The community restoration of the islands of Ipipiri serves as a platform for inspiration and learning for people of all ages, from our local community and beyond.
Through showing how we can reverse ecological damage, our educational work aims to inspire the next generations of kaitiaki to care about and care for the natural world.
Our education programme provides opportunities for people of all ages to grow their understanding and appreciation of Aotearoa’s unique natural environment.
We are grateful to the Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust for their long-term support, which makes these opportunities possible for our tamariki and rangatahi.
Read on to find out more about what we offer for local schools, visiting schools, and youth and community groups, as well as activities you can enjoy at home.
Our education programme is generously funded by:
Each year hundreds of tamariki are launched on a voyage of discovery, learning and leadership development on our Floating Classrooms, our flagship nature-based education programme for schools.
Through the programme, Year 5 and 6 students from local schools experience practical learning about the island sanctuary of Ipipiri, while also contributing themselves to its continued restoration.
This hands-on experience is designed to develop leadership skills throughout, from students taking on important roles within the group, to tasks that build problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Our experienced educators use curriculum-aligned activities and resources to deliver this unique opportunity to nurture conservation and wider education.
Classroom-based sessions before and after the island day ensure that students can gain the maximum benefit from the field trip, and take action for nature back at school or in their own areas. The Floating Classroom programme is used by teachers to support their curriculum across science, history, geography, te reo Māori, art, literacy, and more.
We are grateful to the other local businesses and organisations that support our Floating Classroom programme, including Kerikeri Men’s Shed, Bay of Islands ITM, and Island Getaway.
Beyond the Floating Classrooms, we frequently host educational experiences for schools visiting the Bay of Islands, including school camps both on Urupukapuka and on the surrounding mainland.
We are able to provide a wide range of experiences for primary, secondary, and tertiary students, which can be delivered either on the islands or on the mainland.
Our team can tailor our sessions to meet your group’s needs, depending on your time and budget available, number and age of students, and your desired learning outcomes.
If you are interested in giving your group an experience of New Zealand’s special wildlife, and a community-led effort to restore it, please get in touch with our Education Coordinator and we will be happy to discuss the opportunities available.
Our education programme works collaboratively with numerous local community groups, youth development organisations, and vocational training providers.
We have developed numerous resources and activities that you can download for free to use at home or at school.
