Eye on Nature School Days

Monday 15 - Thursday 18 March, Monday 22 - Thursday 25 March 2027 | Auckland Botanic Gardens

Eye on Nature School Days is the Beautification Trust's annual environmental education event for South and East Auckland primary schools.

This free event empowers tamariki to become environmental heroes of the future, with hands-on activities and engaging lessons to connect with te taiao and learn how to be more sustainable in everyday life.

Over the course of eight days, 32 schools will get stuck in with interactive lessons and hands-on learning experiences delivered by our expert programme partners.

Eye on Nature 2027 Theme: Native Taonga - Backyard Treasures of South Auckland

Native Taonga – Backyard Treasures of South Auckland is about discovering and valuing the plants and animals that make our local environment special. From the trees and birds in our parks to the insects and other small creatures in our gardens, native taonga are all around us. They each have a place in the natural world and play a part in keeping te taiao healthy.

During Eye on Nature School Days, tamariki will learn to recognise local species, and understand why they are worth protecting. By building a connection with these natural treasures, students will see how they can help care for te taiao beyond their backyards.

We will explore questions such as:

What native taonga (plants and animals) live in our neighbourhood, and where can we find them?
What makes these taonga special to Aotearoa and to South Auckland?
How do native taonga depend on each other to survive?
Why are native taonga important for a healthy environment?
What can we do at school, at home or in our community to help protect our native taonga?

When we take time to notice and understand the nature around us, we can grow our connection to it and help protect the treasures in our own backyard.

Apply for your school

Eye on Nature School Days are for South and East Auckland primary schools. The Beautification Trust invites Year 5–6 classes from South and East Auckland, for a one-day unique learning experience, free of charge.

Places are limited, so we can't guarantee one to every school who applies. Schools in a Local Board area that funds Eye on Nature are more likely to be selected. These are Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Howick, Manurewa, Papakura. Schools in other areas are still welcome to apply.

To help ensure Eye on Nature School Days is an engaging and valuable experience for all tamariki, we've introduced a few participation requirements for 2027. Please check these with your team before submitting your Expression of Interest.

Year levels: Participation is open to Year 5 and Year 6 students only.
Adult supervision: Schools must provide at least one approved adult for every six students (1:6). This can include teachers, school staff or approved adult helpers. Older students cannot count towards this ratio.
Student numbers: Schools must bring a minimum of 25 and maximum of 30 students. Please ensure enough students attend.
Student feedback: All participating students must complete pre-event and post-event evaluation forms.
Teacher feedback: At least one participating teacher must complete a post-event evaluation form.

Please make sure you have read the participation requirements and confirmed your school can meet them before applying.

Expression of Interest are now open for the 2027 programme and will close Friday January 22 2027. We will be in touch with the selected schools shortly after to confirm placements. If you have any questions, please contact us.