Kiwi Coast

Education Resources

Te katoa o ngā mea tukupū e mau hono takapiri ana – Everything is connected. Get the info you need here to start looking after your backyard, forest, native wildlife and kiwi!

Education - Te Waka Kaitiaki

Kiwi Coast's education program "Te Waka Kaitiaki' began in 2019, with Mid North Kiwi Coast Coordinator Andrew Mentor visiting kindergartens, kura/schools, and marae across Northland. Designed by Andrew and Stella Schmid, the program was delivered to 22 kindergartens, schools and marae across Te Tai Tokerau in 2019 alone. Initially, the program focused on teaching tamariki about kiwi awareness and what kiwi need to survive and thrive. However, as demand for the program grew, it became apparent that a wider approach would be beneficial, and an action focused, conservation based, educational program was developed. Thanks to support from the Northland Regional Council, a community grant from the Department of Conservation, and funds from Foundation North, Te Waka Kaitiaki now includes school visits, student workshops, fun factsheets and an annual summer series of environmental education activities at events and A+P Shows.

Kiwi Coast Fact Sheets

Download our fun factsheets complete with information and hands-on activities...

Transform Your Back Yard into a Native Bird Cafe

Before you start encouraging native birds into your backyard, it is important to make sure it is a safe place for them to visit. Find out how to keep them safe, which trees to plant to attract birds, which native birds eat what and what not to feed native birds. Activities include fruit strings and a sugar feeder.

Northland Insects (Mini-Beasts & Micro-Monsters)

Northland has a hidden world of incredible insects! Some of them are found nowhere else on the planet. Mini-beasts and micro-monsters lurk all around us – foraging in leaves, hiding in trees, burrowing in logs and flying overhead. Find out what they are, what makes them so special and what to plant to help them thrive. Learn how to make a weta hotel.

Bittern Fact Sheet

A secretive bird with a fog-horn like booming call, they are more often heard than seen. They live in shallow, densely vegetated wetlands and have been seen at the wetland edges, in drains, flooded paddocks and on roadsides. Find out how you can help bring bittern back from the brink...