Eastern Institute of Technology, New Zealand

Ko au te taiao, ko te taiao ko au : I am nature, nature is me

Last year’s application described the development of the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre (OOLC) and related activities, enabling Learning in Nature (LIN) within an immersive mindspace. This year’s application describes the project’s increased community reach and enhancing lives by connecting people with nature and cultural heritage.

LIN has developed through research and regional engagement with educators and learners at Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) and through communities of practice; advancing teacher ability to embed nature literacy into the early childhood to post-graduate. This is an authentic collaboration between a tertiary education provider (EIT), local indigenous hapū (Māori kinship group) (Ngāti Pārau), central and local government, and environmental groups. Project reach has extended to greater campus engagement through initiatives that includes the employment of an Environment and Sustainability team, a waste minimisation awareness project, and a commitment by the students’ association to work towards eliminating single use plastic bottles on campus.  

Top 3 Learnings

1. Regional collaboration is essential for co-design of resources and ensuring community driven initiatives are effective.
2. Working across curriculum and levels enables LIN to be embedded within a region’s educational culture.
3. Relationships with tangata whenua (people of the land) authentically connects communities with local cultural heritage.