Hands-on learning

Matuku Link’s education programme is focussed on giving students the opportunity to engage in hands-on science. From our water testing and macroinvertebrate identification, to learning to use binoculars to monitor our bird species, we have something for everyone!

Exploring our wetlands

Our programme focusses on the importance of our repo / wetlands. We spend the day learning and exploring Matuku Link’s 5 hectares of wetland magic.

Aroturuki - learning through monitoring

Students learn different ways we can use aroturuki / monitoring to learn about the health and mauri of our environment – from freshwater macroinvertebrate and water clarity monitoring to 5-minute bird counts and bird band reading and much more!

Rohe Koreporepo – Wetland Education Programme

At Matuku Link we aim to restore the mauri of our bush and wetland. We do this by protection and enhancing biodiversity (predator control), restoration (growing and planting) and education (raising awareness of the importance of our native environment with all our visitors – business groups, volunteers, schools and others), all with a focus on wetland ecosystems.

Brian Ireland has created a specific Wetland Education Program (Te Kaupapa rohe koreporepo) for Matuku Link. Our program focusses on hands-on education for wetland and water quality/monitoring – one full day per school class of 20 – 30 children. Our trained volunteer educators assist the Lead Educator in the delivery of the program. The students learn to use binoculars, identify bird calls, read bird bands and gather water quality data from different streams/ponds/rivers based on SHMAK (temperature, invertebrates, clarity etc.) to compare. Our programme is based on science and incorporates a Matauranga Maori approach. Our programme is adaptable to suit your class’s needs – just ask us for what you need!

Lesson plans are available on request. Contact us to book a visit or if you would like to know more using the contact form below.

We also run school holiday programme days – keep an eye out for our next one by signing up to our monthly newsletter at the bottom of this page, or read some more about it here!

Thank you to Auckland Council, Waitakere Ranges Local Board and the Mazda Foundation for financially supporting the Wetland Education Programme.