Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari | Education Programmes

5 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Located in the heart of the mighty Waikato, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is half of an hour's drive from Te Awamutu or Cambridge and an hour from Hamilton. Our onsite day visits utilise our purpose built education centre and explore the forest and our wetland enclosure. We also night tours and overnight stays as well virtual sessions for those who are unable to make it out to visit us in-person.

Kākā perched in native forest at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, showing a native New Zealand parrot thriving in a predator-free conservation sanctuary. — Adobe Stock images.

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

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari offers immersive education programmes that place ākonga inside one of Aotearoa’s most significant ecological restoration projects. These programmes support students to experience what Aotearoa’s forests once looked like, while exploring what a predator-free future could mean for biodiversity, people, and place.

At the heart of the education programme is the idea of learning through experience. Students engage directly with the ngahere, the maunga, and the species that live there, building understanding through observation, inquiry, and guided exploration rather than passive learning.

In 2024 alone, the education team connected with more than 4,700 students from across Aotearoa and overseas, supporting the development of future kaitiaki through authentic, place-based learning.

Programme Options

The programmes welcome learners of all ages and can be shaped to meet local curriculum priorities. Educators work alongside teachers to design experiences that align with Science, Social Sciences, Health and Physical Education, and local curriculum goals. Sessions can also be adapted to support specific learning intentions or scaffold students toward internal assessment work. Schools and groups can choose from a range of learning experiences, including:

On-site education visits
Bring your class to the sanctuary to explore conservation, ecology, and restoration through guided, curriculum-linked experiences in the ngahere.

Night experiences on the maunga
Discover the sanctuary after dark and explore nocturnal species and behaviours, offering students a very different perspective on ecosystems and adaptation.

Virtual classroom sessions
For schools unable to visit in person, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari can bring conservation learning directly into classrooms through interactive online sessions.

Overnight education experiences
Extend learning with an overnight stay at the education centre, allowing students to immerse themselves in the environment and deepen their connection to place.

All education visits require advance booking. Content can be adapted to suit different year levels, learning pathways, and assessment contexts.