the final part of the LEARNZ virtual field trip to Te Moana-a-Toitehuatahi | Bay of Plenty, one of the most geologically active areas in Aotearoa New Zealand. This region is shaped by fault lines, volcanoes, and the ever-shifting tectonic plates beneath our feet. Join experts Craig Miller from Earth Sciences NZ and Daniel Pearce from Tauranga District Council answer some very interesting questions from ākonga, including whether it was a good idea to do a back flip in an earthquake! (spoiler alert - no! you should drop, cover, hold!) Thanks to The Natural Hazards Commission – Toka Tū Ake for funding this LEARNZ virtual field trip. Visit learnz.org.nz/hazards254 for the full trip with educational materials including the field trip videos.

Te Wāhi Pounamu, meaning ‘the place of pounamu,’ refers to the South Island, the only place where this treasured stone is found. Pounamu is a taonga, holding deep cultural, spiritual, and historical significance for Māori. Join field trip experts from Ngāti Waewae in Hokitika on Te Tai Poutini the West Coast as they answer questions with kaiārahi Andrew.

This is the web conference held on August 21st 2025, part of the LEARNZ online field trip. Thanks to the schools that participated. You can visit the online field trip at https://www.learnz.org.nz/Sanctuary253 Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari (SMM) is the largest predator-fenced eco-sanctuary in the world. It enables visitors to experience a predator-free environment where native fauna and flora flourishes, and provides an insight into a time long past. SMM is home to some of New Zealand's most endangered species, playing a pivotal role in their conservation. It is also home to a thriving kiwi population of about 3,000 birds and performs a major role in boosting other kiwi populations around the country. Each year Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari undertakes the country's largest kiwi translocation project in partnership with mana whenua and Save the Kiwi. Through its education programme, SMM actively engages students nationwide, offering a tangible glimpse into Aotearoa New Zealand’s past and the future vision of a predator-free environment.

On bilingual buses and trains (2) by

On bilingual buses and trains (1) by

Interview to accompany the LEARNZ field trip visiting some key places in the history of Raukawa and hearing narratives from iwi relating to these important historical locations and the epic journeys of the iwi tūpuna.

Keeping our places and stories alive is integral to our whakapapa and national identity. It also provides a way to understand our history, different generations and our diverse cultures, traditions, and communities. On this virtual field trip we visited Ōtūmoetai Pā, Tauranga’s historic capital. It was the most significantly populated site in the Western Bay of Plenty between 1600–1865. The Pā was considered the ‘main stronghold’ of Tauranga Māori and was never taken by enemies. As it was situated on land confiscated by the government after the New Zealand Wars of 1864, the people who lived at Ōtūmoetai Pā were forced to leave their ancestral home. In the webconference, kaiārahi Andrew is joined by Te Haana and Rachel from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga along with ākonga from Mangēre Central and Bucklands Beach Primary schools. A big mihi to you all.

The final He Waka Houkura mindset, ‘Seeing the system’, is all about viewing the big picture.

The fifth He Waka Houkura mindset, being open minded, is a mindset grounded in diversity and inclusion. In this podcast, Angela Vermeulen and Tumama Tu’ulua discuss how open mindedness ultimately asks the question of “what type of business do you want to be?".

In this, the fourth of the six He Waka Houkura mindsets, Angela Vermeulen and Tumama Tu’ulua kōrero about thinking critically. Tumama discusses how thinking critically is a vital part of developing an equity lens, recognising barriers, and how the more informed you are the better.

The third He Waka Houkura mindset is all about building trust. Angela Vermeulen and Tumama Tu’ulua discuss what building trust means, what it looks like, and benefits brought about by fostering a safe environment where people can speak up about inequities.

The second instalment of the He Waka Houkura mindset podcasts, Tumama Tu’ulua and Angela Vermeulen kōrero about honoring Te Tiriti o Waitangi

In the first instalment of the He Waka Houkura mindset podcasts, Angela Vermeulen and Tumama Tu’ulua kōrero about identifying power, privilege and bias within both workplaces and the wider world

In this bite-sized podcast, Angela Vermeulen and Tumama Tu’ulua summarise He Waka Houkura | Equity and inclusion suite.

