‘Imagine growing generations of New Zealanders who understand environmental issues and actively contribute to a healthy sustainable future for us all’

-Environmental Education for Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan 2017-2021 (Dept of Conservation 2017)

A focus on the future, including sustainability, is not only a core principle in the NZ School Curriculum, but also aligns with the overarching aim of this new Outdoor Learning Centre. Activities at the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre provide a range of opportunities for learners to; connect with nature so that they can understand the impact of their actions or inactions on the environment, and benefit society through their positive attitudes and behaviours.

With generous funding from the Air New Zealand Environment Trust, we have established this community centred Learning in Nature space as a collaboration between the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Ngāti Pārau (the mana whenua), Department of Conservation, Predator Free Hawke’s Bay, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, EnviroSchools and others.   Our mission is to develop connections, positive attitudes and future behaviours through enabling and promoting learning across the curriculum and between disciplines, in an environmental context. The Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre, is a unique regional facility, providing different user groups with the opportunity for to immerse themselves in nature whilst they are developing their knowledge and capabilities.

The Centre has a particular role in developing the skills and confidence of our trainee Primary and Early Childhood degree student teachers, as well as providing professional development for teachers wishing to use nature as a context for learning.  In addition, EIT students across a range of programmes now have part of their curriculum delivered outdoors, and the Centre is increasingly utilised by local community groups, schools and local hapū.

Connecting our communities through learning in nature is a vision driven by the community, for the community. Whilst the project’s roots are embedded at the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre, it’s potential reach extends far beyond the boundaries of EIT.  Working collaboratively, we aim to promote nature literacy across the New Zealand education curriculum, for the benefit of all.  

In 2020 Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre was a finalist in the prestigious Green Gown Awards and in November 2021 the Centre won a Green Gown Award in the International category, Benefitting Society. This award is an acknowledgement that the ŌOLC and the wider learning in nature project, promotes values of sustainability in Aotearoa/NZ, enhancing the lives of individuals by connecting them with nature, cultural heritage and the community through the landscape and curriculum.

The Awards, run by the Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS), are open to all Australasian Tertiary institutions and were established in 2004 to recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken within the sector.  

Please explore our virtual Outdoor Learning Centre. Check out the Resources Room and download our free resources which are linked to the New Zealand curriculum.

Just before lockdown, we started work to reopen the gully pathway, adjacent to the ŌOLC.  The native trees in the gully were planted by EIT staff and  students around six years ago and last month, students from  the Certificate in Horticulture General Level 3 were able to get involved by laying grass seed. 

Despite the lack of rain in over the last few months the grass grew well and we are now able to enjoy this walk.  A small grass platform for student groups to stand or sit on the ground has been created and longer term, a seating area will be installed for quiet reflection.  The views from the top of the track are truly breath-taking.

Despite being unable to utilize the ŌOLC as planned during the lockdown, Helen Stewart-Mackenzie facilitated an inspiring and interactive online Science Disciplines class for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education students.  Our colleagues from DOC/Predator Free HB, Megan McBride and Robyn McCool, worked hard to develop a Padlet, which is an online tool based on collaboration.  A Padlet can include photos, videos, weblinks and enable students to comment.  This interactive tool focused on engaging EIT students to consider and share ways that children can find examples of chemistry, physics and biology in nature and support study outside rather than relying on inside classroom teaching. 

This was a great example of innovative teaching using nature as the context for learning.

Robyn Gray has worked in various health settings as a nurse for the last 30 years and with 10 years in Primary Health Care roles has also had a lot of experience working with clients in the field. As a relatively new Lecturer she has found enormous satisfaction teaching at the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre and recommends that you use the space too.

Robyn says,  “From the moment the students leave to go on their walking journey to the ŌOLC they are transported into the realms of a ‘real community visit’. They are in the moment! This experience enhances their attitudes to holistic health and  positive health promotion begins. There is a connection to the land and history at Ōtātara which lives and breathes around us. The plants and trees become a venue for extended activities and lend themselves to complementary therapies like mindfulness and nature (rongoā), without focusing on just medications, which students are inclined to do, in this field.

I devised a Depression scenario because it is one of the main mental health disorders in New Zealand and I invited an actor to take the role (Kathleen McCrory). This enabled me to assist and prompt as needed during the mental health assessment with the development of the ‘therapeutic relationship.’ It was inclusive and multi- cultural in approach.  The idea was for it to be spontaneous and allow the students to practise assessment and conversational tools they acquired from the text book.  I also discussed props for a ‘real live scene and advised the students they would be knocking on the door of a client’. This kind of spontaneity cannot be found in the classroom and the outdoor environment allows students to see that there are new ways of looking at a person’s health. The holistic way!.”

Feedback from students was positive and Robyn already has other scenarios planned for the ŌOLC.

To find out more about our Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre and to register your interest, please contact:

The Manager
Email: otataraoutdoorlearningcentre@eit.ac.nz

In September,  Kumara tubers were laid down undercover in the EIT campus Greenhouse. Tipu will be planted at the site early November to demonstrate a traditional and Sustainable Food Production Practice.  A storage pit is also planned to accommodate the cyclic growing, harvest and storage methods of the Kumara.