Where Learning Comes to Life
Learning Rooted in Place and Planet
Based at Mangaroa Farms, Earth School Aotearoa offers a bold alternative to conventional schooling -one that honours childhood, nurtures wellbeing, and reconnects learning with life. The future is uncertain - but our tamariki don’t need more worksheets or more screen time. They need the confidence to imagine new worlds, ask bold questions, solve real problems, and care for Earth and each other. At Earth School Aotearoa, children learn with their hands in the soil, their minds in the wild, and their hearts grounded in community.
Nature-connected
The natural world is our classroom, our teacher, and our home. Learning is rooted in connection with the whenua - through seasons, weather, and wildness. We grow ecological literacy alongside a deep sense of responsibility to care for Papatūānuku and all living systems.
Whānau-engaged
Earth School is not just for tamariki - it’s a space where whānau grow too. Parents, caregivers, siblings, and grandparents are invited into the learning ecosystem through shared experiences, community rhythms, and reciprocal relationships. We believe learning is strongest when it is embedded in community.
Child-led
We follow the spark of each tamaiti. Earth School is designed to nurture curiosity, self-direction, and wonder - allowing children to explore, experiment, and lead their own learning journeys. Kaiako support rather than steer, trusting in the innate intelligence of the child.
Culturally-grounded
We honour te ao Māori and global cultural wisdom as vital foundations for learning. Tamariki explore diverse cultures through a decolonised lens - learning to see with compassion, question with humility, and listen for wisdom across worldviews.
We’re now taking expressions of interest for our Spring program.