The Kelmarna Gardens Education Programme works to make the unique resources of Kelmarna Gardens accessible to tamariki of all ages and from across the Auckland region through educational visits and hands-on learning experiences that guide learners to explore, discover and have fun in the garden.

​We're keen to help get your kids outside, observing and interacting with the natural environment, practicing valuable skills across the New Zealand Curriculum learning areas, and relating their experiences to both their academic studies and their everyday lives.
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On this page:​
​Our experiences

We offer one-off and ongoing experiences to suit your schedule, generally available to be delivered on any day of the week except Wednesdays, our therapeutic garden quiet days.

We work with you to cover topics and facilitate experiences that support your group's learning objectives. Have a look below to get an idea of different example session rundowns that might work for your group of learners.
One-Off Visits

Join us for a single session at a time that works for you, to complement your busy term schedule with an inquiry-based exploration and concrete learning experience in the garden
Regular Visits

Join us on a regular basis, to integrate nature-based learning into your schedule and encourage your learners to build on their knowledge and experience over time
Example A:
​2 Hour One-Off Visit​

Opening Hui  |  10mins
-Arrival and gathering on the main lawn
-Welcome and introductions
-Overview of rules, behaviour expectations, and other housekeeping
-Introduce topics and divide into block groups

Block Activity 1  |  25mins
-Each group participates in one of the three block activities

Block Activity 2  |  25mins 
-Each group rotates to participate in a new block activity

Free Time  |  25mins
-Learners are free to take a break, enjoy the gardens, and explore on their own while maintaining a respect for the rules and behaviour expectations

Block Activity 3  |  25mins 
-Each group reconvenes to participate in their final block activity

Closing Hui  |  10mins
-Everyone gathers back at the main lawn to review, reflect on, and share their experiences in the garden
-Thanks and departure
​Example B:
​3 Hour One-Off Visit​ (with Lunchtime)

Opening Hui  |  10mins
-Arrival and gathering on the main lawn
-Welcome and introductions
-Overview of rules, behaviour expectations, and other housekeeping
-Introduce topics and divide into block groups

Block Activity 1  |  30mins
-Each group participates in one of the three block activities

Block Activity 2  |  30mins 
-Each group rotates to participate in a new block activity

Water Break  |  10mins
-Learners are free to take a quick break, rehydrate, and enjoy the gardens for a few minutes before diving into the final activity

Block Activity 3  |  30mins 
-Each group reconvenes to participate in their final block activity

Closing Hui  |  10mins
-Everyone gathers back at the main lawn to review, reflect on, and share their experiences in the garden
-Thanks and conclusion

Lunchtime  |  60mins
-Learners are free to enjoy their lunch on the village green, take a break, and explore the garden on their own while maintaining a respect for the rules and behaviour expectations
Example C:
​1 Hour Regular Visit​
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Opening Hui  |  10mins
-Arrival and gathering on the main lawn
-Overview of rules and behaviour expectations
-Review previous concepts and experiences
-Introduce new topics and divide into activity groups

Warm Up Activity  |  15mins
-Each group participates in a warm up activity, rotating to do a different warm-up than their previous visit

Main Activity  |  25mins 
-Each group participates in their main activity

Closing Hui  |  10mins
-Everyone gathers back at the main lawn to review, reflect on, and share their experiences in the garden
-Thanks and departure
ECE

​$3 per learner, up to 1 hour (first hour)

$2.5 per learner, per additional hour

Up to 3 hour total visit time

$60 minimum booking fee
Primary & Intermediate

$4 per learner, up to 1 hour (first hour)

$3 per learner, per additional hour

Up to 3 hour total visit time

$80 minimum booking fee
Secondary

​$5 per learner, up to 1 hour (first hour)

$3.5 per learner, per additional hour

Up to 4 hour total visit time

​$100 minimum booking fee
Charges

Delivering worthwhile educational experiences requires planning, coordination, and a dedicated Education Team to ensure that we can provide your learners with an awesome experience in a safe, engaging, and inspiring environment. We use a tiered pricing system to ensure that our opportunities are as accessible as possible to tamariki of all ages and learning levels.

All funds generated by the Education Programme contribute directly to operational costs, including staff and volunteer time, maintaining and renewing resources, managing educational opportunities, and sustaining our community space. Charges and rates listed above are GST exclusive.

By taking part in our Education Programme, you are directly working to foster a resilient, regenerative food system, and connect the next generation with essential skills for a more sustainable future.​
Health & Safety

At Kelmarna Gardens, we take all possible care to make sure that everyone is safe in our space.

​We recognise that the benefit and enjoyment of nature-based education is derived in part from the inherent risks that come with getting hands-on and working outdoors.​ ​That's why we do everything we can to coordinate and cooperate with you to understand the needs of your learners and to provide appropriate support.

To best prepare for an experience with us, please read through our rules for the garden and look at our risk assessment overview for your safety.

It might also be fun to have a click through a 'virtual tour' using a map of our community gardens to get to know the place before you arrive.
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Testimonials

We do our best to make sure that everyone enjoys their experience in the garden, so that our teachers meet their objectives, our learners are challenged while having fun outside, and everyone gains a fresh perspective to inspire their ongoing learning journey.

​Here are a few words from schools and community groups who have joined us:
The students had a great time at the gardens learning about taonga. At Kelmarna Gardens they learnt about how rubbish can be turned into treasure. This experience sparked their curiosity and motivated them to want to start a compost/worm farm at school and plant their own community garden.
Room 6 had a great time at Kelmarna gardens. The staff were friendly and very knowledgable. The students had fun getting their hands dirty and loved the 'smelly' compost. I would highly recommend this experience!
Students loved the hands on activities like searching the compost for worms, holding tiger worms, tasting mint, seeing the compost heap, and patting Jafa. They were really engaged, excited, focused, and asking questions.
The general tour describing all aspects of the garden and how they work together was very important - the holistic approach. However, the hands on doing - planting, weeding was equally important for the children as children need to be actively involved. The bioblitz was fun because it was specific and quantifiable and something they can have fun applying in other locations.
Kei runga noa atu koutou! Tamariki were engaged and came back with a lot more knowledge of how to look after our plants and environment. Getting tamariki to touch and feel things was good because it kept the tamariki curious and engaged and wanting to know more. Tūmeke koutou! Keep up the awesome work.
I took my class to Kelmarna Gardens in Spring, 2020. It was a wonderful visit. What I had wanted to provide for them was an example and experience of a holistic approach to farming and gardening. The Kelmarna permaculture garden provided that beautifully. The diverse life and healthy interconnectedness is exactly what we need to be holding up as an example to our children of sustainable, respectful practice. Many thanks for making this space available.

​Make a Booking

Please fill out the form below to make a booking enquiry.
For enquiries, get in touch with our Education Manager, Sean, at education@kelmarnagardens.nz