Supporting Educators to take learning outdoors

Good Practice EOTC for NZ Schools

Supporting Educators to take learning outdoors

Good Practice EOTC for NZ Schools

Through good practice guidance, PLD and resources, we empower schools to weave EOTC into their curriculum, enriching education while deepening students' connection to te taiao.

Bring Outdoor Ed Back In

The National EOTC Coordinator Network

Are you the EOTC Coordinator or responsible for EOTC in your school or organisation?
Register now for free to stay up to date with current good practice, guidance, and the latest EOTC news.

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What We Do

Empowering Educators through PLD

Whether you’re new to Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) or looking to deepen your expertise, our workshops are here to support you. Designed to inspire and equip educators, they focus on practical skills, current best practices in risk management, and providing up-to-date knowledge on all things EOTC.

Find a Workshop

School Support for EOTC and Safety Management

We help schools and educators bring outdoor learning to life with expert guidance and practical solutions. Explore our support options to enhance teaching, manage EOTC safely, and create meaningful outdoor experiences.

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Resources to support educators with all things EOTC

Explore our inspiring, evidence-informed resources to support EOTC and outdoor education, from pedagogy to safety management. Find practical guidance to enhance teaching, curriculum development, and best practice in outdoor learning.

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Become a Member

Join a supportive network of educators passionate about outdoor learning help akōnga thrive in their Education Outside the Classroom. EONZ membership gives you access to resources, professional development, and helps strengthen EOTC across Aotearoa.

 

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Advocacy

Save Outdoor Education Campaign and Petition

On 21 October 2025, we presented the Save Outdoor Education petition with 53,500 signatures on the steps of Parliament. Possibly the largest education petition in Aotearoa's history! Thank you to everyone who has supported us thus far. We will continue to advocate in this space. To look back or to find out more about the campaign and petition, click the button below.

Campaign Update Page See the Petition

Phase 1–4 Curriculum Consultation

Changes to the Years 0–10 curriculum were open for consultation in April 2026. This included how Outdoor Education was positioned within Health and Physical Education.

We’re pleased to see Outdoor Education included, and we developed recommended changes to strengthen the proposed knowledge and practice.

Submissions closed in April. You can see our thoughts on the following consultation page.

View Consultation and EONZ Proposed Changes

Latest Te Whakatika

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Te Whakatika Issue 46 Autumn 2026

Context: EOTC general, Te ao Māori, Outdoor education, Junior outdoor education, Senior outdoor education, Inclusion & diversity, Primary/Intermediate setting, Secondary setting, EOTC Safety Management

Type: N/A

Description: The Aotearoa New Zealand Professional Practice Journal for Outdoor and Environmental Learning.
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Resources of the Month

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EOTC Guidelines - Bringing the Curriculum Alive 2025

Context: EOTC general, EOTC Safety Management

Type: Planning tool, Teaching and learning resource

Description: MoE Guidelines supporting schools to deliver safe, inclusive, curriculum-based learning beyond the classroom, linking education with real-world experiences. The guidelines also apply to other activities that schools are associated with such as optional opportunities provided to ākonga such as cultural activities, outdoor and active recreation, and sport.
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Waka Hourua model of kotahitanga, leadership, risk management & social responsibility

Context: Te ao Māori

Type: Teaching and learning resource

Description: A te ao Māori model for teaching kotahitanga, leadership, risk management and social responsibility in te taiao developed by Freya Bullock.
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Exploring the connection between Kaupapa Māori, outdoor play, and children’s wellbeing

Context: Te ao Māori

Type: Wider reading

Description: Read Yasmine Slater's (Ngāti Kahu, Te Arawa) article on kaupapa Māori, outdoor play, and wellbeing.
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Going with the flow: Menstruation and rainbow-inclusive practices in the outdoors

Context: Inclusion & diversity

Type: Wider reading, Teaching and learning resource

Description: This resource is about gender equity in the outdoors. It provides in-depth information gender-diversity and period management.
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Networks of Expertise

We are proud to be part of the Networks of Expertise, a collaborative initiative funded by the Ministry of Education to support and empower teachers through subject-specific support. Our involvement in this network enables us to provide high-quality resources, guidance, and tailored PLD opportunities to help teachers deliver safe, engaging, and effective outdoor education and EOTC experiences across Aotearoa.