8 May 2015

The Warehouse stores fundraise to help students visit Wellington Zoo

Customers shopping at The Warehouse this May will be able to personally help children from low decile schools visit Wellington Zoo – many for the first time.

The Warehouse Wellington Zoofari, a partnership between Wellington Zoo and The Warehouse Group, began in 2013 with the aim of making Zoo learning more accessible.

Now in its second year, the programme has been wildly successful. By the end of 2015, over 3,500 students from 28 low-decile schools in Wellington and Tasman will have visited the Zoo to enjoy a hands-on, nature-based learning experience.

“The Warehouse Zoofari is a fantastic initiative. It’s wonderful to see so many young students in the Zoo who wouldn’t necessarily be able to visit otherwise,” said Lynn Allan, Wellington Zoo Learning Manager.

“All Kiwi kids deserve to experience the joy of connecting with nature, and the unique learning environment at Wellington Zoo is perfect for providing a deeper understanding of wildlife and the natural world around us.”

The Warehouse in-store fundraising for 2016 begins in Wellington, Marlborough and Tasman stores on 11 May 2015 and runs for two weeks.

“With over $25,000 raised in 2013 and $26,500 in 2014, we are hoping to raise more money this year to help send even more kids to the Zoo in 2016,” said Alicia Harris, Wellington Zoo Partnerships Manager.

NZ Bus supports The Warehouse Wellington Zoofari by providing discounted transport for participating schools to and from Wellington Zoo. The Interislander also supports The Warehouse Wellington Zoofari by providing return passage to students travelling to Wellington from the upper South Island.

Nearly 1,800 students from 13 schools are taking part in the programme in 2015: Epuni Primary, Rata Street School, Naenae Intermediate and Taita Central School from Lower Hutt; Maoribank School from Upper Hutt; Titahi Bay North School, Ngati Toa School, Glenview School, Natone Park School, and Windley School from Porirua; Otaki Primary and Te Kura-a-iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano from Otaki; and Parklands School from Motueka.

Approximately 12,000 students have visited Wellington Zoo in the past year to participate in Ministry of Education Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom (LEOTC) programmes.

ENDS

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