Volcano city virtual field trip Travel to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to discover more about the fiery past of Auckland’s Volcanic Field Ngā Tapuwae-o-Mataoho. There are over 50 volcanoes within the Auckland Volcanic Field (AVF). The AVF has been active for around 200,000 years. The most recent and largest volcano is Rangitoto, created around 600 years ago from at least two eruptions. As Māori became established in Aotearoa New Zealand, the maunga were valued as natural places for pā, with their rich volcanic soils and their unique form and height for easy defence. Evidence of a hot magma source deep beneath Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland suggests there could potentially be an eruption in the future. Before a new eruption starts, scientists will be using forecasting models to try to predict when and where a new volcano will appear. Objective To find out how large parts of the city would be affected by the likely next eruption, and how to be prepared for the impacts of volcanic activity. Key learning Explore science and mātauranga behind the Auckland Volcanic Field Ngā Tapuwae-o-Mataoho. Look at evidence of past volcanic eruptions. Hear stories about volcanoes from mana whenua. Visit Rangitoto, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s youngest and largest volcano. Explore the inside of a lava cave. Investigate the impacts of a future eruption in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Meet experts in hazard preparedness and learn about how you should plan to manage the impacts of a volcanic eruption. Student-led inquiry Empower your ākonga to take charge of their learning journey. Encourage them to ask meaningful questions, explore resources, and embark on their own journey of volcanic hazard preparedness. Curriculum alignment This virtual field trip aligns with the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum. It covers a range of learning areas, predominantly science and social sciences. Access guidance that supports teaching and learning to align with curriculum goals.

Te Mako shares a kōrero with a past participant of Tātai Aho Rau te reo Māori programme, as a experience speaker, who had learnt te reo Māori on-and-off Riria chose to take a beginner course to kick start her te reo, giving her the confidence to then progress in to a full immersion programme.

Join Anahera McGregor and Jamie Taylor as they kōrero about what Matariki means to them, and what their plans are to observe the holiday. Jamie and Anahera both share that this Matariki they plan to reflect on the past year, to give thanks for what they have, and look forward with hope for the new year. They also share how connecting with whānau and waking up early to watch Matariki rise are two fulfilling Matariki activities they look forward to. Anahera and Jamie also explore how Matariki also offers a unique opportunity to relax, be still, and ground yourself and heal, so that you can continue to carry out important kaupapa in the next year.

In this Matariki podcast, Rochelle Savage and Stanley Sarkies, a Te Tiriti Facilitator at Groundwork, kōrero about how to honour Matariki from a pākeha and tauiwi perspective. This kōrero begins with discussing Stanley’s journey into learning about te reo Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and te ao Māori, where he acknowledges and explores the role of pākeha and non-Māori in Aotearoa as tiriti partners. Stanley and Rochelle then go on to discuss how to appropriately commemorate Matariki as pākeha, where Stanley offers the guidance that you can observe the holiday in a way that makes sense to you, and that aligns with the kaupapa of Matariki.

Replay the field trip web conference with Brad from Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand and Hayes from Discovery Marine Limited.

In this podcast, Angela Vermeulen is joined by Dr Hana O’Regan, ONZM, Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive Officer of Tātai Aho Rau, and Leighton Evans, Chief Executive Officer of the Rātā Foundation, exploring the topic of equity and discussing their own personal experiences. Drawing on their personal experiences, Hana and Leighton discuss instances of racism, sexism, and other inequities they encountered growing up. They share their visions of a socially just and equitable world and suggest ways we can foster fairness for future generations. Hana and Leighton also clarify the confusion between equity and equality, highlighting initiatives their organisations undertake to promote equity. Tune in for an insightful kōrero with these inspiring leaders as they share their perspectives on creating a more equitable society.