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 an active organic community 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

A great wonder of the garden is that we can tackle just about any learning area or skill set imaginable. Our programme uses the unique features of our city farm as an authentic context, to immerse learners in a dynamic setting that allows firsthand experience in all manner of activities that connect with the environment, the New Zealand Curriculum, and builds direct relationships between learning outcomes and the real world.
Nature-Based

Learning which takes place in the context of nature, through activities that utilise the environment and natural systems as an authentic context to engage with any subject or skill
Inquiry-Based

​Learning driven by questions, ideas, and observations;
where curiosity prompts investigation, and learners develop critical reasoning skills to satisfy their investment in discovery
Our Education Team is committed to creating fun learning experiences that encourage learners to expand their understanding by asking questions, taking action, and cultivating connections with the environment and each other.
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  • Creating a supportive learning environment
  • Encouraging reflective thought and action
  • Enhancing the relevance of new learning
  • Facilitating shared learning
  • Making connections to prior learning and experience
  • ​Providing sufficient opportunity to learn
  • Teaching as inquiry

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Get in touch with our Education Manager, Sean, who is available to arrange

​bespoke experiences that suit your schedule and meet your learning objectives!
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 unique 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 in the garden over time
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 and inspiring environment. We use a tiered pricing system to help make opportunities as accessible as possible to groups of all sizes and learners of all ages and levels.

All funds generated by the our 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 below are GST exclusive.​
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
By taking part, 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, that learners are challenged while having fun outside, that educators meet their objectives, and that 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 knowledgeable. 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, engaged, and wanting to know more. Tumeke 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, and we'll be in touch!
For enquiries, get in touch with our Education Manager, Sean, at education@kelmarnagardens.nz