Virtual Fieldtrip: Natural Hazards

From the fault lines running beneath our feet to the ever-present reminders of volcanic and geothermal activity, our region is an extraordinary classroom. This Term 4, LEARNZ is inviting kaiako and ākonga to explore that landscape through a new natural hazards virtual field trip to Te Moana-a-Toitehuatahi Bay of Plenty; one of the most geologically active regions in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Mount Tarawera; Adobe Stock Images

About the Fieldtrip

This immersive, curriculum-aligned experience takes students on a journey through local sites shaped by earthquakes, floods, landslides, tsunami, and volcanic eruptions. Along the way, they’ll meet scientists, emergency managers, and people with lived experience of natural hazard events — hearing how past events are helping us prepare for future ones.

Students will uncover the science behind natural hazards and learn how technology, planning, and community resilience all play a part in keeping people safe. The field trip encourages student-led inquiry, giving ākonga the opportunity to explore questions that matter to them and their own communities.

🔗 Explore the virtual fieldtrip: learnz.org.nz 📍 Location: Te Moana-a-Toitehuatahi | Bay of Plenty 📚 Suggested levels: Years 5–10 🧭 Curriculum links: Science, Social Sciences, Education for Sustainability

Key Learning Themes

• How Earth’s dynamic systems shape Aotearoa’s landscape

• What causes natural hazards and how they impact people and infrastructure

• How to prepare for life without power, water, or communication in an emergency

• Ways to build confidence and take action to help others during disasters

This field trip launches on Monday, 13 October 2025

Learn More | Register Here

Ngā Mihi Nui | Acknowledgements

Information and images adapted from the LEARNZ fieldtrip website. Learn more and register your class at learnz.org.nz. News of this story was discovered via Mike's News.