Enviroschools Aotearoa NZ

Energy Brainstorm Springboards Learning for Tamariki and Kaiako At the beginning of the year Springlands Kindergarten put their hand up to be the first to trial The Enviroschools Marlborough new Energy kit.

Te Puna Kindergarten in the Bay of Plenty creates their own 100% biodegradable glitter using recycled eggshells!✨
As a proud Enviroschools kindergarten, everything they do at Te Puna is viewed through a sustainability lens — including their art supplies!
Glitter is a fan favourite, but traditional glitter is made of microplastics that harm the environment. One of their kaiako saved up her eggshells and brought them into the kindergarten so tamariki could craft an eco-friendly alternative!
While crushing, dyeing, and drying the shells, tamariki had wonderful conversations about microplastics and how they can care for Papatūānuku. The best part? This homemade glitter is completely biodegradable, so when it eventually returns to the earth, it leaves no damage behind!
Have you ever tried making your own sustainable art supplies? Let us know in the comments!💚🌱

For 13 years, Manaia Kindergarten’s Hono ki te Taiao programme has taken tamariki beyond the classroom to explore, listen and learn in nature. Discover how hands-on experiences are helping build a deep connection to te taiao and inspire kaitiakitanga from a young age.
Manaia Kindergarten is one of 42 Taitokerau early childhood centres in the Enviroschools programme.
Northland Kindergarten Association (NKA) Northland Regional Council

Manaia Kindergarten - Hono ki te Taiao programme For 13 years, Manaia Kindergarten’s Hono ki te Taiao programme has ...

🌿Inspirational Days at Hinewai Reserve🌿
West Coast Enviroschools kaiako recently spent a fantastic few days exploring Hinewai Reserve!
The trip was packed with incredible highlights, including:
* Hearing inspiring insights from Hugh Wilson on ecological restoration.
* Visiting Ladbrooks School to see Enviroschools kaupapa in action.
* Laughing through a fun quiz night.
* Watching The Remakery documentary, which sparked thought-provoking conversations.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined, shared their whakaaro, and made this experience so successful and memorable. The attendees returned home inspired, connected, and full of ideas for their ongoing Enviroschools journey! ✨

Enviroschools facilitators are such a valuable support for schools and ECE centres, assisting them to plan and implement a long-term Enviroschools journey.

🌱 Enviroschools Partnership: Shout out to Rachael

We want to acknowledge the fantastic support and mentorship Rachael provides to our student environment leaders. As part of Enviroschools and various other organizations—including climate summits and Hauraki Plains Environmental events—Rachael brings a wealth of sustainability knowledge to our kura.

She has been a massive help with our recent initiatives:
organisations
International Food Festival: Last week, she helped set up the systems to recycle plates and manage food waste effectively.

Daily Support & Planning: She regularly attends our Enviro Group meetings to help our student leaders plan and organise. At last week's food festival, she prepared all the gear and even sourced vouchers and prizes to encourage students to separate their waste.

Community Projects: Last year, she coordinated with our students for a planting day at Parawai School.

What’s Next?
Rachael is also helping us plan our upcoming waste audit, managing the booking and providing all the necessary equipment.

Thank you, Rachael, for your practical support, your gear, and for helping our students drive these positive changes! 🌍

News, Updates and Submissions This page includes a summary from our recent Curriculum update newsletter and also our webinar on June 3rd, focused on the changes in senior secondary schools.

World Environment Day - Friday, 5 June
The focus for World Environment Day this year is a global call for climate action.
We are confronted today with many pressing issues, appearing in our communities, local environments, and around the world. We are not alone in dealing with these issues. We can join with others to bring aroha, creativity and joy to designing solutions, and making change. Our Enviroschools kaupapa and resources are designed to develop a deeper understanding and stronger connections, before taking action for caring for our climate, regenerating biodiversity and habitat, decreasing pollution and using resources sustainably.
We can all take effective climate action. We, as individuals, whānau and communities, closely connected with our place and our planet, can bring our head, heart and hands to the creative work of looking after our precious world.

Michelle White (kaiako, Hukanui Primary School in Hamilton) has been an inspiration in the Enviroschools Programme for the last 22+ Years. During this time many of us in the Enviroschools National team have been thrilled to work alongside her and co-create deeply student-centred projects, leading to amazing hands-on learning and environmental action.
Many Hukanui Education for Sustainability School projects have become models for others nationwide and helped shape the whole Enviroschools Programme.

A Celebration of the Fabulous Enviroschools Journey of Michelle White Michelle has been an inspiration in the Enviroschools Programme for the last 22+ Years. We celebrate her as she moves to a new chapter in life.

Tamariki at Mararoa School in Southland became scientists of their local awa, the mighty Mararoa River recently!
Students dove into hands-on learning to test river health, measure water clarity, and spot macroinvertebrates.
Before heading out, they investigated human impacts on freshwater ecosystems — learning how to tackle microplastics, plant natives, and prevent the spread of didymo. They even tracked the river’s journey from the Livingstone Mountains all the way to Te Waewae Bay.
Ngā mihi nui to Enviroschools Southland and Environment Southland for inspiring our future environmental stewards!💚🌱

NZAEE Webinar: Secondary Curriculum and Assessment | by NZAEE NZAEE Webinar: Secondary Curriculum and Assessment will take place Jun 03, 2026. Register here to get more information and join the movement.