Maungawhau means ‘mountain of the whau tree’ and was one of the largest Maori settlements. From the the top of the summit enjoy spectacular views over the city and Waitemata Harbour.

This defining feature has dominated the Auckland skyline for over 27 years. This iconic landmark offers stunning 360° views of Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland.

Auckland’s stunning waterfront gateway connects the city to the Hauraki Gulf and the Pacific Ocean.

Ecosystem management is championed here as the key to environmental restoration. Instead of focusing on a single species, the entire system is considered. Today, a US Marine Science Master's student will guide you through the model of nature reserves and marine monitoring. You'll also participate in a practical science session in the laboratory, investigating biological indicators.

Learn about coastal processes and how living communities interact, survive and flourish in healthy systems. Follow the sequence of catchment systems that begin in rainforests and end in the Pelagic ocean.

Goat Island Marine Reserve has been established for 50 years. It was initiated as a response to the impacts of over-fishing specific marine species higher in the food chain. Without these predators, the invertebrates and other small species that feed on vegetation had massed in number and stripped the rocky shore habitat of the seaweed and other protective vegetation and created a marine desert that was uninhabitable for the thousands of microscopic species at the beginning of the food chain. By creating a safe zone for predators, slowly they formed a balance by consuming invertebrates, reducing their numbers and the vegetation returned. Now we have a documented model of human intervention that restored the full ecosystem by allowing it to restore itself. Nature heals itself!

Visit the shallow rocky shore model habitat and get close up to the variety of rocky shore ecosystem species and how they form a balance with each other and enrich this community. Follow key species like Octopus, Starfish, Crayfish and Kina (Sea Urchin) as they roam the shallow pools for food and use the seaweed for protection. Participate in a special workshop dissecting Kina (Sea Urchin) to assess the relative health of those from inside the reserve and those from outside the reserve.

Reflecting through discussion deepens critical thinking, supports active learning, and encourages students to consider diverse perspectives. By engaging in dialogue, individuals clarify their own ideas, gain constructive feedback, and strengthen collaboration with others. This process not only enhances decision-making but also contributes to personal and academic growth.

Discover the geographic diversity from Auckland to Tauranga. In just 140 miles, you'll traverse five distinct geographical landscapes, including volcanic fields and subtropical rainforests.

After departing Auckland, enter the food belt with the capacity to grow every vegetable imaginable due to the rich, fertile, and volcanic soils. Drop down into the lowlands formed by the flooding of the Waikato River and enter the home of dairy farming. Pass over the Waihou River and enter the Coromandel Ranges, a spine of mountains that follow the tectonic fault line through both North and South islands. Arrive at Karangahake Gorge on the Ohinemuri River with crystal clear water flowing out of a mountain range.

Enter the Waihi Gold Discovery Centre, designed to help visitors understand gold mining, both past and present. Study the mining processes, the chemistry of extracting gold and silver, and the sequence of chemical reactions that release these metals from quartz rock. At Martha Hill, learn about modern gold mining methods that minimize environmental legacy. The mining operation runs entirely beneath the town, with virtually no visible evidence.

Using science, journey from the vast Pacific Ocean into Tauranga Harbour, through the estuary and river, then upward into the rainforest-covered mountains, monitoring how each interconnected ecosystem changes along the way.

Use this vantage point to observe the Wairoa River as it flows into Tauranga Harbor and gradually out to the Pacific Ocean. Tidal movements bring in seawater, which flows over the warm, dry estuary and carries new plankton out the entrance and down the ocean coast as the "Soup of the Sea," feeding the ocean food chains. This walk is subject to weather conditions.

Today's themes are Rivers and Estuaries, low energy systems where the river meets the sea.

Move to the adjacent estuary for an inter-tidal marine ecology session. This session covers environmental monitoring in wetlands and the sheltered estuary to assess the effectiveness of conservation activities managing the upstream watersheds. Begin with a brief overview of estuarine environments, the relationship between the estuary and the upstream catchment, and the tidal movement from the ocean. Then, consider the estuary as a whole. Using aerial photographs, trace the flow of the Wairoa River as it enters the estuary and merges with the tidal salt water.

First, examine a rich, biodiverse habitat that produces large volumes of plankton through the heat of the sun. Using species classification sheets, gather and identify marine species within the tidal estuary environment. Discuss tides and the role of the sun and tidal movements in capturing heat. Trace the flow of plankton as the tides recede, carrying it into the Pacific Ocean to support the complete marine food system.

The indicator species measure is a method that identifies species reliably indicating the presence or condition of a specific environmental feature, habitat, or ecosystem. Together, set up a transect survey to measure sediment deposits from the Wairoa River and observe changes since upstream conservation planting began along the riverbanks. As cockle populations are affected by large sediment deposits, collate a profile of sediment activity by completing transect surveys to ascertain shellfish (cockle) density and size.

