Hands on Tauranga | Object Lending Library and Outreach

Lian Soh
1 day ago
2 min read

Hands on Tauranga boxed collection of New Zealand shells, featuring labelled compartments with native marine mollusc shells including pāua, scallops, tuatua and other species used for hands-on classroom learning. — A boxed teaching collection of New Zealand marine shells available through Hands on Tauranga. © Hands on Tauranga. All rights reserved.

This article provides information about a science-related experience to support school planning.

Hands on Tauranga is a free education service for Tauranga schools that allows teachers to borrow real, hands-on objects and have them delivered directly to their school. From meteorites and toki kōhatu to typewriters, butter churns, and taonga replicas, the collection supports inquiry-rich learning across history, science, social sciences, and Aotearoa New Zealand histories.

Registering with Hands on Tauranga

Teachers sign up once, browse the online catalogue, book what they need, and Hands on Tauranga takes care of delivery and collection at no cost. It’s one of the easiest ways to bring authentic, tactile learning experiences into the classroom without transport, entry fees, or admin overload.

Register with Hands on Tauranga (approval usually takes 24–48 hours)
Browse and book objects online using the cart system
Delivery and collection are arranged with your school office
Borrowing period is typically two weeks for popular items, often longer for others

Each object listing clearly shows how it can be interacted with, ranging from:

Eyes only (for fragile or high-risk items)
Supervision required
To touch (gentle handling)
To handle
To use and handle

Objects come with background information and, in many cases, classroom use ideas. This makes it easy for teachers to select items that suit their learners and context. Availability can’t be guaranteed, so early booking is recommended. You can also pre-book items for future dates.

Outreach Programmes

Hands on Tauranga also offers free Outreach sessions delivered by a registered teacher and Museum Educator. These sessions bring curated objects and expert facilitation straight into your classroom and can be booked once you’re registered.

Sessions run during:

Tuesday afternoons
Wednesday mornings

They can be tailored for different year levels and typically include discussion, storytelling, object exploration, and opportunities for students to closely examine or handle items.

Outreach kaupapa include:

Culture and identity – voyaging, whakapapa, early navigation
Aotearoa histories – from deep time through to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Place and environment – Mauao, The Elms, and Tauranga Moana
Conflict and change – Gate Pā, WWI from a Tauranga perspective
The natural environment – Rena disaster, kiwi, kororā, and local ecosystems

Sessions link clearly to the Aotearoa New Zealand Histories, Science, and Social Sciences curricula and are suitable from early primary through to secondary (with some sessions aimed at older students).

Good to know

Sessions can run for one class, two classes, or larger groups
Class teachers stay with their students
A classroom screen and a low table are helpful
Sessions typically run 45–60 minutes, depending on year level

Contact | More Info

Megan Hoskin Tauranga Museum Educator (Hands on Tauranga)📧 handsontauranga@tauranga.govt.nz

Teachers are also encouraged to follow Hands on Tauranga on Facebook and Instagram to see objects in action, classroom ideas, and examples of how schools across Tauranga are using the collection.