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our kaupapa

what we do and why we do it...

tūhura wilderness is about creating magic…

our children deserve time to be children:
to learn and play how they need to, 
to just "be" 
to have wellbeing at the core of their education
to feel safe, included and seen
to explore and discover the world around them

investigate and discover...

our children abandon the hurries and demands of modern life for a day in the wilderness…

real and appropriate child-led play that results in curious exploration and relevant learning

our kaupapa

Tūhura Wilderness Trust is a registered charitable trust in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, set up to support tamariki in reconnecting with nature.

Our tamariki learn and play in a safe and supported environment of New Zealand native bush – there are skinks and piwakawaka, and rocks and trees and leaves, mud and streams – and endless opportunties to explore the world around us.

Our tamariki choose how to spend their day – building huts, damming a stream, making gourmet mud cakes… whilst problem solving, exploring, working together, strengthening their resilience skills, and developing a sense of confidence in the forest.

Our kaitiaki support our tamariki to be safe and well through free play – providing an opportunity to empower our young people to make decisions, grow together, lead their peers, encounter challenges, find resolutions, experience mistakes, work through their emotions and feelings, and love the world around them.

We respect our environment and those around us. We are resourceful, considerate, tread lightly, and give back to our earth. We treat each other with kindness and compassion and understanding and embrace acceptance.

Tūhura Wilderness provides an opportunity for the tamariki of the wider Rangitaiki Plains/Eastern Bay of Plenty to ditch the stresses, demands, expectations and high-pace of our modern world. We are not a school or an organised learning facility – in fact, we have no buildings, no pens and paper, no teachers, no homework, and definitely no screens (we don’t even have any power!).

What we do have is a positive attitude, clothing appropriate for the weather, first aid trained supervisors (kaitiaki), a healthy respect for our environment, and a team who are passionate about holistic wellbeing and free range play.

Come and join us in the wilderness: our team is made up of the Trust members, volunteers, kaitiaki, and we’re here to ensure tamariki in the Eastern Bay have the opportunity to reconnect with themselves, our forests, and each other!

why...

We're part of the solution of our current health & mental health crisis.

Data shows children in Aotearoa have never been more stressed, anxious, unfit and overweight. 

One day a week in the bush addresses this issue, by providing a space for our children to be outside, away from screens, not confined to classes or timetables, moving, making new connections, and respecting our environment.

how a nature education works...

are we a “normal” school?

Tūhura Wilderness is a forest experience – we’re here to PLAY!

We have no structured learning, no set activities, no curriculum, no plan, no tests or benchmarks to meet – just old-fashioned, brain nourishing, soul-filling, heart warming play.

Children enrolled in school have provision to attend what is known as a One Day School for the purpose of extension or specialised subject learning, under the Education and Training Act 2020. Permission should be sought from your school’s principal/board to ensure your child is marked appropriately for their absence.

For those children who are home educated, attendance may be on multiple days.

do we charge for our adventures?

We are not funded by the Ministry of Education – we don’t get any funding at all. That makes us a user-paid service because we need to cover some costs, but as a charitable trust, we don’t make a profit. We work really hard to ensure our fees are as accessible as possible, and we are applying for grants/donations/opportunities to help even more families access our play.

Our explorations are per term (9-10 weeks) so a full commitment is required by your whānau. In return, we commit to full adventure mode in rain or shine!

do we need shelter?

Tūhura Wilderness operates each day outside – we dress for hot days and we dress for cold wet days. We do have a small shelter to keep our gear dry and get changed under. Our tamariki bring several changes of clothes and often heat their lunch on the fire so they are warm and toasty and fuelled for adventure!

so what do we need?

Our exploration team need to be well equipped!

Your tamariki will require several changes of clothes, suitable footwear, very nourishing and large lunchboxes, and big bottles of water.

We supply additional sunblock and all the wood, nails, mud and grass slopes required for the ultimate play adventure!

do we accept everyone?

Tūhura Wilderness welcomes your tamariki and we are inclusive.

The prerequisites are that your child can get to site safely (i.e they can move), that they are independent (i.e do not require assistance toileting), and that they will safe on sessions (i.e not violent, or inclined to disappear!). Sometimes we have enrolments where caregivers will attend with the child in order to meet their additional needs whilst giving them the opportunity to attend. 

Our whanau at Tūhura Wilderness are inclusive and accepting - our tamariki are warm and welcome to all different children.

Tūhura Wilderness currently accepts applications for tamariki aged 4.5 years to 14 years.
On each day/session, we are one big group of mixed ages.

can my child come with (insert extra needs)?

As above, children with extra needs are also welcome. Behavioral and developmental needs are not a barrier to play in the wilderness - in fact, we'd argue, these children need outdoor time even more!

As long as everyone can be safe and well, we’re open to everyone.

As above, the requirements are:
*fit the age group of the session,
*be willing to engage and be respectful,
*be able to walk into the site (approx 5 minutes on a gentle up/down hill,
*that everyone is safe at all times,
*that everyone is well prepared for the seasons,
*there are no signs of any child being unwell (like snotty noses, coughs or lethargy).

is it safe to be in the bush?

Tūhura Wilderness is a forest experience – and being in the bush changes the ‘definitions’ of safe by the very nature of being outdoors!

We have not wrapped the trees in bubble wrap, removed biting insects and rigged up outdoor heaters – our tamariki learn through natural consequences how to watch their step, respect the wildlife, dress for the weather and operate tools safely.

We foster self management and a healthy respect for our own bodies. We have no clocks, bells or alarms – our tamariki choose what to do and how to do it. They eat when they are hungry, take off their jersey when they are warm and pull on extra socks when they are cold.

We have some guidelines to ensure wellbeing and safety – such as how to safely use tools, staying under full supervision, be prepared for the seasons, wash hands often! All of our tamariki know the guidelines and support each other to meet them – part of looking out for each other.

Tūhura Wilderness Trust has a comprehensive health and safety policy for all whanau to read before enrolling. The Trust has identified and minimised as many risks as practicable. We operate a low ratio (1:8) and the whole Trust team have created plans and resources in place to cater for a myriad of situations. However there are always some risks when playing in nature and we like to check every whanau is aware of these!

Tūhura Wilderness is a forest experience – and being in the bush changes the ‘definitions’ of safe by the very nature of being outdoors!

do we have to be local??

Our Tūhura Wilderness forest experience is based in Matatā/Awakaponga, in the beautiful Eastern Bay, so you can travel from wherever you are happy to drive from!

We are 12 minutes from Edgecumbe, 20 mins from Whakatane, 2 mins from Matata, 15 minutes from Pikowai, 35 minutes from Rotoma – in the foothills of Manawahe.

Our site in Awakaponga is on a forestry/beef farm in native bush.

Many of our parents arrange their own private car pooling arrangements to share the transport load!

who are we?

We are run by a committee of dedicated and passionate parents who believe in the restorative and essential developmental aspects of free-range play and connection with nature.

Our supervisors are all qualified and experienced educators but more importantly, they believe in child-led curiosity and hands on exploration.

Experience the magic for yourself