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Forest School provides children with opportunities to learn, grow and develop through hands-on experiences in nature. At Ōhinemahuta Nature School, children build confidence, resilience and independence as they take on new challenges, learn practical skills and make decisions for themselves in a safe, supportive environment. Through climbing, crafting, exploring and outdoor play, children develop physical skills, coordination and self-regulation, while storytelling, group activities and working alongside others strengthen communication, creativity and social skills. Our hands-on approach also brings literacy, numeracy and science to life, helping children develop curiosity, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Māori waiata, stories and traditional crafts provide opportunities to connect with and appreciate Māori culture, while survival skills, homesteading and sustainable practices encourage responsibility and respect for the natural world. Most importantly, we want children to have fun, experience a sense of belonging, and develop a lifelong connection with nature and learning.

New families start with a regular Tuesday or Thursday session. Tell us your preferred day; the team confirms arrangements and availability.

Casual attendance isn’t available for our regular Tuesday and Thursday sessions. If you’re away for part of a term, or a full-term enrolment isn’t possible for your family, please get in touch to discuss a more flexible option.

Ōhinemahuta Nature School is designed as a drop-off programme. If your child needs a parent or teacher aide to attend, or you’d like to discuss a Discovery Day, please get in touch.

Submit an expression of interest through the website. The team checks availability, offers a place or a waitlist position, and confirms the next steps.

We hope to offer Falia Funds soon, providing full, half and reduced-fee sponsorships. In the meantime, please get in touch to discuss support or payment by instalments.

Our days begin and end with a hui, with Discovery Basics (hands-on learning), free play and exploration, outdoor adventures, kai, and an afternoon Specialist Workshop woven throughout the day. The flow is intentionally flexible, allowing children to follow their interests and make the most of the natural environment.

There are a few parts of the day where participation is required for safety, wellbeing and to help everyone get the most from their experience. These include the morning and afternoon hui, Discovery Basics, the beginning of the Specialist Workshop, and a 15-minute dedicated time for everyone to eat and drink. Outside of these times, children have plenty of freedom to play, explore, create and follow their own interests. Specialist Workshops vary in length depending on the activity, and children are free to return to self-directed play once the workshop is underway.

At Ōhinemahuta Nature School, there are no tests or grades. Our approach focuses on hands-on, experiential learning that builds practical skills, confidence and a genuine love of learning. We believe learning is most meaningful when children are motivated by curiosity rather than external rewards or pressure. Our programme also incorporates te ao Māori through waiata, pūrākau, traditional practices and a connection to whenua, helping children develop a deeper understanding of Aotearoa and their place within it.

Ōhinemahuta Nature School is designed to complement your child’s regular schooling, providing a different kind of learning through hands-on experiences, nature-based education and practical skills. Under Section 53 of the Education and Training Act 2020, a school Board may authorise students to undertake courses of education off-site. When this approval is given, the student is considered to be attending school during their time at the programme. This is in line with the provision for off-site education within the New Zealand education framework. We deeply respect the role of each individual school and Board in making decisions for their learners. As the school retains responsibility for students attending approved off-site education, we are more than happy to provide documentation such as RAMS, health and safety policies, liability insurance details, our Child Protection Policy, Complaints Procedure and an MOU to support their decision-making process. There are currently some differences in how schools and regions throughout the country are approaching off-site education, and we are continuing to work collaboratively with local schools as this develops. If your school has any questions about Ōhinemahuta Nature School, we are very happy to communicate directly with them and provide any information they need.

We believe the learning that happens at Ōhinemahuta Nature School complements, rather than replaces, traditional classroom learning. Our hands-on, outdoor approach gives children opportunities to develop practical skills, confidence, independence, creativity and problem-solving in a different learning environment. Time spent outdoors, away from the usual classroom routine, also gives children space to reset, explore their interests and build connections with others. Our mixed-age groups provide opportunities for children to learn from one another, take on leadership roles and develop skills that support them both in and beyond the classroom.

We maintain a low adult-to-child ratio of 1:7, often closer to 1:5.

Our times are adjusted throughout the year to best utilise the daylight hours. Terms 1 & 4: 10:30 am – 4 pm Terms 2 & 3: 10 am – 3:30 pm

Yes! We introduced a community shuttle service in 2025 to help make Ōhinemahuta Nature School more accessible for families travelling from Blenheim. Our vans are generously provided by Tautoko Trust and, occasionally, Blenheim Toyota. All our drivers are police-vetted and hold a clean driver licence, whether they are a teacher or parent volunteer. An additional transport fee applies to help cover fuel and driver costs.

Shuttle stops, times & prices

Ōhinemahuta Nature School is a 100% outdoor programme. We have basic shelters for some protection, but children must come prepared for all weather conditions. They will likely get wet and muddy, so suitable clothing is essential. Remember, “There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” In extreme situations like flooding or road closures, the school may need to cancel a session. You will be notified the night before or, in rare cases, the morning of. In such instances, you will receive a refund for the missed day. We anticipate this happening less than once every two years.

What your child needs to bring varies with the season. We’ll let you know what to pack at the beginning of each term. As a general guide, children should bring suitable layers, a raincoat, gumboots, a spare change of clothes, a sunhat, a towel, a drink bottle, snacks and a hearty lunch. In Terms 2 and 3, children also bring an ingredient to contribute to our soup.

We have a beautiful, custom built composting toilet, complete with a hand washing system attached. At the beginning of each term, all new and returning students are guided on how to use it properly.

Either through this website or directly via email: ohinemahuta.ns@gmail.com We aim to reply within 1-3 days.

Our sessions run during the school term, following a seasonal schedule: the last 8 weeks of Term 1, the first 6 weeks of Term 2, the last 6 weeks of Term 3, and the first 8 weeks of Term 4. This gives us a ~10-week winter break and allows our programme to work with the seasons, weather and available daylight.