Today, you'll study macro environments, focusing on watersheds and the water cycle, forests, and rivers. The emphasis will be on upstream areas and steeper watersheds. Specifically, you'll examine the components of a watershed, including landscapes, geology, streams, forests, pastures, and soils. The interrelationships between these components will be examined, along with the importance of managing them to maintain a stable ecosystem. Expect plenty of field work!

Explore McLaren Falls Park and the lakes, canals and forests which are valuable natural resources for recreation, conservation and hydroelectric power production.

This watershed model runs from the mountain tops to the ocean. As the eastern face is open to the Pacific Ocean, it receives about 80 to 100 inches of rain each year. Together, explore the whole watershed system, which is protected by a mature rainforest which maintains the stability of this high rainfall region. Travel into the rainforest at the upper catchment, take a guided walk in temperate rainforest to appreciate the communities of plants that have evolved here since the Jurassic era. Follow the river downstream and complete the following activities. This watershed model extends from the mountain tops to the ocean. The eastern face, open to the Pacific Ocean, receives about 80 to 100 inches of rain annually. Together, explore the entire watershed system, protected by a mature rainforest that maintains the stability of this high rainfall region. Travel into the rainforest at the upper catchment and take a guided walk through the temperate rainforest to appreciate the communities of plants that have evolved here since the Jurassic era. Follow the river downstream and complete the following activities.

Using math and physics knowledge, determine the flow of the stream at various points. This fieldwork assesses the river's capacity to generate hydro-electricity. Together, you'll test a hypothesis on the consistency of flow along the length of the stream.

Use biologicals indicators such as the invertebrate survey to capture and identify invertebrates. The mix and populations of these species can indicate the health of the water and its oxygenation levels. This system is the most prevalent and used in monitoring New Zealand streams for an approximate indication of water quality.

Explore sustainability through science and systems thinking, understanding how natural processes and human innovation work together to maintain healthy ecosystems, sustainable food and energy production.

Visit a working kiwifruit orchard and learn why the Coastal Bay of Plenty's ideal climate and soil conditions are the perfect place to grow kiwifruit.

Before seeing Rotorua, you'll definitely smell it due to the sulfur. Consider it an introduction to a place that is completely unique. Rotorua offers a fascinating view into the Earth's volcanic center. Clouds of steam seem to magically appear throughout the city from Rotorua's four major thermal centers. One geyser erupts about 20 times a day and can spout up to 100 feet.

Take the time out and cruise Lake Rotoiti, a lake in the Bay of Plenty region. Rotoiti means small lake, but its a relatively large lake, known for the stunning Manupirua Hot Springs on its shores (which are only accessible by boat). Enjoy lunch on the cruise.

Cruise Lake Rotoiti, a large volcanic crater with geothermal waters making wonderful hot spas on the edge of the lake.

Here, you are introduced to the famous Rotorua region, a hot spot in the South Pacific! Spend the afternoon soaking in the geothermal pools, miles away from anyone.

Reflecting through discussion deepens critical thinking, supports active learning, and encourages students to consider diverse perspectives. By engaging in dialogue, individuals clarify their own ideas, gain constructive feedback, and strengthen collaboration with others. This process not only enhances decision-making but also contributes to personal and academic growth.

Discover local Kaitiaki and immerse yourself in the responsible guardianship of nature!

Watch genuine conservation in action as you learn all about New Zealand’s national icon, the kiwi. Discover their native environment and what makes them truly iconic. Observe the hatchery’s incubators and be guided through the entire process, from bringing the egg into the facility, to hatching, growing the chick to 1 kg, and finally releasing it back to its original habitat.

Help restore biodiversity by planting indigenous trees, reintroducing species previously absent and extending the rainforest. You’ll also pot a tiny seedling, giving it the chance to grow strong enough to be planted into a new forest next year.

Sit back and relax as the Skyline Gondola transports you 450 meters above Rotorua and Lake Rotorua, revealing the best views in the region. At the top, embark on an exhilarating Luge ride, winding through over 1 km of Redwood forests. Whether you choose to speed down the track or cruise steadily, you'll find plenty of opportunities to pause and take in the stunning scenery. At the bottom, catch the chairlift back to the top for more breathtaking views from the lookout. Don't forget to visit the Jelly Belly Room to pick out your favorite jelly beans and enjoy the art gallery featuring jelly bean creations.

Reflecting through discussion deepens critical thinking, supports active learning, and encourages students to consider diverse perspectives. By engaging in dialogue, individuals clarify their own ideas, gain constructive feedback, and strengthen collaboration with others. This process not only enhances decision-making but also contributes to personal and academic growth.