Ōhinemahuta Nature School

02/03/2026

Gardening workshop🌱

Gardening with children offers so much more than just growing plants. As they rebuild beds, layer browns and greens, and think about spacing, companion planting, and the needs of sun, soil, shade, and water, they’re engaging in real, hands-on science.

They develop problem-solving skills as they work out how to protect seedlings and strengthen fencing, and they build responsibility by caring for something living. The physical work supports coordination and strength, while the shared tasks encourage teamwork and cooperation.

Most importantly, gardening nurtures patience, confidence, and a genuine connection to nature, so while the garden grows, the children do too. 🌱

Today we also learned about Maramataka the Māori lunar calendar
Instead of treating every day the same, it follows the moon’s energy.
New moon is for rest and reflection.
Growing moon is for planning and building.
Full moon is for action and momentum.
Waning moon is for finishing and slowing down.
It’s about moving in rhythm with nature.

17/02/2026

Cicadas
Water spiderlings
Wild Blackberries
Bumblebees
Quartz with potential
Sand algae
Rock fairy gardens
River sounds
Cicada sounds
Boats
Fossils
Slime damper
Treasures
Floating
Yooperlite
Climbing and swinging
Yooperlite magic
Hunting for gold

Just a few of the things that happened today 🌱

12/02/2026

🌿 Think you missed the boat for Nature School? There’s still time to jump aboard!

We’re accepting late enrolments, and we know the start of the year can be busy for whānau. If schedules are full or finances are a bit tight after the summer break, you’re welcome to enrol for just 2–3 weeks.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!

05/02/2026

A huge thank you to Marlborough Magazine for capturing the heart of Ōhinemahuta Nature School so beautifully 🌿

Term 1 starts Tuesday 10th & Thursday 12th February — enrolments are still open!
👉 https://forms.gle/R9rUv8eFhm98Sp2s5 https://forms.gle/R9rUv8eFhm98Sp2s5

29/01/2026

☘️Less than two weeks until Term 1! ☘️

Spaces still available Tuesdays & Thursdays - but 🚐only a few Tuesday shuttle spots left (Thursday shuttle is FULL).
If you need the shuttle, get in quick before they’re gone!

👉Enrol now: https://forms.gle/ti8jNJ4TydacrTjx8

29/01/2026

✨ Did you spot us in the Blenheim Sun last week? ✨

We’re getting ready for Term 1 and still have a few spots available!
📅 Start dates: 10th / 12th Feb — perfect for easing back into routine after the holidays 🌿

🚐 Shuttle update:
• Tuesdays: only 3 spaces left (get in quick!)
• Thursdays: FULL

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now’s the time!
👉 Enrol here: https://forms.gle/ti8jNJ4TydacrTjx8

We’d love to welcome some new faces 💚

20/01/2026

🌿 Only 3 weeks to go until Term 1 begins! 🌿

We still have spaces available on Tuesdays & Thursdays ✨

🚐 Thursday shuttle is now FULL — but there are some Tuesday shuttle spots left, so jump in quick if you need one!

https://forms.gle/8A9UZk5t8VpvRT5y9

We can’t wait to welcome the children back into nature 💚

11/11/2025

Spring brought us a real mix of sunshine, cool breezes, and wild gusts, the perfect day to explore the art of shelter building.
Our tamariki experimented with all kinds of designs, from tarp lean-tos and bough beds to tiny fairy huts and even an igloo-style rock shelter. Through hands-on building, they learned about structure, wind direction, insulation, and how to work with what nature provides.
Shelter building teaches so much more than just how to stay warm and dry, it’s about teamwork, creative problem solving, resilience, and understanding our relationship with the environment.
Between shelters, there was plenty of play, paddling in mussel floats, clay collecting, fire-lighting with magnifying glasses, and a few “tarp burritos” for good measure.
A day full of learning, laughter, and connection with te taiao 💚

04/11/2025

04/11/2025

A beautiful sunny day by the river!

Our workshop focused on ‘keeping warm in the wild’ exploring how to use movement, natural insulation, and fire to stay cosy outdoors.
Tamariki tested layers of leaves and bark, practiced safe fire-building, and learned the importance of teamwork and preparation.

Free play brought plenty of adventure , swimming, skipping stones, tracking goats, carving, and creating imaginative games in the sand.