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The big friendly giants - the giant weta

Giant weta. Photo: JL Kendrick.

Giant weta

In this unit students will find out how the weta evolved, why it's threatened and how we are protecting this ancient insect. Students will see why the weta is unique, assess recovery plans and find out how to improve living conditions for weta in their own backyard.

It links to websites, videos and learning tools which provide practical activities to develop your students' knowledge and skill.

Learning outcomes

Find learning areas and outcomes and curriculum links.

Teaching resource

View the "Big friendly giants - the giant weta' teaching resource.

Learn more

Find links to related information.

Highlights:

Weta

Weta have been around long enough to see dinosaurs come and go and to evolve into more than 70 different species, all of them endemic to New Zealand.

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