Workshops 2025

Shona Ua-Marsh

Te Puke, Aotearoa NZ – Whatu & Co

Workshop Title: Whatu & Co

Our mission is to integrate te reo Māori, te ao Māori, kawa, and tikanga Māori into early childhood education, promoting cultural awareness, understanding, and identity. Our engaging and hands-on approach provides tools that help make learning enjoyable and impactful. We guide learners through a journey of self-discovery, connecting the past, present, and future.
Initiatives: We incorporate te reo Māori and tikanga Māori into daily routines, language skills, and cultural understanding. We also offer a unique learning resource, Te Whare o Timata, a contemporary Māori marae, Whāriki ako and a Paraikete Taonga designed to promote cultural awareness and connection.

Personal Bio: Shona Ua-Marsh, an Early Childhood Kaiako with over two decades of experience is dedicated to normalising te reo Māori and te ao Māori in partnership with tamariki, parents, whānau, local iwi, hapū, and the wider community.
whatuandco.co.nz

Robz Jones

Raglan, Aotearoa NZ – Kura Taiao

Workshop Title: Jedi Training

Come and play! Join Robz for a selection of universal games for all ages and levels. Fast games, slow games, loud games, quiet games, sensory games, still games…
Aside from having fun, these games will allow you to expand your sensory capabilities, deepen your connection to both the land and people around you, and provide an important tool-kit to support a nature-based learning space.

Personal Bio: Robz runs a community space called Kura Taiao near Raglan where he mentors kids and adults, often alongside each other, in nature connection and nature craft.
The Kura Taiao journey began 13 years ago after cycling around New Zealand for 6 months with his then 2 year old son (Matai), during which time they studied and foraged wild food from Waikato to Bluff. Upon returning, they would keep the dream alive and create an ‘almost’ money-free lifestyle living in a hammock in the trees over 2 winters, before building an underground Earth house.
Such a way of life demanded a proficiency in many skills, and a deep attunement with the Earth, and their sharing of such knowledge spawned Whaingaroa Nature School in 2013 (now Kura Taiao) and a unique philosophy founded from Nature’s teachings.
Today you’ll either find Robz busy with the Kura Taiao community, alone in the Wilderness, or producing intricate Techno music (a man of extremes). His son Matai, now 14, is now a trainee mentor at Kura Taiao.
kurataiao.com, Facebook, Instagram

Leo Smith & Linda Fiso

Porirua Wellington, Aotearoa NZ – Bush Sprouts Nature School

Workshop Title: Celebrating and Working with Neurodiversity in Nature

Leo and the team at Bush Sprouts Nature School (BSNS) are well regarded at their end of the motu for their Nature School programme (1 day school) that has a focus on child-led learning and high numbers of neurodiverse ākonga.
With loads of experience on the team of kaiako, including an OT and raising our own neurodiverse children, this team has some gems of knowledge and experience to share.

Personal Bio: Leo is the director, trustee and kaiako at BSNS. Mum of 1, she worked as an outdoor instructor, at live-in outdoor ed Schools, college and Kindergartens for 15-ish years before starting BSNS 6 years ago. She loves getting outdoors with her dog, has cuddling as a super-power and loves forming beautiful, trusting relationships with ākonga.
Linda had been in EC lead roles for many years and raising her tribe of beautiful children before joining BSNS. She brings many years of experience, wicked sailing skills and fantastic conversation to the BSNS team.
bushsprouts.nz

Celia Hogan

Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa NZ – Little Kiwis Nature Play

Workshop Title: Building Resilience through Risky Play

Risky play is not just about physical development it is about building self-confidence, problem-solving and emotional resilience. These skills are transferable to other areas of our lives, they help us to cope when faced with challenging situations and are essential for a child’s healthy overall development. So many adults are hesitant when children take risks, they put roadblocks in the way or project their own fears onto the children they work with. Yet children have been taking risks since the day they were born and taught themselves many things. If we truly see children as capable and competent then we need to let them play in the ways they developmentally need to.
In this session, Celia will unpack the 8 elements of Risky Play, discuss terms like learning injuries and life-altering injuries, identify the difference between risky play and dangerous play and help us to understand our own risk profile and the impact of our language on children’s play. Celia will finish with a korero on managing risks and groups in an outdoor environment to help build the confidence of kaiako to enable positive risky play.

