Citycare Property supports Environmental Education Programme
Since term four, 2023, students from Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery School in central Christchurch have participated in Mātauranga Ngahere (Forest of Knowledge) at Climate Action Campus. Mātauranga Ngahere is a community-driven initiative that provides rangatahi with a learning journey that is rooted in the principles of kaitiakitanga, mana tangata, and Kotahitanga.
"We asked the students to design and build a youth park space within the campus."
Mātauranga Ngahere was established by Citycare Property in 2022 in partnership with Climate Action Campus, Christchurch City Council, Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery School and Sport Canterbury. The programme provides a learning opportunity for rangatahi to benefit from an outdoor focussed education experience with strong mentorship from adults with sector experience.
Citycare Property Community Partnership Advisor and project lead for Mātauranga Ngahere, Hana Saemon-Beck, says the programme is about empowering young people to take ownership of their environment by providing opportunities to involve them in active participation, co-design, and guardianship of shared spaces within the city.
“The on the ground programme operates out of Climate Action Campus, co-founded by Vicki Buck post-earthquake, a space where school students can focus on any aspect of climate change. The site was established in 4.5 acres of red zoned land and now houses gardens, greenhouses, water connections and much more. It is a state school that is free for other schools to use. Mātauranga Ngahere weaves nature-based education, hands-on experiences, and community collaboration to provide young learners with a holistic and immersive learning journey that has kaitiakitanga, mana tangata, and Kotahitanga at its roots,” says Hana.
"The students get excited about being outdoors and they particularly enjoy working with the Citycare Property team."
Several Citycare Property staff are involved in delivery of the programme and providing appropriate mentorship and support for this unique educational project.
Approximately 15 students, aged 12 – 16 years, participate in the programme each week, spending Friday mornings on site and Tuesday afternoons completing theoretical work within the school.
“We asked the students to design and build a youth park space within the campus. The Citycare Property team provide expertise around soil testing, plant selection and other practical experience and other than that we allow the students to explore their creativity,” says Hana.
Four different park designs have been completed by students including a bike track and a fruit garden and work will start next term on construction. The project's success will result in the creation of a recreational and educational space for rangatahi and the hapori (community) while contributing to the preservation and growth of Ōtautahi Christchurch's natural environment.
Rachel Cummins Learning Adviser with Climate Action Campus says that the Mātauranga Ngahere programme gives students hands on learning practice and a sense of ownership of space with them making decisions about how they want the land used.
“The students get excited about being outdoors and they particularly enjoy working with the Citycare Property team. It has given them fresh ideas about career pathways and potential apprenticeship opportunities,” says Rachel.