A programme giving schools the opportunity to learn more about their local natural environment and the importance of healthy waterways is proving popular.

The Streamside Education programme, run by Porirua City Council Parks Education Advisor Natalie Packer, is flexible and can support what students are learning in the classroom.

Since launching the programme in 2023, Natalie has worked with students of all ages from across Porirua.

Already this year groups from Aotea and Mana colleges have been out learning about the natural environment to help with their assessments.

This term students from Porirua East School have had the opportunity to learn about the connection between art and nature by doing creative activities at Pātaka Art + Museum in the morning, then planting in an area near their school in the afternoon.

This began recently with tamariki planting 230 new trees by Mexted Stream in Rānui, just around the corner from their school.

"We want the tamariki and rangatahi of Porirua to see the connection to their environment in their local community," explains Natalie.

"This programme is about immersing them in nature and encouraging them to have a relationship with the local environment, so they can cherish it."

With this year’s planting season getting underway, Natalie says there will be plenty of opportunities for schools to do some learning outside the classroom and put plants in the ground.

In 2024 about 3800 students, teachers and parent helpers from 34 schools across Wellington and Porirua helped during the planting season.

For more information, visit poriruacity.govt.nz/streamside-planting

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