Personal Bio: Celia Hogan, CPO (chief play officer) and founder of Little Kiwis Nature Play, is a transformative force in nature-based education and mental well-being. As a Nature Education Specialist, Speaker, and Resilience Parenting Coach, she is a strong advocate for the essential role of nature and play in fostering resilient individuals. Celia believes that immersing children in nature inspires deep connections, nurturing the emotional and social well-being of both whānau and educators. She has over 25 years of international experience working for a variety of organisations, setting up, developing and running outdoor and wilderness programmes, leadership development programmes and establishing risk management and safety systems. Now, Celia runs a Bush Kindy, a nature play space, leads professional development training for teachers, and works as a parenting coach to support parents to navigate the challenges of parenting in the digital age. As co-chair of Education Outdoors New Zealand and an advisor for ECE Reform, her unwavering commitment is to all things child development and especially play.
www.littlekiwisnatureplay.com

Wiremu Sarich and Anna Tripp

Kaitaia, Aotearoa NZ – Educator

Workshop Title: Tatū Roa

Kia kawea tātou e te rēhia – Let us be taken by joy and entertainment! This interactive space will explore the traditional Māori worldview of leisure – the enjoyment of games, pastimes, storytelling, music and performance.
Utilising their own skills, creativity and found resources participants in groups will be invited to collectively build ‘tewhare rēhia’ – a house of entertainment. This workshop will share insights, ideas and understanding for how teachers and educators can work in natural spaces with tamariki to develop their own whare rēhia

Personal Bio: Wiremu Sarich, Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi, Tainui, is a leading exponent in the resurgence of Ngā Taonga Taakaro (traditional Māori games/pastimes). He uses fundamental principles of indigenous methodology to activate sensory awareness. Through basic instruction, physical activity and observation he challenges conventional thought processes to facilitate participants’ understanding of connection to themselves, others and the natural environment.

Anna Tripp, Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi, Vanua Balavu, is a former early childhood teacher having worked in both Kōhungahunga and Kindergarten. She expresses her own unique connection to the natural world through her enjoyment of crafting aro taakaro, implements of play. Maara kai, maramataka Māori and rongoā Māori are key influences that inform and guide her practice.

Sarah Aiono

Hawkes Bay, Aotearoa NZ – Longworth Education

Workshop Title: Play Courageous Educators: Standing Firm for Play, Nature, and a Protected Childhood

In an era of increasing standardisation, risk aversion, and a push towards ‘back to basics’ and knowledge-based curriculum delivery, how can educators stand courageously for what we know truly benefits children? This workshop, led by Dr. Sarah Aiono, delves into the challenges faced by teachers who wish to prioritise nature play, experiential learning, and a protected childhood amidst policy pressures and societal expectations. We will explore practical strategies to navigate the tension between policy demands and developmentally appropriate practices, empowering educators to advocate for play-based, nature-rich learning experiences. Through reflective dialogue, case studies, and actionable tools, participants will learn how to challenge the status quo, confidently manage risks, and champion courageous teaching that honours children’s innate need to explore, play, and connect with the natural world. Join us to build resilience as an educator and stand firm for a future where play and nature remain at the heart of learning.

