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Field trip resources

All field trips

Auckland

Tiritiri Matangi Island field trip

Find out about school field trips to Tiritiri Matangi Island.

Motutapu Island field trip

Find out about field trips on Motutapu Island. The 1500-hectare recreation reserve is the site of a major restoration project.

Mangere Mountain field trip

Find out about field trips to Mangere Mountain. The moutain is one of the largest and best preserved volcanos in the Auckland region.

Miranda Wildlife Refuge field trip

Find out about field trips at the Miranda Wildlife Refuge and Shorebird Centre, a wetland home to thousands of wading and shore birds.

Kawau Island field trip

Find out about field trips to Kawau Island Historic Reserve and Mansion House.

Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve field trip

Find out about field trips at the Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve.

Great Barrier Island field trip

Find out about a field trip to Great Barrier, one of New Zealand's largest offshore islands.

Field trip to Goat Island (Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve)

Find out about field trips to Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve, one of New Zealand's first marine reserves.

Coromandel

Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve field trip

At Te Whanganui-A-Hei students can learn about marine reserves, different marine habitats and species, and swim a snorkel trail.

Kauaeranga Valley field trip

Kauaeranga Valley is situated 15km east of Thames and suitable for day trips and overnight camps (camping ground and lodge available).

Waikato

Ruakuri Caves & Bush Scenic Reserve field trip

Five minutes from Waitomo Caves, Ruakuri offers a limestone landscape, picturesque native forest and an opportunity to study a threatened species - the long-tailed bat.

Pureora Forest Park field trip

Visit a hidden wonderland of tall trees, clear rivers and rare wildlife. Students can study the North Island robin, walk to the summit of Mt Pureora and look at how to 'track' rats.

Pirongia Forest Park field trip

Southwest of Hamilton at Mt Pirongia, students can take a closer look at volcanic geology, forest microclimates and investigate the health of forest trees in this teaching resource.

Waikato wetlands field trip

Discover the diverse wetlands of the Waikato by visiting Lake Kaituna, Ngaroto and Ruatuna. Look at what lives in these unique environments, both above and below the water surface.

Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty forests field trip

Students can visit one of the amazing forests in the Bay of Plenty region and learn more about the forest environment, native plants and animals.

Lake Okataina Scenic Reserve field trip

Lake Okataina Scenic Reserve is a pristine natural area with native bush down to the waters edge. Students can study its cultural history, geology, pests, flora and fauna.

Sulphur Bay field trip

Learn about field trip activities in Sulphur Bay near Rotorua. Sulphur Bay is geothermally active and supports many birds and specialised plants.

Lake Okataina field trip

Students can study the culture, history, geology and flora and fauna of Lake Okataina.

Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway field trip

Situated between the townships of Paeroa and Waihi, the historic walkways through Karangahake Gorge offer opportunities for studying resource management issues related to gold mining and water quality.

Gold mines of the Waiorongomai Valley field trip

Introduce year 7-8 students to the gold mining history of the Waiorongomai Valley near Te Aroha.

Waiotahi Spit field trip

Located on the Opotiki coastline, Waiotahi Spit features many natural and cultural treasures. Students can learn about its rare combination of features in this teaching resource.

East Coast

Whirinaki Forest Park field trip

In Whirinaki Forest Park students can study the cultural history and many aspects of forest structure. It has amazingly tall trees, rushing rivers, a wide variety of habitats and a fascinating past.

Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve field trip

Located on the east coast of the North Island, at Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve students can learn about the area's natural and cultural history.

Cook Landing Site & Cook's Cove field trip

At Cook Landing Site and Cook's Cove learn about Captain James Cook's historic first landing during his circumnavigation of New Zealand.

Whirinaki kākā field trip

Find out about field trip activities involving the kākā at Whirinaki Forest Park. Kākā are threatened birds, so it is wonderful that you can see them first hand at Whirinaki Forest Park.

Morere Springs field trip

At Morere Springs students can enjoy a variety of tracks where they can explore the different forest types and observe a wide range of bird species.

Ngutuoha Nature Trail field trip

On Ngutuoha Nature Trail in Te Urewera National Park students can learn how to identify different tree types and bird species and perhaps even find kiwi probe holes.

