At Kakapo Creek, children grow through nature. It sparks inquiry and curiosity. It also brings contentment and rest.
Enrol your child in our once-a-week excursion to the Northern Campus. They spend a full day at our exclusive 1.2-hectare farm forest in Silverdale, learning and growing outdoors.
We believe in hands-on learning. Children immerse in Farm School and:
explore our one-acre bush, care for animals — chickens, Swiss Valais Blacknose and English Babydoll sheep — and observe frogs and fish, grow vegetables in our glasshouse and walled garden, pick organic fruit from our orchard.
This approach teaches about nature and builds a deep appreciation for it.
Children roam open spaces, explore native bush, and roll down grassy hills. Farm School runs one day a week as an optional extra to fees. It complements our regular exploration walks to the local playground and Mairangi Bay beach.
To learn more about the farm school movement around the world, click here.
Nature builds curiosity, confidence and calm. Daily contact with the outdoors supports social, physical and cognitive development. At Kakapo Creek we pair rich outdoor experiences with our Attachment-Rich practice, Enriched/Extraordinary Learning Environments, and Ngā Hau e Whā philosophy so every child feels known, safe and inspired.
Ages 3+ and nappy/toilet trained
Enrolled at Kakapo Creek for 3+ days and 20+ hours per week
Farm School is an optional add-on to standard fees
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Children spend the day:
Roaming our native bush and rolling down grassy hills
Caring for animals (chickens, Swiss Valais Blacknose and English Babydoll sheep), and observing frogs and fish
Growing vegetables in our glasshouse and walled garden
Picking seasonal fruit from the orchard
Building huts, learning outdoor skills, and celebrating special days like Matariki under close supervision
At Kakapo Creek, children learn most — and remember most — outdoors. Nature is our second-best teacher. It offers experiences you can’t create indoors.
We designed and care for an environment rich in nature. Children explore our mini bush every day. Our gardens are living classrooms that teach Aotearoa NZ flora and fauna. Expect your child to show you how to make fire from māhoe or how to eat kawakawa. We build huts in the bush. On special days like Matariki, we light fires under close supervision. Your child’s safety comes first.
Children also need rest. The outdoors restores and calms. It gives a real break from busy days. Nature invites learning through watching, listening, and touch. Research shows daily contact with nature boosts social, emotional, academic, and physical health. That should reassure whānau about their child’s wellbeing at Kakapo Creek.
Nature is abundant at our Mairangi Bay location, too! Our centre has tall trees, ferns, and bush. A creek runs adjacent to it with eels, fish, and ducks. For full immersion, our Silverdale Nature School offers a whole day in the farm forest.
Farm School spaces are limited. If your child is 3+ and toilet trained, talk to us about adding a weekly Farm School day to your enrolment.
Our Northern Campus Farm-Forest school has so much to offer children. The photos above and below are taken to show parents the range of learning and fun that is available during our weekly excursions.
*Note: To enjoy our nature school opportunities, children must be enrolled for three or more days and over 20 hours per week.
Awesome childhood memories, resilient character development, wonder, delight and excitement are all created in nature.
Research is increasingly pointing towards the essential learning that takes place when we ‘get dirty’ and engage in more ‘risky’ play outdoors. Of course, we take safety seriously, while allowing children the freedom to feel the mud between their toes.
Children learn best through play. But not just any type of play. The play must be emergent, creative, natural and supported. At Kakapo Creek we create opportunities for your child’s inner explorer to roam free.
Children today spend more time inside and on screens. Daily time in nature improves social, emotional, academic, and physical health. Nature also calms. It engages all five senses—look, listen, touch, smell, and sometimes taste (hello, apple tree!).
At Kakapo Creek, children stay close to nature—inside and out. Every room opens to natural views and materials. Nature acts like learning medicine. Bugs, trees, flowers, leaves, and our creek life—eels, fish, and ducks—spark curiosity and discovery.
Nature matters so much that we visit our Northern Campus in Silverdale every week. Children play in native kauri and tōtara forest. They care for farm animals in their natural setting. They grow and harvest food from organic gardens and an orchard.
Nature also restores the brain. One study found a 15-minute forest walk lowered cortisol (stress) by 12%. Rested children feel less anxious, focus better, and bring positive energy. Children need nature for healthy growth and development.
The trend we’re reversing
In one generation, outdoor time halved.
Since the 1970s, childhood obesity tripled.
Over the same period, Ritalin use to treat ADHD increased more than fortyfold.
