Education
Educational conservation resources for yourself, your whānau and kura.
Educational resources for parents, teachers, care-givers and wider whānau to explore before and after your visit to Pūkaha.
These resources aim to engage tamariki in key conservation actions and show how we can all take action for nature in our own backyards. Designed to suit a range of age groups and a variety of interests, we hope these activities will inspire young nature lovers.
Te Wiki Tiaki Ao Tūroa/Conservation Week, 4th-12th September 2021 encourages everyone to take a moment to celebrate and enjoy nature. Check out fun conservation quizzes, competitions and activities here.
If you want to book an education tour for your school students, or come along on a guided tour with your whānau once we are out of lockdown, check out the tours and talks page here.
Articles
Mapping the Tuatara genome restores 250 million years of evolution – Nature, 7 August 2020
The Pūkaha Forest & the Night Sky – (3pgs, pdf Wairarapa Sky & Pūkaha)
Ngā Whetu O Matariki – learn about the nine stars of Matariki (3pgs, pdf)
Tuna Kuwharuwharu – facts, threats, and how to help. (25 pgs, pdf)
Our oldest inhabitants: Tuatara
5 Native Plants Used In Māori Medicine
Activities
Download, print and play!
Build your own long-tailed bat! KCC template
NZ Garden Bird Survey – 16 downloadable bird outlines to print and colour
Pūkaha worksheets: kākā, kōkako, takahē (6 pgs, pdf)
Arbor Day, 2020 Why do you think trees are important? #Be with a tree, KCC native leaves activity sheet
KCC Be with a tree A4 activity poster, pdf
Native bird egg challenge – name the birds that these eggs belong to. Hint: some birds have more than one egg. Answer below.
How to Create a Lizard Friendly Garden
Nature activities for families at home
40 Ka Pai Things to do Outside
Online games
Videos
The amazing properties of kawkawa – Tehei Taiao, Te Amokura Productions
NZ Garden Bird Survey – Where do birds feed?
How big is that bird?
Effect of light pollution on wildlife
Backyard biodiversity video – the nocturnal world
How to attract native birds into your garden
How to make a simple wētā hotel