Coasts

There is no location in New Zealand that is more than 130 km from the sea. It has a very long coastline with estimates ranging from 15,000 to 18,000 km. The exact length is obscured by the countless twists and turns around inlets, headlands, spits, bays, harbours, fiords, sounds and estuaries. Although the North Island is smaller than the South Island, its coastline is longer.

The coastline is always changing. Cliffs, constantly lashed by wind and rain, may be hollowed into caves, arches and pillars, then topple into the sea. Sandy shores may lose their sand to the waves, or the waves may bring even more sand to them. With global warming already raising sea levels, understanding how coastlines are shaped and the value of dunes in providing protection from storm surges (not to mention tsunamis) is increasingly important.

Choice of activities

• Hike up to vantage point like Mt Maunganui for an overview of coastal landforms and patterns of land use.
• Discuss coastal processes and the dynamic nature of coastlines.
• Discuss natural hazards associated with the coastline, human impacts, management of erosion and the views of different stake holders.
• Examine and discuss the value of soft and hard engineering structures
• Collect data coastal profile, vegetation transects, velocity of longshore drift, comparing different stretches of coastline.
• Contribute to Coast Care's dune rehabilitation project by planting or weeding.

New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement

Geography

• AS91244 2.5 Conduct geographic research with guidance
• AS91430 3.5 Conduct geographic research with consultation.

Earth Science

• AS90952 1.13 Demonstrate understanding of the formation of surface features in New Zealand

Living World

• AS91155 2.3 Demonstrate understanding of adaptation of plants or animals to their way of life.

FAQ

Q1. Why do teachers choose to tour with Learning Journeys?

Using an outside provider like Learning Journeys allows you to avoid stress and save time to focus on the core demands of teaching and have more time with your family and friends.

• Trips are well tried and tested and our local knowledge, New Zealand-wide, is extensive. • We’ll facilitate your trip as well as planning, recce-ing AND booking it (including transport, food and accommodation). Have as much or as little input as you want.
• Our facilitators are secondary geography or science teachers with years of classroom as well as EOTC experience.
• Trips are curriculum linked and can include NCEA assessment tasks.
• RAMS forms, parents letters, gear lists and worksheets developed and provided for you.
• We’re Qualmarked (Tourism New Zealand has checked us out as a safe, professional, company) and Dept. of Conservation approved.

Q2. Does it cost more for Learning Journeys to organise and run my school's science and geography trips?

Yes it does cost a little more per student. However, you need to factor in the time you'll save by using Learning Journeys. You will also save the cost of relief for staff who would otherwise have come from your school, since Learning Journeys will provide one or more facilitators who will contribute to staff-student ratios.

Q3. What about risk management?

Safety is always paramount in our trip planning and delivery. We are acutely aware of the responsibility of being entrusted with other people’s children. We will provide you with RAMS forms for all activities included in your programme.

Our Health and Safety Plan deals with every aspect of our operations and training. Hazard identification is carried out for every new activity and a RAMS (Risk Analysis and Management System) form is prepared. This process has been audited both by a Department of Conservation approved Safety Auditor and as part of our Qualmark® accreditation

Our teacher-facilitators are trained in safe practice and all have First Aid qualifications. The suppliers we use are fully qualified and experienced in their specialist areas and where available we choose to work with Qualmarked® operators. Their sound safety records are further guaranteed by the Qualmark®, accreditation process.
Qualmark® is New Zealand tourism's official mark of quality. All accommodation and tourism businesses carrying the Qualmark® have been independently assessed as professional and trustworthy, so you can book and buy with confidence.

Q4. Who are your facilitators?

Our trips are managed and facilitated by qualified science or social science secondary teachers with classroom experience as well as many years’ experience in the field.

Q5. How long have you been running field trips for New Zealand secondary students?

Since 2001. Our oldest client did 12 consecutive yearly 3 day trips to Goat Island and Tiritiri Matangi Island. Most other schools repeat trips year after year.