Education

We use kiwi as a tool to introduce children to the natural environment

Our Education tools

  • Education trailer
  • Kiwi Whakatāne Education Resource
  • Kiwi tracker walk and education whare

Kiwi Whakatāne Education Resource, Kiwi Tracker walk and Whare (shelter) – a Whakatāne gem

Whakatane Kiwi Education Resource and tracker walk bookletThe Education Resource package ‘Kiwi – Whakatāne‘ (PDF, 8MB) was intended to be used by local teachers to help school children learn about their environment, the unique features of New Zealand and how all Kiwis have a responsibility to protect our special place in the world. However, as word got out interest from schools as far afield as Auckland and Lower Hutt have come to Whakatāne to undertaken the Kiwi Tracker walk!

Kiwi Tracker is a programme unique to Whakatāne and designed to be used in conjunction with the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust education resource. Following theory-based learning to get to know about kiwi, their habitat and protecting the endangered bird, students are able to experience the reality of bush life. Seeing dead stoats caught in traps, touching kiwi egg shells, feathers and burrows and walking the tracks used by Whakatāne Kiwi Project volunteers are all part of the deal.

Generous funding from Whakatāne West Rotary has provided for the erection of a distinctive whare (shelter) in the Ōhope Scenic Reserve. The whare is designed to be used in conjunction with the Kiwi Tracker programme, offering students the opportunity to sit down and take a break while on their expedition.  The shelter is not a public facility: it’s a special place for our young people.

For more information, or to book a Kiwi Tracker experience, email education@whakatanekiwi.org.nz

Resources:

Thank you so much for coming to talk to us about kiwi on our camp and leading us on an exciting kiwi hunting trip through the bush. With the knowledge and passion for protecting the kiwi that you instilled in us we are now on a mission to investigate what we can do to help project the kiwi, our native bush and birds

Teachers and Students

Blue Team, Otakiri School

“Thank you for taking us kids on this wonderful trip to learn about kiwi. I really enjoyed the whisper tree and the weta in the motel!”

Shaedyn

Year 3, Ōhope Beach School

Thank you for teaching me about kiwis natural enemies, predators and friends. Thank you for bringing the Kiwi Trailer and the kiwi statues and weasel statues too. Oh and a ferret statue as well.

Corey

Student, Awakeri School

My favourite part was seeing the kiwi egg. It was very hard and very interesting and it looked white and a little bit of brown on it

Savannah

Student, Apanui School