Learning Environment

16/08/2026

🪴 Plastic pallets wanted for our native plant nursery!
We need LOTS of plastic pallets. Like, hundreds! 😅

To keep our native plants healthy, they need to be raised off the ground so they can drain freely. We’ve found that plastic pallets are the best solution for this in our nursery.

So, we’re putting the call out to our community: do you have any plastic pallets sitting around unused?

Know a business that might have some spare?

Even if you only have one, we’d love to give it a helpful new home. We’re happy to come and pick them up.

Please contact Tobi at [email protected] if you can help!

15/08/2026

We’re hiring! We are looking for an Akoranga Manager to join our team.

At the Learning Environment we're cultivating a different kind of learning system; one that is place-based, community-led, rooted in Te Ao Māori, and designed to help communities thrive in an uncertain future.

We're looking for an Akoranga (Learning) Manager to lead a team and help grow this vision.

This role is for someone who enjoys leading people and growing ideas. Someone who is excited by the possibility of reimagining education, and equally energised by supporting a team, improving systems, nurturing partnerships, and helping shape what learning can become. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

This is a permanent role of initially 24 hours per week with the possibility to grow, commencing in October/ November 2026.

Applications are now open.

📍Whanganui
📅Apply by 6th September.

Learn more and apply through the link in our bio.

What if learning wasn't something that happened in classrooms, but something woven through community, ecology, wellbeing and everyday life? At the Learning Environment we're cultivating a different kind of learning system; one that is place-based, community-led, rooted in Te Ao Māori, and designed ...

14/08/2026

Repost from Ngā Tipu ā Nuku Harvest Festival in 2025. Want to be part of the next one? We are looking for a Kai Systems Coordinator (Gardener) to join our team!

It’s a permanent role at 24hours per week. Be part of creating inspiring food landscapes with our community.

📆 Applications close Sunday 30th August.
Link to advert and role description in comments.

14/08/2026

Come join us for the Te Pūwaha South Mole Community Planting Day on Sunday 23rd August! Register below.

📅 Sunday 23 August
⏰ 9.00am – 1.30pm
👉 Register here: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/.../south.../manawatu-whanganui

Whanganui Environmental Services Horizons Regional Council Whanganui District Council Whanganui Port -Albert Limited

14/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who got behind our Ma Earth campaign recently.

Together, 93 folks from our community contributed to a total of $13,960 NZD, which helped unlock $17,900 NZD in match funding. That means in total we raised $31,860 NZD, far exceeding our original funding goal of $20,000 NZD!

As we move into the next stage of development, this funding will go towards making our new infrastructure more accessible and welcoming to everyone. This includes things like ramps, accessible doorways, appropriate signage, and facilities for people using wheelchairs or crutches. This necessary infrastructure will make a big difference in who can access, participate and enjoy this beautiful environment.

And building is now underway! Wahoo!

Thank you for believing in what we’re creating at The Learning Environment. Keep following along as we continue to share more of our kaupapa.


Ma Earth

11/08/2026

Have a read of this article by our GM, Emma Morris, reflecting on the role of the whenua in learning, and the power of place to help people discover their own way to grow.

10/08/2026

Community Farm Tour this Saturday!

Come and explore the unique and diverse spaces that make up Pīwaiwaka Farm. We’ll be checking out the native plant nursery, māra kai, and sharing the beginnings of a new walking trail.

This video was made back in November when the farm was bursting into life in early summer. However this time of year also has so much to offer! Join us to witness the first glimmers of spring in the air and enjoy a peaceful wander through this beautiful landscape.

All ages welcome.
Free.
Afternoon tea provided

See the link in "About" for more info and to register 🌻

04/08/2026

Come and learn the traditional craft of making a basic hīnaki (eel trap), hear stories about eeling in the past, and find out more about our native tuna 🌿

Te Mahi Pā Tuna is a one day workshop at Pīwaiwaka Farm on Saturday 12th September.
- Open to adults 16+ (tamariki welcome to join in with their adults)
- $10 per adult with kai included
- No experience needed
- All materials provided

Spaces are limited, so register now through the link in our bio or go to tinyurl.com/temahipatuna ✨

04/08/2026

We’re hiring! We are looking for a Kai Systems Coordinator to join our team.

🌱Grow food. Create beautiful landscapes. Feed community.

We're looking for someone who loves growing food. Someone who gets satisfaction from healthy soil, productive gardens, and seeing people enjoy beautiful edible landscapes. Someone who is equally happy welcoming volunteers, sharing kai with community, and pitching in alongside the wider Team.

As Kai Systems Coordinator you'll lead the day-to-day care and development of Pīwaiwaka Farm's māra kai, orchards and edible landscapes, helping create spaces that nourish both people and place.

This is a permanent role of 24 hours per week / 3-4 days, commencing in September 2026.

Applications are now open!

📍Whanganui
📅Apply by 30th August.

Learn more and apply via the link in the comments and in our bio.

We're looking for someone who loves growing food. Someone who gets satisfaction from healthy soil, productive gardens, and seeing people enjoy beautiful edible landscapes. Someone who is equally happy welcoming volunteers, sharing kai with community, and pitching in alongside the wider Team. As Kai

03/08/2026

Learn more about these offerings and book your place via the link in our bio. We’d love to see you there!

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Community Farm Tour, as part of Winter Wonderfest

A guided walk through our unique learning and outdoor spaces at Pīwaiwaka Farm.

📅 Sat 15th Aug
🕒 2 - 4pm
$5 donation per person
🔗 Book via link in bio

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Midwinter Creative Pause, as part of Winter Wonderfest

We invite you to pause and enjoy intentional creative time together. Art materials provided.

📅 Sun 16th Aug
🕒 1 - 4pm
$10 donation per person
🔗 Book via link in bio

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Te Pūwaha Community Planting Day

We are supporting Te Pūwaha Community Planting Day. This is a free, family-friendly event to help restore the dunes at the South Mole.

📅 Sunday 23rd Aug
🕒 9am-1.30pm
Free
🔗 Register via link in bio.

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Te Mahi Pā Tuna

Join us to craft your own Hīnaki (eel trap). This 1day workshop is open to ages 16+ and is an opportunity to learn traditional stories and practices about eeling.

📅 Sat 12th Sept
🕒 9.30am - 3.30pm
$10 donation per person
🔗 Register via link in bio

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Scheduled visits & programmes:

We also have a few visits and presentations over the next month, including:

- Cameron Ryan, Speaker at He Pukenga Wai: The Whanganui River Symposium - 5th Aug - Link to tickets in bio
- Giving Back to Te Taiao workshop with Te Oranganui - 5th Aug
- Herbalism Course (private booking) - 19th Aug
- St George's School Visit - 12th Aug
- Praxis Youth Workers Workshop - 18th Aug

Want to bring your group to Pīwaiwaka Farm? We now offer venue hire too. Get in touch to book a visit, event or workshop.