Personal Bio:Dr. Sarah Aiono is an education thought leader and global expert in innovative, play-based pedagogy. As the Community Lead for HundrED in Oceania, Dr. Aiono champions forward-thinking educational approaches that prioritise developmentally appropriate and engaging learning experiences. With extensive experience in bridging the gap between research and classroom practice, Dr. Aiono supports educators in implementing evidence-informed teaching strategies that nurture curiosity, creativity, and a deep connection to nature. Passionate about the role of play in learning, Dr. Aiono advocates for integrating outdoor and nature-based education into mainstream settings to foster holistic development in children. A sought-after speaker and advisor, Dr. Aiono contributes regularly to media and educational forums, sharing insights on innovative approaches that empower both educators and learners.
longwortheducation.com

Nadia Clarke Cordick

Toronto, Ontario, Canada – University of Guelph-Humber

Workshop Title: Cultivating Inclusivity Through Nature-Based Pedagogy: Enhancing the Well-Being of Racially Marginalised Students

Discover how to enrich your teaching practices with culturally inclusive and anti-racist nature-based pedagogy in our interactive workshop designed for educators. This workshop will guide you through innovative strategies to integrate diverse cultural perspectives and ecological knowledge into your curriculum, fostering an inclusive environment that enhances the well-being and educational outcomes of racially marginalised students. Join us to explore the vital connections between nature, culture, and identity, and learn how to create engaging, reflective, and empowering educational experiences that resonate with all students.

Personal Bio: Nadia Clarke is an educator and holistic fitness trainer, frequently featured on CTV’s The Social, and is a plant-based ultramarathon runner. She possesses a comprehensive background in holistic health and wellness, holding a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and Master of Arts in Social Justice, with a research focus on Black women’s wellness. She also has various fitness certifications. Currently, Nadia teaches in the Kinesiology department at the University of Guelph-Humber and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Education. Her doctoral research investigates the efficacy of redesigning curricula to prioritise culturally inclusive and anti-racist educational programs, with a particular emphasis on nature-based pedagogy. Her primary objective is to explore how these pedagogical approaches can serve as tools for decolonial resistance, enhancing the well-being of racially marginalised students across a range of educational settings, from early childhood to higher education.

Cherish Camacho Dobson

Auckland, Aotearoa NZ

Workshop Title: What, Why and How. Yoga for children.

Cherish will look at the what, why and how of yoga for children. She will also show how it relates to Māori Hauora philosophy of health.
Personal Bio: Cherish is a yoga teacher in the Auckland region.

Personal Bios: Cherish is a yoga teacher in the Auckland region.

Terrayne Whata and Dani Lebo

Whanganui, Aotearoa NZ – Whanganui Intermediate/The ECO School

Workshop Title: Te Ako i Te Ngahere – Interweaving Te Ao Maori into your Forest School Program
We will look at ways to authentically engage in safe cultural practices within forest school and nature play settings in regards to developing rich practices and deep connection to the places and people from your area. We will draw from examples as Pakeha and Māori educators who work together in a reo rua program delivered within a mainstream kura.

Personal Bios: Kia ora. Ko Terrayne Whata tōku ingoa. Born in Christchurch, raised in Rotorua, living in Whanganui with my tamāhine. I am currently teaching at Whanganui Intermediate School as a Te Reo Māori teacher. I am also blessed to be a part of our Forest School Unit.
Kia ora, ko Dani Lebo au. No New Jersey, USA au, engari e noho ana au i Whanganui inaianei ratou ko toku whanau. I run The ECO School and currently work alongside Terrayne at Whanganui Intermediate. I have a BA in International Intercultural Studies, a Masters in International Education, and level 5 Te Reo Māori through Te Wananga o Aotearoa.
www.theecoschool.net

Amy Horn

Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa NZ – Adventure Specialties Trust

Workshop Title: Nature, Outdoor and Adventure Therapy – The cousin of nature education!

This workshop will be a time to explore the similarities and differences of Nature Education with Nature Based Therapies including Adventure Therapy. We’ll look at how these therapies are defined and understood culturally within Aotearoa and internationally. We will explore some of the ‘roles nature plays in therapy’ that have been identified from Amy’s Master’s Thesis. We will look at how some of the tools and approaches from outdoor therapies can be useful to support hauora for tamariki and whānau within a nature education context.

