Environmental education — learning that builds understanding of, connection to, and stewardship of the natural world — is essential to New Zealand's environmental future. From Enviroschools in primary education to conservation volunteering programmes to community nature connections, a diverse ecosystem of funders supports environmental education and learning at all ages and stages.
New Zealand's environmental education landscape draws on distinctive traditions:
Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview)
Mātauranga Māori — traditional Māori knowledge — includes rich understanding of ecological systems, seasonal patterns, biodiversity, and the relationships between human communities and natural environments. Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) is both a value and a practice. Environmental education that draws on Māori knowledge and values is increasingly recognised as offering distinctive insights.
Enviroschools movement
Enviroschools is New Zealand's most widespread school-based environmental education programme — a whole-school approach to sustainability that engages students, staff, and communities in making their school and community more sustainable. Approximately 1,000 schools (about 40%) participate.
Outdoor education
New Zealand's outdoors provides extraordinary opportunities for environmental learning — from urban parks to wilderness. Outdoor education — tramping, camping, marine education, conservation volunteering — builds both environmental understanding and lifelong wellbeing.
Conservation volunteering
DoC and community conservation groups provide opportunities for practical conservation work — planting, pest control, monitoring — that deepens environmental understanding through action.
Enviroschools Foundation
The Enviroschools Foundation supports the national Enviroschools programme — with funding from central government (Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Education) and regional councils. Schools participate through their regional Enviroschools provider.
Department of Conservation (DoC)
DoC funds:
- Conservation education in schools (Kiwi Guardians, School Programmes)
- Community conservation education
- Ranger and educator programmes
Ministry for the Environment
MfE funds some environmental education initiatives — particularly those advancing waste reduction, climate understanding, and biodiversity.
Ministry of Education
The Ministry funds:
- Enviroschools as part of sustainability curriculum
- EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom) subsidies
- Some school sustainability projects
Regional councils
Regional councils are major funders of environmental education:
- School outreach programmes (water quality, biosecurity, native biodiversity)
- Community education on regional environmental issues (freshwater, pest management)
- Environmental education grants for community groups and schools
Community foundations
Community foundations fund environmental education as part of community wellbeing:
- Nature connection programmes for urban communities
- School garden and food growing projects
- Community conservation education
Gaming trusts
Some gaming trusts fund environmental education:
- Equipment for outdoor education
- School conservation projects
- Community environmental programmes
Forest & Bird
Forest & Bird has educational programmes and some grant activity for conservation education.
The Morgan Foundation
The Morgan Foundation funds environmental education and conservation — particularly projects supporting rangatahi/youth environmental leadership.
School programmes
Outdoor and experiential education
Community environmental education
Youth environmental leadership
Cultural environmental education
Strong environmental education grant applications:
Tahua's grants management platform supports environmental funders investing in environmental education — with school and community programme tracking, environmental outcome measurement, multi-funder coordination, and the tools that help conservation and environmental funders build coherent education investment portfolios.