Kiwi Forever is a week-long leadership in conservation programme for high school students based at Tirorangi Marae, Ōhakune. This experience immerses students in Mātauranga Māori and hands on conservation activities
During this experience, students live on the marae with representatives from Ngāti Rangi who guide them on a local learning journey. Students gain knowledge about Mātauranga Māori, experience a range of hands-on conservation activities and develop their leadership communication skills in teams.They are encouraged to experience environmental sustainability in a holistic way, guided by manaakitanga (generosity), aroha (love) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship for the environment).
Kiwi Forever is sponsored by Ngāti Rangi, Genesis, Project Tongariro, and the Department of Conservation.
“Kiwi Forever is more than conservation, it is an important journey into the cultural experience of living in a marae environment, a journey into the past, understanding the present and balancing options for a sustainable future”. (Keith Woods 2006).
The main objectives of the programme are to engage with young people in a way that greats a lifelong commitment to conservation by:
Encouraging them to become conservation leader leaders now and in the future;
Sharing what conservation and the environment mean to Māori which many differ from their perspective;
Teaching of the holistic nature of the conservation and the protection of species through a hands-on experience;
Exposing them an understanding of the work of DOC staff and others involved in conservation;
Highlighting the vulnerability of many of New Zealand's native plants and animals and specifically the kiwi and the whio;
Asking them how they will take responsibility for the environment and to take some practical steps towards making a difference now and throughout their lives.