Personal Bio: Amy started her working life as an outdoor instructor at Adventure Specialties Trust and was fascinated by the power of nature and outdoor activities to support healing and growth in people. She continued on to work at Outward Bound before moving to Christchurch to study Psychology and Counselling. She worked at Oranga Tamariki youth residence before returning to Adventure Specialties Trust with the Kaupapa of developing Adventure Therapy services. She is the current chair of ĀTA – the association for practitioners working therapeutically in the outdoors and has previously been the Chair of the International Adventure Therapy Committee. She holds many roles as a workmate, a daughter, a friend, a wife, a step-mum to two teenagers and a mother to a 3 year old girl.
adventurespecialties.co.nz, adventuretherapyaotearoa.nz

Robz Jones

Raglan, Aotearoa NZ – Kura Taiao

Workshop Title: A Bushman’s Guide to Natural Resources

Robz from Kura Taiao will introduce you to several Natural resources which have kept him alive during his ‘Wild Time’. Whether it’s for food, fire, medicine, or craft, Mother Nature provides it, if we know what to look for. Another important element of this workshop is listening to Nature, and walking this Earth with gratitude, care and respect. We’ll explore techniques to bring this philosophy into our community spaces, and likely throw a game or two in for good measure.

Personal Bio: Robz runs a community space called Kura Taiao near Raglan where he mentors kids and adults, often alongside each other, in nature connection and nature craft.
The Kura Taiao journey began 13 years ago after cycling around New Zealand for 6 months with his then 2 year old son (Matai), during which time they studied and foraged wild food from Waikato to Bluff. Upon returning, they would keep the dream alive and create an ‘almost’ money-free lifestyle living in a hammock in the trees over 2 winters, before building an underground Earth house.
Such a way of life demanded a proficiency in many skills, and a deep attunement with the Earth, and their sharing of such knowledge spawned Whaingaroa Nature School in 2013 (now Kura Taiao) and a unique philosophy founded from Nature’s teachings.
Today you’ll either find Robz busy with the Kura Taiao community, alone in the Wilderness, or producing intricate Techno music (a man of extremes). His son Matai, now 14, is now a trainee mentor at Kura Taiao.
kurataiao.com, Facebook, Instagram

Kathy Broadhead

Waihi Beach, Western Bay of Plenty, Aotearoa NZ

Workshop Title: Nature Connection – Planting the seed for tamariki to develop deep love and care for Papatūānuku, Mama Nature

Join me to experience how easy it can be to get your tamariki connecting with and learning in nature, in your green spaces. Together we’ll enjoy a variety of nature connection experiences and learn how important time spent connecting with nature is in developing a deep love and care for the natural world. This connection is the foundation for which embodied environmental stewardship and kaitiakitanga is developed, and is an important step to integrate in developing any enviro, or sustainability programme. We’ll also explore the enormous benefits for hauora, holistic wellbeing that come from this connection with nature, for both tamariki and teachers alike. In this nourishing and nurturing workshop you’ll develop your own connection with nature and learn tools, tips, tricks and take away resources to support you in using nature as your classroom and co-teacher.

Personal Bio: I’m Kathy, Founder and Lead Educator of Nature Library NZ, I love sharing the gift of nature with tamariki and teachers alike. I am based in the beautiful Bay of Plenty where I run Nature Kids – Weekday Nature School and Holiday Club. I also facilitate Nature Education Training for Teachers and Kākano Kids In-School Programme all around Aotearoa, NZ. I use nature as my classroom, co-teacher and inspiration to support the growth, development and wellbeing of tamariki (and teachers). My programmes blend intentional experiences, child-led exploration and free nature play. I am a nature lover, and take time to connect with nature everyday. I am a qualified and experienced Environmental Educator with over 20 years in various education roles in NZ and abroad. I am a trained teacher with a MEd, PGDip and a BSc, but I believe nature and experiences with and in nature are the best teachers of all. I know connecting with and learning in nature are the most important things in helping children develop an enduring love and care for the natural world. And, I love sharing how easy this can be through my programmes.

https://www.naturelibrary.co.nz/

Celia Hogan

Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa NZ – Little Kiwis Nature Play

