Learning that cannot be taught in a classroom alone

Bring your students to one of Aotearoa's oldest continuously occupied papakaainga and immerse them in a learning experience that brings history, geography, social studies, science and maatauranga Maaori to life.

Led by ahi kaa, our programmes support schools to deliver rich, place-based learning aligned with the Aotearoa New Zealand Curriculum while giving students the opportunity to learn directly from the people whose stories they are exploring.

Students engage with:

  • Local histories and whakapapa

  • Aotearoa Histories

  • Maaori food production and environmental management

  • Volcanic landscapes

  • Colonisation, land loss and resilience

  • Indigenous knowledge systems

  • Environmental regeneration

  • Te Tiriti conversations

  • Kaitiakitanga in action

School Experiences (Best suited for Years 4-13)
From $20 + gst / per person

Guided Hiikoi (1-1.5 hours)
Explore the cultural, historical, social and environmental significance of Ihumaatao through an immersive guided walk.

Workshop (1-1.5 hours)
Extend learning through one of our hands-on workshops

  • Poi Making (Year 4 - Year 13)

  • Tukutuku (Year 7 - Year 13)

  • Kupenga (net) Weaving (Year 4 - Year 13)

  • Rongoaa Maaori (Year 7 - Year 13)

  • Keemu Maaori (Early childhood - Year 13)

  • Planting - seasonal (Early childhood - Year 13)

Full-day Learning Experiences
Combine multiple workshops with a guided hiikoi and haangii lunch for a rich, curriculum-connected day of learning.

Teacher Resources (coming soon)
Support learning before and after your visit with downloadable lesson plans, classroom activities and educational resources designed around the stories of Ihumaatao.

A minimum of 25 participants per booking