Ōtāutahi - Greater Christchurch & Waitaha-Canterbury EEfS Network
We are a diverse network consisting of teachers in schools and tertiary institutes as well as educators providing learning programmes through local government, community groups or as independent providers. It is exciting to see the range of programmes and activities that are provided by those working within our region. It is fun and rewarding to share stories, experience and knowledge amongst ourselves through occasional network gatherings.
The Ōtāutahi – Waitaha network covers a vast region with most members hailing from North Canterbury, Greater Christchurch, and the Timaru area. Our focus is on connection with the environment, kaitiakitanga, and supporting youth voices.
We aim each year to create two to three opportunities for people within our network to come together to learn new things, to share successes or to just connect, converse and collaborate. Beyond the events created specifically for NZAEE members we encourage educators to link into the Christchurch EnviroHub network which puts out a regular newsletter, runs the monthly Green Drinks and offers other events and activities throughout the year.
Through our local network we support the annual Seaweek celebrations and an inter-school speech and art competition, Speaking 4 the Planet.
Our base is at EnviroHub co-work space, 180 Avonside Drive @ The Climate Action Campus.
Local Programmes and Support
The Enviroschools Canterbury team publishes regular newsletters, where environmental education is showcased within our region. The wider Youth Engagement & Education team at Environment Canterbury has a suite of learning programmes.
The Christchurch Council Learning Through Action team offers a comprehensive suite of programmes for children and young people.
In South Canterbury the Eco Centre in Timaru offers bookable school programmes.
Little Kiwis Nature Play: supports child-led, nature-based play that nurtures confidence, curiosity, and connection through bespoke nature-based education professional training and workshops, online courses and teacher only days for teachers,principals, managers and parents who are passionate about helping the children in their care experience what nature can bring into their lives.
Eco Educate offers Rethink Waste programmes for schools across Canterbury. In Waimakariri and Ashburton Districts EcoEducate is supported by council to provide free workshops in these districts
Growing Kiwi Gardeners works with pre-schools to ensure their graden plots are well used as learning experiences, providing clear need clear links between gardening and Te Whāriki
Te Tuna Taone: Te Tuna Tāone was developed together by Enviroschools Canterbury and the Working Waters Trust and using the Enviroschools kaupapa, the Action Learning Cycle. Currently run by Jenny Bond to provide classroom and stream-based education sessions, as well as technical support for students to undertake their own actions in response to longfin eel habitat destruction and stormwater pollution.
Check out the many other Environmental Education providers operating in the Canterbury region by clicking here. Each listing has contact details, and extra detail is provided for those who are NZAEE members.
The EnviroHub website has both a directory and map showing the wide variety of organisations working within the environmental and sustainability space in greater Christchurch.