Workshop Title: Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviours

When children behave in challenging ways they are communicating something to us. Being able to understand what their behaviour is communicating, and how we communicate in those times, is a wonderful skill to have. In this workshop, we will explore how we can become behaviour detectives and then communicate to create balance and harmony through mindful and respectful communication skills. We will cover what challenging behaviours might be communicating, the importance of being a regulated and calm adult during these moments, why relationships and connection matter and some communication tools and strategies to support adults to bring calm to themselves and to the situation. There will be a mix of conversation, hands-on learning and listening, using small group work, scenarios and your own real-world situations that we can work through.
Using these strategies will not only help you during these tricky times but also support your children’s emotional resilience, giving them skills for life in regulating their emotions and overcoming frustrations and challenges respectfully.

Personal Bio: Celia Hogan is passionate about getting children outdoors and into Nature. She is a strong advocate for nature play, nature connection, risky play, building resilience, and improving mental health and well-being through nature. Celia originally studied outdoor recreation and adult education. For the past 20 years she has worked for a variety of outdoor education and personal development organisations. Celia works hard to change the face of education in New Zealand. She has led a petition to enable full time nature-based kindergartens to start in New Zealand and her personal goal is to see every child spending at least 3 hours outside every day in New Zealand. To make this happen she runs professional development training, workshops and conferences for teachers to boost their confidence and help them to make it happen. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and has survived a variety of crisis’ both professionally and personally to give some real depth to her conversations .Celia is a natural and welcoming speaker and manages to juggle speaking engagements, running her Bush Kindy sessions for pre-schoolers and their whanau, and taking her own kids on mini adventures in nature.
littlekiwisnatureplay.com

Aynsley Cisaria

Auckland, Aotearoa, NZ

Workshop Title: Design your Playground

Aynsley will go through some key elements of designing useable spaces for children with an opportunity for a question and answer session at the end.

Personal Bio: My passion for children’s outdoor play and environmental education inspired my decision to retrain as a landscape architect and become a play specialist. This followed my success in education at both tertiary and early childhood levels.

Since joining Boffa Miskell, I have been involved in a number of projects of varying scale, with a particular focus on open space and recreation, play spaces, learning landscapes for schools and kindergartens and planting design.

I have a keen interest in native plants, which is of great benefit to my design work.

I relish discovering Māori and Pakeha stories of the land in Aotearoa New Zealand, and weaving them into a new narrative. I employ thoughtful, responsive designs that deliver imaginative and creative recreation spaces for families and communities.

Merryn Grace

Kaitaia, Aotearoa NZ – Anō Anō

Workshop Title: Beltrane Celebration

“What is all this juice and all this joy?” Spring is bursting and yearning all around us, can you see, feel, smell, hear, taste it? Come and be part of a ritual to celebrate this moment. It’ll be much like our ancestors used to do, but different too, because it is new, it’s now, and it’s uniquely ours. Expect storytelling, crafts, games, sharing, and laughter. Expect to feel like you yourself are spring, and part of this aliveness. Come away with a seed planted in your heart, which will grow if you tend it, and with the tools to create seasonal celebrations throughout the year with your own community.

Personal Bio: Kia ora, my name is Merryn. I grew up in the Manawatū and now live at a place called Earth Spirit, just south of Kaitaia. I am a witch, a student of sacred storytelling, druidry (the nature-based path of my Celtic ancestors), and of listening to the living spirits of the natural world. My life purpose is to keep magic alive, and reignite it where it has been lost. My day jobs are entertaining children (of all ages) with storytelling, facepainting, games, and nature adventures, as well as running handcraft workshops & seasonal celebrations via Anō Anō – The Upcycle Space in Kaitaia.
www.merryngrace.com

Rachel Thompson & Heidi Pritchard

Taupō, Aotearoa NZ – Kids Greening Taupō

Workshop Title: Creating Kaitiaki of the Future

Rachel and Heidi will take participants on a bush walk and show how they use connecting with nature as a way to create the future. They love to see tamariki enthusiastically noticing, discovering and wondering about the flora, fauna and fungi around them, let’s get you doing the same thing! Through storytelling, they will show participants how unique and special our native species are. There will be a focus on understanding the connections in our ecosystem, and the need to protect our native biodiversity. They will share some of their favourite resources, all available from the Kids Greening Taupō website, and discuss ways to use them with different age groups.