Lake Waikaremoana field trip

At Lake Waikaremoana students will be able to study the formation of the lake and discover its aquatic plants and various inhabitants.

Gray's Bush Scenic Reserve field trip

At Gray's Bush students will learn about forest ecology and the many pests that threaten this area's native plants and wildlife.

Hinerau Track field trip

Take your students on a walk along Hinerau Track which follows the bank of the Aniwaniwa River.

Central North Island

Tongariro National Trout Centre field trip

The Taupo for Tomorrow Education Programme provides a learning experience outside the classroom where students can experience hands on learning about sustainability, freshwater environments and fly-fishing.

Whakapapa Visitor Centre field trip

This is an education resource kit for schools visiting the Whakapapa Visitor Centre in Tongariro National Park.

Taranaki

Te Koru Pa Historic Reserve field trip

At Te Koru Pa students can learn about the area's cultural history.

Ratapihipihi Scenic Reserve field trip

Ratapihipihi Scenic Reserve features remnants of a Taranaki rainforest. Students can discover the rich bird and plant life that exists here.

Egmont National Park field trip

In Egmont National Park students can discover local plant and animal species while taking part in activities that are fun and lead to better understanding of this environment.

Manawatu/Whanganui

Sixtus Lodge area field trip

Students will learn how techtonic activity has shaped the Sixtus Lodge area.

Tawhirihoe Scientific Reserve field trip

At Tawhirihoe Scientific Reserve students can learn about nationally threatened plant and animal species that are found here.

Gordon Park Scenic Reserve field trip

In Gordon Park Scenic Reserve students can learn about New Zealand's lowland forests.

Manawatu Gorge Scenic Reserve field trip

At Manawatu Gorge Scenic Reserve students can learn how plate tectonics and volcanic activity have influenced the geology, topography and biology of the area.

Atene Tracks field trip

The Atene Tracks in Whanganui National Park offer a number of great walking experiences for students and teachers.

Castlecliff Conservation Area field trip

Students can learn about the native plants and animals found at Castlecliff Conservation Area.

Hawke's Bay

White Pine Bush field trip

At the White Pine Bush Reserve in Hawke's Bay students can learn about native plants and animals, and explore the history of the reserve.

Ball's Clearing field trip

At Ball's Clearing Scenic Reserve you and your students can examine the diversity of the plants and animals in this lowland podocarp forest.

Sunrise & Swamp tracks field trip

On Sunrise and Swamp tracks in Ruahine Forest Park students can examine different forest types and identify bird species.

Otatara Pa field trip

You and your students can visit Otatara Pa, which is an archaeological site of national significance.

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve field trip

At Te Angiangi Marine Reserve students will learn about marine and coastal habitats.

Boundary Stream Mainland Island field trip

Students will learn about how DOC is restoring native habitat at Boundary Stream Mainland Island.

Wellington/Kapiti

Kapiti Island and Kapiti Marine Reserve field trip

Students can learn all about Kapiti Island and the Kapiti Marine Reserve.

Matiu/Somes Island field trip

A comprehensive teaching resource and downloadable activity cards for both primary and secondary students. They provide information to plan a class study of and a trip to Matiu/Somes Island.

Rimutaka Forest Park field trip

Students can explore cultural sites, native bush, wildlife habitats, river catchments, mountain ranges and more in Rimutaka Forest Park.

Oriental Bay seascape mural field trip

This environmental education resource, based around the seascape mural at Wellington's Oriental Bay, is designed to develop understanding of conservation issues in the marine environment.

Explore Turakirae field trip

This teaching resource enables students to explore the history, cultural significance, landforms, and biodiversity of the Turakirae coastal environment on Wellington's south coast.

Nelson/Tasman

Lake Rotoiti field trip

A field trip to the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project offers students a first-hand experience of conservation work in a native forest.

Six Mile Creek field trip

The historic site at Six Mile Creek is a great place to study technology, history and the natural world. It is a good day trip from St Arnaud.

Abel Tasman field trip

You and your students can learn about the plants and animals found in estuaries at Abel Tasman National Park.

Cable Bay field trip

Take a field trip to Cable Bay and learn about the plants and animals found in this estuary.

St Arnaud field trip

Students can find out about the beech forest ecosystem and pest control in Nelson Lakes National Park.

