At Kohuora Park, learning came alive - sometimes landing right on your face.
Over four lively days, teachers, students, scientists and whānau (family) came together at the end of March with one shared purpose: to care for their environment while learning from it, with support from Auckland Council and funding from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.
Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says, “Sometimes the wackiest, coolest nature experiences are at our own doorstep. Kohuora Park is a treasure trove of flora and fauna, including the long-legged insect type. The Local Board is proud to support these excursions for our young people to explore our wetlands and bush areas that are a stone's throw away from where we live. It is awesome we have the expertise of the Bug Man himself and Frazer Dale to impart their knowledge onto our school students.”
The week began with local teachers exploring the crater and wetland at Kohuora Park in Papatoetoe, guided by the famous ‘Bug Man’ Ruud Kleinpaste and Frazer Dale. They discovered simple, powerful ways to grow nature-literate learners, by slowing down, noticing, and asking questions about the world around them.
Then it was the students’ turn.
Curiosity quickly turned into action as they tested water, searched for bugs and fungi, and identified native plants and birds. Laughter mixed with learning as tamariki (children) got hands-on, building confidence and connection with the environment. Alongside science, they explored mātauranga Māori (Māori world view), hearing the story of Matāoho and deepening their understanding of the land beneath their feet.
Enviroschool lead Cate Jessep shares, “This is what Enviroschools is all about—bringing learning into the real world and supporting communities to take meaningful action. With local support and aroha from teachers and experts, these experiences help young people see that even small actions can make a big difference.
“It’s a fun way to help teachers and students see their local park as more than a playground—they play a role in caring for it.”
The week wrapped up with a community walk, where locals of all ages joined in, sharing stories, discovering new things, and even finding the courage to hold a wētā for the first time.
What started as a few days in the park has grown into new knowledge, stronger connections, and a shared commitment to care for Kohuora.
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