Personal Bios: Rachel and Heidi both come from teaching backgrounds, each having taught various age levels in different countries for almost 20 years. They are now education coordinators for Kids Greening Taupō, a not for profit environmental education organisation. They aim to connect tamariki and rangatahi with nature now, to create adults who care about protecting the environment in the future. They also use native restoration work and other conservation work as authentic learning contexts for young people in Taupō. Every school and many ECE centres in Taupō have a native restoration area to use as a learning space. While connecting tamariki with nature, Rachel and Heidi use storytelling about our native plants, animals and fungi to build a sense of wonder and respect for the unique species in Aotearoa. They are enthusiastic and love seeing excited tamariki discovering the miracles of the natural world around them.
kidsgreeningtaupo.org.nz

Dani Lebo

Whanganui, Aotearoa NZ – The ECO School

Workshop Title: Maker Space

Come enjoy hands-on learning with bushcraft, fire, and knots. You can choose to engage in the mahi you are drawn to – weaving, bushcraft, trapping, fire-making, hammocks, and zip lines. We will help you learn some new skills and add some knowledge to your kete.

Personal Bio: Kia ora, ko Dani Lebo au. No New Jersey, USA au, engari e noho ana au i Whanganui inaianei ratou ko toku whanau. I run The ECO School in Whanganui, providing accessible sustainability education through permaculture courses, community workshops, and nature play programs. Coming from a background in outdoor education, adventure therapy, and teaching I enjoy exploring the interplay between ako and kaiako. I don’t sit still much, and love play in all forms. I have a BA in International Intercultural Studies, a Masters in International Education, and level 5 Te Reo Māori through Te Wananga o Aotearoa.
www.theecoschool.net

Leo Smith

Porirua, NZ – Bushsprouts

Workshop Title: Pest trapping with tamariki; being Kaitiaki

You don’t have to be Gareth Morgan or a hardcore expert to trap pests in your backyard. While some are squeamish or believe children should be sheltered from seeing death, if you’ve spent any time in your local bush you will have noticed the damage to our precious taonga species, caused by pest species. Pest trapping is a way for children to make a big difference for te taiao and to use observation, noticing, testing and other skills to be kaitiaki.

I have been trapping pests with children for nearly 20 years. I’ve helped set up two local pest free groups and regularly work with children to learn about what pests are in the area, why they are pests and what we can do about them. From Kindergarten kids trapping pests to protect their bush and seashore manu, to School kids managing their own trap lines, to college kids testing possum lures and trapping and selling the fur to fund further trapping, I’ve helped many tamariki and rangatahi develop their relationship with nature and become kaitiaki for te taiao.

In this workshop we will:
-Learn a bit about some common pests that are harming our endemic taonga
-Discuss what we can do about them and have a go at some kid-friendly methods of identifying what pests are around and how to control/trap them
-Learn about empowering kids to be kaitiaki for their local areas through action projects, being involved and creating communities of kaitiaki
-Hear about the difference that this makes for te taiao
-Using trapping as a tool for learning and for developing connections with nature, people and communities

Personal Bio: Kia ora, Ko Leo toku ingoa. I am the director of Bush Sprouts / Nature School; we have been empowering childrens’ learning from and through play in nature for 5+ years now. As a child reared on bushwalks every weekend and rockpooling every day after school, I developed a love for being in nature which influences many of the choices I’ve made in life. After studying and then working as an outdoor educator in NZ and overseas for many years, I re-trained into teaching, working at a couple of outdoor education Schools, then ended up working as a Kindergarten teacher and introducing Bush Sprouts for one day every week. I took a leap and started Nature School NZ to do this full time, and have been loving getting kids out into nature for the last 5+ years in Porirua and Wellington.
www.bushsprouts.nz