Enhancing hauora through connection to te taiao

BLAKE Explorers

In the upcoming summer months, between Term 4 2023 and Term 1 2024, we look forward to running 12 BLAKE Explorers programmes in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

BLAKE Explorers is a three-day immersive experience for intermediate aged students. We invite a school that has experienced NZ-VR to select 20 students and 2 teachers to participate, with the aim of providing a unique and enriching experience in Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural environment.

At the core of BLAKE Explorers is our aim to ‘enhance hauora through connection to te taiao’.

Hauora is a Māori philosophy of health which encompasses the total health and wellbeing of an individual. We want to enhance the wellbeing of the students through connecting them to the natural environment.

We offer a range of activities such as snorkelling, surfing, and hiking nature trails while instilling a deeper understanding of kaitiakitanga. BLAKE Explorers connects these students to the whenua, it gives them a sense of belonging – their tūrangawaewae.

“As well as the educational benefits, we have noticed a change in our students at school; they have stronger friendships, their confidence has sky-rocketed, and they have become leaders in their own right. Weeks after BLAKE Explorers they are still talking about the amazing time they had and all the incredible things they did.” – Teacher from Sylvia Park School

Please note: BLAKE Explorers currently runs on an invitation basis. We want to provide this opportunity for students that would not otherwise get these experiences, as well as reaching out to schools that have experienced the NZ-VR programme within the last year.

For more information email Alice Ward-Allen at [email protected] or phone (09) 307 8875.