Find out how these programmes can be combined as part of a longer trip.
Try out these well tested programmes, which are already annual features on the calendar for dozens of New Zealand schools. If you're keen to offer your students some fantastic EOTC to consolidate classroom learning, develop field skills, provide opportunities for assessment, insight into career and study opportunities or simply an experience to "switch them on" to your subject, get in touch to find out more.
Natural Hazards and Coastal Processes (Bay of Plenty)
Two day programme for Year 11 Geography students This field trip gives students the chance to examine an extreme natural event and the human response, in location, as well as gaining practical geographical skills.
New Zealand curriculum and assessment
AS 90202 Examine an extreme natural event and the human response AS 90205: Apply skills and ideas with direction in a geographic context AS 90206: Carry out and present directed geographic research
Activities to choose from
Discussion: Impact of Earthquakes on the Land Living with the Hazard: Hear from those who lived through the disaster Visit areas directly affected by the 1987 earthquake Walk up Mt. Edgecumbe, including field-sketching opportunities from the summit (Weather dependent) Optional horse riding,or blokarting adventure Evening hot soak in Mt. Maunganui Hot Pools Walk up Mount Maunganui followed by discussion (Evolution of the natural landscape with reference to climatic, tectonic and surface weathering processes) and field sketching Papamoa Beach discussion on dune succession Skills Session & Data collection in groups at Papamoa Beach including beach profiling, sediment analysis, and measurement of longshore drift.
Urban Settlements (Auckland City)
One or Two day programme for Year 12 Geography students aimed at developing understanding the complexities of urban growth and change in Auckland, as well as providing an opportunity to collect data for internal assessment.
Christchurch Cathedral
New Zealand curriculum and assessment
AS 90332: Explain an urban settlement AS 90335: Carry out and present guided geographic research
Activities to choose from
Discussion en route: Urban Hierarchies, Spheres of Influence and History of Auckland Top of Mount Eden: explanation of volcanic landforms, isthmus, climate, housing types and ages, street plans, gardens, public spaces, etc. & field sketching Use of Public Transportation: Train and Ferry travel Greenlane – Brittomart – Devonport Auckland City Council Presentation “CBD Into the Future” or similar• Sky Tower Visit Visit to IMAX Movie Theatre for evening entertainment Data Collection: In groups in the CBD Tour of the Eastern Suburbs Map work and Field Sketching at Point View Reserve Manukau City Council Presentation on Development at Flat Bush or similar Shopping at Botany Downs
Taupo Volcanic Zone (Rotorua – Taupo – Tongariro)
A three day programme for Year 12 Geography students aimed at getting first-hand experience in order to unravel the past, and understand the processes that have worked to create the Taupo Volcanic Zone.
New Zealand curriculum and assessment
AS 90331: Explain a natural landscape AS 90334: Apply skills and ideas, in a geographic context
Activities to choose from
Rotorua Museum: Introduction to volcanism in New Zealand, tour Tarawera Exhibition and enjoy audiovisual (including earthquake simulation) Wai-O-Tapu (or Waimangu) Geothermal Park Tour of volcanic landforms. Tongariro Crossing (fair weather option)
Red craterTongariro Alpine Crossing
OR Silica Rapids/Mangatepopo Valley/Lake Rotopounamu circuit (poor weather options) and optional extra half day white water rafting trip (adds $75 a head) Geomorphology: lava flows, stratification, mass movements…Discuss geological history of the park, volcano/eruption types… Audiovisual and exhibition at Whakapapa DOC centre (introduction to park history, plate tectonics, ecology, geology and management). Park management issues discussion: human impacts, endangered species, volcanic hazards (eg: current lahar risk) Hot swim Geothermal Steam Field visit and discuss geothermal power generation Field sketching of the Taupo Caldera Volcanic Activity Centre: Interactive Displays Huka Falls and /or Craters of the Moon: visit as time allows Discussion on living with volcanic hazards
Geography Skills (Rotorua)
Two Day Programme for Year 11 Geography students aimed at incorporating an opportunity to gain knowledge of natural hazards in New Zealand as well as valuable geographic skills.
Champagne Pool - Waiotapu
New Zealand curriculum and assessment
AS 90202: Examine a natural event and the human response AS 90205: Apply skills and ideas with direction in a geographic context
Activities to choose from
Rotorua Museum: introduction to volcanism in New Zealand and the Taupo volcanic zone: displays and video (including earthquake simulation) Kuirau Park: Testing water of geothermal pools and see recent hydrothermal eruption site. “Living with the Hazard”: Guided tour of Geothermal park: (Te Puia, Waiotapu or Hell’s Gate) Hot swim Evening presentations based on Geographical Skills Navigation and map work in Redwoods Data Collection in the CBD Field Sketching of Rotorua Caldera Gondola and Luge (one luge run included)
Resource Use (Waikato)
One day programme for Year 11 Geography studentsThis field trip gives students the chance to gain first-hand knowledge on dairy farming and coal mining.
New Zealand curriculum and assessment
AS 90204 Describe resource use in a farming or mining context
Activities to choose from
Dairy Farm Visit: discussion on faming, field sketching and tour. Rotowaro Opencast Mine Visit: guided tour of the mines currently in operation by Solid Energy. Museum Visit: See how mining occurred in the past Huntly power station: (how coal is used in NZ) presentation and tour Dairy research facility: how research supports profitability and sustainability of the dairy industry
Precious as Gold – Resource Use (Waihi - Coromandel peninsula)
A one day programme for Year 11 Geography students: this field trip gives students the chance to gain first-hand knowledge on gold mining past and present, occurrence, extraction and use.
New Zealand curriculum and assessment
AS 90204 Examine resource use in a mining context AS 90205: Apply skills and ideas with direction in a geographic context
Activities to choose from
Short walks and field sketching followed by discussion on past volcanic activity on the Coromandel peninsula Explore stamper batteries and other mining relics Prospect and pan for gold. Compare environmental management now and in the early days of NZ mining Visit an open cast and underground mines.
Rangitoto Island
One day programme for Year 11 Geography studentsFor those who don’t want to travel far but still need to understand volcanic activity, this programme is aimed at dissecting the past from the present in terms of volcanic activity and the resulting features as well as giving an opportunity to try out some geographical skills.
New Zealand curriculum and assessment
AS 90202 Examine an extreme natural event and the human response AS 90205: Apply skills and ideas with direction in a geographic context
Activities to choose from
Guided walk to summit Field Sketching and map work from summit Activities and discussions: Sequence of Events and resulting landforms. Hands-on rock identification using various rock types with discussion focusing on variations in volcanic activity Visit lava caves Model eruption sequence for Auckland volcanoes Living with volcanic activity: discussion of volcanic hazard Management
Living on the Edge: Volcanic Activity
A 1-3 day programme, based around Rotorua only, or Rotorua and Taupo
New Zealand curriculum and assessment
AS 90202 Examine an extreme natural event and the human response AS 90205: Apply skills and ideas with direction in a geographic context
Activities to choose from
Tour of the Tarawera exhibition at Rotorua Museum. Audiovisual presentation (a couple of surprises here). Thermal pool chemistry (where safety considerations allow) Wairakei Terraces and geothermal power station. Uses of geothermal energy: Prawn Farm. Discussion: living with volcanic activity Interpretation of landforms (depends on route). Guided tour of thermal reserve (Orakei Korako, Waimangu, Hell’s Gate) as appropriate Boat ride (Not at Hell’s Gate, optional at Waimangu) Hot swim (optional) 4WD trip, guided walk and scree run on Mt Tarawera.
New Zealand curriculum and assessment
