Nature Connect

Today marked a wonderful start to Term 1 with our Tuesday Explorers!
Everyone was so excited to be back, and it was heartwarming to see their strong sense of belonging as they settled into different activities and play spaces.
Our learning focus today was exploring what an ecosystem is. When I asked, “What is an ecosystem?” one of our tamariki confidently answered, “The environment.” Cue the warm fuzzies! 🥰 We then put our knowledge to the test by identifying what is biotic and abiotic, and the group did an amazing job.
Of course, no Nature Connect day would be complete without s’mores and a lively game of hide and seek to finish things off, along with a very special birthday celebration. This term is shaping up to be an exciting one, with plenty of planting projects and hands on learning experiences ahead. We can’t wait to see our tamariki continue to grow, explore, and connect with nature.
See you all next week for another nourishing day in nature!

Welcome, Lady, to Horse Connect!
Lady is the little chestnut at the back with Scott, and on her arrival she certainly attracted plenty of attention from Nelly, Sky, Duchess and George the goat!
Lady is in foal and due to welcome her baby in November/December. She is currently unstarted, so once her foal has arrived and she’s ready, she’ll become a future project for Sonia.
She has come to us in poor condition, so right now our focus is on surrounding her with love, care, good nutrition and the medication she needs to help her thrive.
She is such a sweet, gentle girl, and we’re absolutely thrilled to have her join the Horse Connect family. We can’t wait to share her journey with you.
Watch this space!

And that’s a wrap on our Winter Nature Connect Holiday Program! What an amazing and fulfilling week we’ve shared together in nature. It was wonderful to have Jolly Jonathan back with us today, and a huge thank you to all of our incredible leaders for the care, enthusiasm, and camaraderie they brought throughout the week. It truly takes a team!
There weren’t many photos taken today, a sure sign that everyone was fully immersed in the fun and learning. Our quiz saw some impressive top scores, showing just how much these children have absorbed during their time in our special place.
Our holiday programs right through to January 2027 are now open for bookings via our website, and we can’t wait to welcome you all back for more adventures and opportunities to be nourished by nature.
Thank you to every family for trusting us with your precious children. It is such a privilege to watch them finish the week happily tired, full of confidence, curiosity, and connection after days spent outdoors.

The joy of seeing a friend was the perfect way to begin an incredible day of adventure!
We ventured out onto the farm, taking in the breathtaking views of Cape Kidnappers, Te Mata Peak, the Ruahine Ranges, and glimpses of Napier Hill and Marine Parade. What an amazing experience! At the top, we read the legend of Te Mata o Rongokako – The Sleeping Giant. It was wonderful to watch the children bring the story to life through their imaginations and visualise the giant stretched across the landscape.
The fun continued with hill rolling, where children experienced the excitement, energy, and pure joy of engaging their vestibular sense through movement and play.
Back at base, the day was filled with creativity and exploration. There was theatre fun, dam building (and the excitement of finally letting the water go!), soap making, and art galore.
We are all looking forward to tomorrow’s Market Day. The children are already enthusiastically preparing their shops and services, eager to share their ideas with others.
It was a truly incredible day immersed in nature, exploring it, observing it, and learning from it. A wonderful day was had by all!