Core Visit 

Visit Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery in a singular core visit with our Educator. This programme is designed to fit within an environmental, conservation or native species unit. It can be useful at any stage of a unit, just let us know how much prior knowledge students have. It’s also suitable for a standalone visit. Please see our pre-visit resources to ensure students get the most from their visit. 

Our Education Programme takes tamariki on a journey of Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery. Sharing stories of our patients journey to recovery, seeing our resident ambassadors and hearing what threats their wild counterparts are facing. In the Powerco Education Centre students will see a variety of foods our native birds eat and explore the interactive activities. 

All visits to the Centre are held between 9am and 12:30pm and will be closed to general visitors during this time.  

Early Childhood Education (ECE) 

Time: 45 minutes to one hour 

Maximum group size: 15 children, 25 total including adults 

Primary Schools 

Time: One to two hours 

Maximum group size: 25 children, 30 total including adults 

Maximum of 100 students in one day. 

Secondary Schools 

Time: One to two hours 

Maximum group size: 25 students, 30 total including adults 

Maximum of 50 students in one day. 

Available as a presentation in school. 

Big Picture Visit 

Learn About, In and For the environment.  

The Big Picture Visits at Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery are designed to be carried out over one term. The programme has three parts, a visit to you, facilitated by our educator setting the scene for what Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery does and how we fit within wider conservation in New Zealand; a visit to our Centre, covering our core programme; and a final follow up visit to your school, where students will have the opportunity to share their learning or tangible outcomes with our educator. This visit type is primarily focused towards primary schools. 

Expected outline for the programme  

Session One: Facilitated by our educator in school, setting the scene for what Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery does and how we fit within wider conservation in New Zealand. 

Time: 1 to 1 and a half hours in length. Suitable for one to two classes at a time. 

Focusing on education ABOUT the environment – developing knowledge and skills 

Session Two: Visit Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery – includes exploring and learning about the Centre, and any additional specific focuses to the programme outlined above.

Time: 1 to 2 hours  

Maximum group size: 25 children, 30 total including adults 

Focusing on education IN the environment – connecting to nature and place 

Session Three: In School, Sharing Outcomes, Taking Action! 

Timing suitable indicated by teacher 

Focusing on education FOR the environment – taking action to restore, grow and protect 

An opportunity to see what students have created or written. Opportunities for questions and answers both ways. Options to help or encourage outcomes listed below. 

• Pest and predator trapping and monitoring programmes
• Tree planting/restoration
• Growing native seeds to trees!
• Personal changes
• Fundraising through Givealittle
• Making enrichment for some native species.

Shhhh…..  Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery is like a hospital ward – please let your students know that the animals need a quiet environment to recover in. School visits will vary depending on the size of groups. It is important to let the educator know how many students you plan to bring, the age of the students and the outcomes you wish to achieve. A plan can then be made for your visit. Groups will be greeted outside the centre and briefed on biosecurity. For the safety of the animals, eating is not allowed inside the centre and bags must be zipped at all times.

Once inside groups will be taken on a tour of the centre, learning about the journeys of the birds the tamariki see and the ones that may be hiding. Once in the Powerco Education Centre, an introduction and discussion is led by our educator, students are encouraged to ask questions and share knowledge. Groups will then be free to explore the Powerco Education Centre. In some cases a Massey University wildlife technician will be able to meet with the group. This is an opportunity for students to see part of the care the animals receive everyday while talking with the technician about the current patients.

The surrounding Victoria Esplanade offers a variety of great lunch spots including the large children’s playground.

By combining learning via the website, with an onsite visit to Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery our education programme tells the story of each rehabilitating animal’s journey. Every animal at Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery is an “ambassador” for their species and the perils facing them in the wild. The Powerco Education Centre supports this learning journey with displays, interactive and tangible learning opportunities.

You can download all you need to know here.