Farewell Spit/Puponga Farm Park field trip

Students can learn about the varied bird life of Farewell Spit in the Puponga area.

Marlborough

Pelorus Bridge field trip

Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve is one of the most accessible examples of mature native forest in the region. This site is ideal for groups wanting to study birds, pests, rivers and forest ecosystems.

Ship Cove & Motuara Island field trip

Students can learn about Ship Cove, James Cook's favourite place in the Marlborough Sounds, and how New Zealand's plants and wildlife live on pest free Motuara Island.

Cloudy Bay field trip

Students can discover some of nature's secrets on the beaches of Cloudy Bay.

West Coast

Punakaiki field trip

Punakaiki is an ideal place for a school camp or day trip as there are many things to do and study in a small area.

Waiuta field trip

Students can take a trip back in time in Waiuta. The ghost town includes remnants of Blackwater Mine, a police station and a rugby field.

Lake Kaniere Scenic Reserve field trip

At Lake Kaniere students can enjoy a number of walks through forest and along the beach.

Franz Josef Glacier field trip

At Franz Josef students can take walks through the glacier valley and observe features carved out by this giant sheet of ice.

West Coast wetlands field trip

Students can discover the different types of wetlands including bogs, pakihis, swamps, lakes, rivers, lagoons and estuaries.

Canterbury

Temple Basin field trip

This field trip explores Temple Basin, where students can learn about life forms within an Alpine Region and the history and current plans of Temple Basin and Arthur's Pass National Park.

Aoraki/Mt Cook field trip

Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park is the ideal case study area for students investigating the geography of the South Island glaciated high country.

Pōhatu Marine Reserve field trip

This school field trip investigates the natural landscape and threatened species that inhabit Pōhatu Marine Reserve.

Ōtukaikino Wildlife Management Reserve (Wilson's Swamp) field trip

Ōtukaikino Wildlife Management Reserve is managed as a Living Memorial - Mau Mahara. Students can learn about wetlands and the restoration of Wilson's Swamp, and find out about the cultural heritage of the area.

Peel Forest field trip

Find out about this school field trip that explores the cultural and natural significance of Peel Forest.

Motukarara Conservation Nursery field trip

This Motukarara Nursery teaching resource allows students to explore the ecology of Canterbury's native plants and animals.

Otago

Otago Coast field trip

Take your students on a field trip to the Otago coast where they can learn about the area's rich natural and cultural heritage.

Waihola Waipori wetlands field trip

Visit Waihola Waipori wetlands with your students. Here they can discover the many plants and animals that depend upon wetlands for their survival.

Catlins Coast field trip

At Catlins Coast students can experience New Zealand close to the way it was hundreds of years ago.

Okia field trip

Students can learn how Okia Reserve supports an array of plants and animals. It's also renowned for a number of important geological and historical features

Catlins field trip

The Catlins provide a wealth of contrasting environments for students to explore. Learn about the Pounawea Nature Walk, Catlins River Walk and Nugget Point Scenic Reserve.

Aramoana field trip

With its beach, rocks, dunes and saltmarsh, Aramoana provides a rich and varied landscape for learning.

Fiordland

Deep Cove super site

The Deep Cove super site offers place based activities, has easy to follow instructions and clear curriculum objectives.

Kepler Track field trip

The Kepler Track is a 'Super Site' for education. It's a great environment for studying geology, glaciation, life in the beech forest and Māori and European history.

Southland

Croydon Bush & Dolamore Park field trip

In a field trip to Croydon Bush and Dolamore Park students can explore the geology, forest life and human history of this area.

Forest Hill Scenic Reserve field trip

At Forest Hill students will learn about the rich forest community that would have once covered the limestone outcrops of the Southland Plains.

Bluff Hill/Motupōhue Scenic Reserve field trip

Bluff Hill/Motupōhue Scenic Reserve is ideal for groups wanting to explore the human and natural history of the Stirling Point area in Bluff.

Find out more

Publications

View and download all teaching resource publications

2012 Meridian sustainability calendar (PDF, 1100K)

Learn more

LEARNZ website Register for a conservation/biodiversity virtual field trip

Natural Heritage Collection website offers schools free images of NZ's native species

View the Wildtrack children's nature series on NZ on Screen

Contacts

For more information:

Contact your local DOC office

Or email conservED@doc.govt.nz