Nature is calling and you only need to visit your nearest park to heed that call. Auckland Council offers some tree-mendous nature programmes that’ll get you and your whānau trading screen time for green time as you step into your wildest classroom yet – your local park.
Through a diverse and exciting range of activities, council’s Connect to Nature programmes offer unique opportunities for Aucklanders of all ages to embrace nature at their local park. Designed to spark joy, curiosity and awaken a sense of wonder, these initiatives serve as a tool for education, conservation and well-being, while fostering a deep and lasting connection to the te taiao (natural world) for schools, youth and the wider community.
Schools and local parks – a partnership rooted in nature
Did you know local parks are a valuable resource for schools? They offer a great, hands-on opportunity for schools to connect students with nature, transforming outdoor spaces into living classrooms!
Through council’s Connect to Nature programmes, schools can actively participate in local conservation efforts and outdoor education, like the Adopt-a-Park school programme, which empowers schools across Tāmaki Makaurau to become active stewards of their local green spaces. Or through the local park Annual School Planting programme which offers a great way for students to contribute to the enhancement of biodiversity in their own local park. Classroom in the Parks offers a series of ‘discovery walks’, which turns parks into dynamic learning environments. For an enriching cultural and ecological experience, there’s the Love Your Kura programme with Riki Bennett which teaches students about Te Ao Māori perspectives on conservation and the natural world.
Tamariki getting hands-on with nature during a Wildthing adventure in one of Auckland’s parks.
Connect to Nature: youth programmes for every explorer
Keen on getting your tamariki (children) more connected to nature outside of school? From toddlers to teens, our youth-focused initiatives provide engaging experiences that build confidence, teach essential skills and ignite a lifelong passion for the outdoors - all based in our local parks.
For the younger explorers (ages 3-7) there’s the Mini Ranger Programme, in partnership with Barefooted NZ. This free programme involves sensory nature play, exciting walks, and dynamic activities that aim to instil the thrill of outdoor exploration, sparking a lifelong love for the environment.
Hands-on fun for school-aged kids (ages 6-12) includes activities like the Junior Ranger Explorer Walks which are free, ranger-led walks that inspire the younger generations to become Auckland Parks Junior Rangers (parents welcome!).
Or how about the Wildthing School Holiday Programme? In collaboration with Craftlab NZ, this programme offers a fun, immersive experience for kids aged 7–12. For $25 per child, this is a chance for young adventurers and their grown-ups to live on the wild side while building connection, confidence, and crucial outdoor skills.
For those aged 10-13, there’s the Adventure into Nature Programme - a free, two-day school holiday experience at Tōtara Park where a classic Kiwi outdoor adventure awaits. In partnership with the Auckland Council Outdoor Experience team, the programme covers essential skills like bushcraft, outdoor safety, campcraft, and leadership. It's the perfect opportunity for older children to develop the knowledge and experience they need to make the most of the great outdoors in Tāmaki Makaurau and beyond.
Exploring, creating and learning through hands-on play
Connect to Nature: programmes for all ages
Not a kid anymore? You can still discover your neighbourhood’s wild side! Your local park is more than just a place for a walk – it’s a hub for community, connection and adventure. From learning about native plants to crafting with natural materials, volunteering and even camping out with your whānau, there are countless ways to embrace nature right on your doorstep.
Connect to Nature offers opportunities for all ages, like the free Ranger-Guided Walks where you can learn about Tāmaki Makaurau’s unique natural and cultural heritage right in your local park. Or sleep under the stars with friends and whānau thanks to Family Bush Camps - these special events, held a couple of times a year, are a perfect chance for families to unplug, learn about nature, and make lasting memories in their own neighbourhood. Community Planting Days offer the opportunity (between May and September) to get your hands dirty and make a real difference to help restore our natural environment. Caring for Papatūānuku Workshops are free, ranger-led programmes that explore our role as kaitiakitanga (guardians). Learn about invasive species, restore balance to ecosystems, and discover how to increase the mauri (life force) of your local park.
For a more unique experience, join one of our upcoming immersive Nature Escape Events with Papaya Stories. Pop on a pair of headphones (provided at the event) and step into a world where nature comes alive in the most playful, unexpected ways. Through a special 45-minute interactive audio journey, you’ll dance, laugh, and connect with the outdoors like never before.
For a culturally rich hikoi, check out Mahi Takaro - Traditional Māori Games with Harko Brown. Here, you can join Māori games expert Harko Brown as he shares his expertise on how to create aro-takaro (implements of play) from resources found in the park - learn to make leaf whistles and play traditional games, all while sharing in cultural stories.
Clearly, our local parks offer so much more than just a walk in the park. And council’s Connect to Nature programmes aren’t just strengthening our connection to nature, but to the wider world around us, one school, one youth group and one neighbourhood at a time. So, go on – nature is calling… which adventure will you go on?
Find out more and see what’s happening in our parks at Auckland Parks on Facebook
For volunteering opportunities, please visit: Taiki Tāmaki Makaurau