Our 2023 TREEmendous Education Programme winners have been chosen!
A huge thank you to all of the schools across the country who applied to win a Treemendous Education Programme to take place in 2023. It was incredible to see your enthusiasm for the environment and it was a difficult task choosing the five winners!
Congratulations to the following five winning schools who will receive a TREEmendous Education Programme in 2023:
- Devonport Primary School, Auckland
- Matangi School, Waikato
- Nelson Intermediate School, Nelson
- St Joseph’s School, Manawatu
- Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mangatuna, East Coast
We look forward to visiting them in 2023 to help them develop their own unique TREEmendous Education Programme and helping to increase overall environmental literacy.
If you missed out this year, don’t worry. Applications to win a TREEmendous Education Programme will open again in January 2023!
Devonport Primary School

Devonport Primary School in Auckland has a small area at their school that they call ‘the forest’ and over the last two years they have established a delightful forest classroom – Akomanga Ngahere. The school promotes student engagement through outdoor education – learning in the forest, learning about the forest and learning from the forest and want to capitalise on their Akomanga Ngahere as a natural teaching resource.
Matangi School
Waikato based primary Matangi School is passionate about students exploring nature through their existing native area. Matangi students are aware of the important part the land plays when it comes to people’s wellbeing. They plan to create an open learning shelter area in their “Forest” environment where students can have lessons as well as a place to explore, enjoy creative play and have FUN. The school would also like to learn more about seed propagation and grow their own native plants to help restore the local Tamahere gully.

Nelson Intermediate School

Nelson Intermediate School is passionate about creating a positive mauri ora (sense of wellbeing) for all students, providing programmes that reflect the values, aspirations and needs of their students. The school would like to establish two beehives so students can use this living system to support learning and connect with the natural environment while also developing science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) skills.
St Joseph’s School
With a vision to see their students learning through social justice teachings including Stewardship of the land, St Joseph’s School is focussed on learning more about the importance of sustainability and how to better care for their natural environment. They would like to develop an outdoor area for spiritual nourishment, where students can also learn, nurture and care for our fragile ecosystem.

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Mangatuna

Nestled in the heart of Te Tairawhiti on the beautiful East Coast, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mangatuna school would like to further develop their connections to the local taiao (environment). They have established ‘Whenua Wenerei’ – Landmarks Wednesday – a day the school dedicate to the environment. The school is eager to continue expanding their students’ knowledge and implement an environmental programme for the students to make the most of their natural environment and ensure that it is around for future generations to enjoy.
2023
July
July
Devonport School
Devonport Primary School in Auckland is undertaking a range of conservation projects to support an increase of tree wētā populations in the school grounds.
READ MOREJune
June
St Joseph’s School
Ruud “The Bugman” Kleinpaste and Shark Scientist Dr Riley Elliott visited St Joseph’s School to talk to students and teachers about the importance of looking after our planet and our biodiversity.
READ MOREMay
May
Nelson Intermediate School
Ruud “The Bugman” Kleinpaste and Shark Scientist Dr Riley Elliott visited Nelson Intermediate School to talk to students and teachers about the importance of sustainability and how they can help to look after the environment.
READ MORE2022
September
September
Glendowie School
Auckland’s Glendowie School is undertaking a series of hands-on outdoor education projects to provide students with a better understanding of their local environment.
READ MOREJuly
July
Rhode Street School
Rhode Street School in Hamilton is embarking on a student-led environmental project to create a medicinal Māori garden.
READ MOREJuly
Southbridge School
With a vision to encourage students to become kaitiakitanga (guardians) of their natural surroundings, Southbridge School in Canterbury has planted a rongoā (medicinal) Māori garden.
READ MOREMay
May
Strath Taieri School
The critically endangered Giant Otago Skink is both Strath Taieri School’s mascot and school symbol which is why they are passionate about protecting it and developing a safe, natural habitat for them.
READ MOREMay
Riverdale School
Riverdale School is hoping to increase biodiversity in the area by starting a range of new projects including creating insect hotels to protect weta from predators.
READ MORE2021
July
July
Whanganui Intermediate
Whanganui Intermediate School is dedicated to making learning a real and relatable experience for its students.
READ MOREJune
June
Waitara East School
Providing a hands-on learning approach about the natural environment is something that Waitara East School values for its students.
READ MOREJune
Karetu School
Situated on a bush block, students at Karetu School can explore the local natural environment.
READ MOREJune
Wainui Beach School
Gisborne based primary Wainui Beach School is looking to make the most of its Rongoa garden – an area of native trees on the school’s grounds.
READ MOREMay
May
Riverina School
With a passion for environmental education, Riverina School in Pakuranga provides its students with knowledge…
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