
Native Wildlife in Aotearoa
Levels 1 and 2

NZC Achievement Objectives

Te Mātauranga o Aotearoa
The Biological Environment: Learn about extinct types of animals that once lived on Earth.
Te Taiao: Ka ako mō ngā kīrehe korehāhā, nō nehe rā anō i ora ai.

Learning Intentions

Integration Ideas
Learning Intentions are from the Ministry of Education
Integration ideas are from the Ministry of Education
Level 2
Understand that animals and plants were different in the past and have evolved over time.
Mathematics and Statistics (Number and Algebra): Develop a number sense through exploring numbers of wings, feet, segments, antennae.
Mathematics and Statistics (Statistics): Interpret the difference between the smallest and largest values, and explain the meaning of clusters or holes in a data display of animals in their local environment.

Related Topics
Resources

How many kinds of animals can you think of? Join Matthew as he investigates the unique features of different creatures around the planet and how they can be organised into a group called the animal kingdom!
Level
1-2
Type
Video
The Animal Kingdom
Everyday Science NZ
How many kinds of animals can you think of? Join Matthew as he investigates the unique features of different creatures around the planet and how they can be organised into a group called the animal kingdom!

This unit includes a series of activities which focus on the shells made from animals in the Phylum Mollusca (e.g. snails, mussels, limpets, chitons). Link to teacher guide: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago062811.pdf
Level
1-4
Type
Poster
All About Shells Poster
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
This unit includes a series of activities which focus on the shells made from animals in the Phylum Mollusca (e.g. snails, mussels, limpets, chitons). Link to teacher guide: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago062811.pdf

This unit includes a series of activities which focus on the shells made from animals in the Phylum Mollusca (e.g. snails, mussels, limpets, chitons). Link to poster: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago371801.pdf
Level
1-4
Type
Unit
All About Shells Teacher Guide
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
This unit includes a series of activities which focus on the shells made from animals in the Phylum Mollusca (e.g. snails, mussels, limpets, chitons). Link to poster: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago371801.pdf

He puka ārahi ngāwari mō ngā kararehe me ngā tipu e kitea noatia ki ngā ākau pōhatuhatu o Aotearoa ki te Raki.
Level
1-4
Type
Te Reo Māori
Aotearoa Ki Te Raki Puka Ārahi Mō Te Ākau Pōhatuhatu
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
He puka ārahi ngāwari mō ngā kararehe me ngā tipu e kitea noatia ki ngā ākau pōhatuhatu o Aotearoa ki te Raki.

He puka ārahi ngāwari mō ngā kararehe me ngā tipu e kitea noatia ki ngā tapātai one o Aotearoa ki te Raki.
Level
1-4
Type
Te Reo Māori
Aotearoa Ki Te Raki: Puka Ārahi mō te Tapātai One
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
He puka ārahi ngāwari mō ngā kararehe me ngā tipu e kitea noatia ki ngā tapātai one o Aotearoa ki te Raki.

In this week’s lesson about Aotearoa and Conservation you will be learning some Te Reo Māori: Aotearoa’s indigenous language, learning more about our country and diving into conservation topics such as pest identification and tracking.
Level
1-4
Type
Unit
Aotearoa and Conservation
Kids Greening Taupō
In this week’s lesson about Aotearoa and Conservation you will be learning some Te Reo Māori: Aotearoa’s indigenous language, learning more about our country and diving into conservation topics such as pest identification and tracking.

Can you cross off a line, a diagonal, or even the whole board, by finding each of these NZ tree species?
Level
1-4
Type
Outdoor Activity
Bark Bingo!
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
Can you cross off a line, a diagonal, or even the whole board, by finding each of these NZ tree species?

Our migratory (travelling) native fishes need clear paths so they can get where they need to go, upstream or downstream. However, more and more, there are things that get in their way or stop them travelling altogether. Can you get through all the human-made barriers blocking safe travel in this river?
Level
1-4
Type
Game
Barricade
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
Our migratory (travelling) native fishes need clear paths so they can get where they need to go, upstream or downstream. However, more and more, there are things that get in their way or stop them travelling altogether. Can you get through all the human-made barriers blocking safe travel in this river?

Two Pukeko chicks, Beaky and Bluey, get the chance to star in a TV commercial about energy efficiency. Their mother Ko is trained to turn off a light switch, but this is just the start. She explains the benefits of renewable energy. She also has many tips for saving energy, including energy efficient light bulbs.
Level
1
Type
Book
Beaky & Bluey See the Light
Genesis School-Gen
Two Pukeko chicks, Beaky and Bluey, get the chance to star in a TV commercial about energy efficiency. Their mother Ko is trained to turn off a light switch, but this is just the start. She explains the benefits of renewable energy. She also has many tips for saving energy, including energy efficient light bulbs.

We can dream up new ways to bring nature into our games, too. Try these co-operative, nature-themed versions of three games you might know well.
Level
1-4
Type
Game
Better Together
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
We can dream up new ways to bring nature into our games, too. Try these co-operative, nature-themed versions of three games you might know well.

Join Bill Nye as he explores environments and ecosystems in a search of biodiversity.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJw1KXAjYS4
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Biodiversity
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Join Bill Nye as he explores environments and ecosystems in a search of biodiversity.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJw1KXAjYS4

We are at real risk of losing the flora (plants) and fauna (animals) we hold most dear - plus many, many more that we just don't hear about...How much do you know about our current situation?
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Biodiversity under threat!
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
We are at real risk of losing the flora (plants) and fauna (animals) we hold most dear - plus many, many more that we just don't hear about...How much do you know about our current situation?

Climate disruption (or climate change) is causing huge problems for our penguins, and the effects are set to get even worse over time. What changes are your whānau (family) or kura (school/centre) making to help?
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Build your own Penguin Palace
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
Climate disruption (or climate change) is causing huge problems for our penguins, and the effects are set to get even worse over time. What changes are your whānau (family) or kura (school/centre) making to help?

New Zealand is an island nation surrounded by expansive oceans. It is fitting that we have a rich and diverse coastal fauna.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity Book
Canterbury's Marine & Coastal Animals
Environment Canterbury
New Zealand is an island nation surrounded by expansive oceans. It is fitting that we have a rich and diverse coastal fauna.

To review the past, gather information from the present and therefore develop a potential future vision for a local coastal wetland environment
Level
1-4
Type
Lesson Plan
Canterbury's Spectacular Coastal Wetlands
Environment Canterbury
To review the past, gather information from the present and therefore develop a potential future vision for a local coastal wetland environment

We want to get people thinking about our native white species as loveable fish, rather than food. Come up with a clever/funny caption to go with this picture to help.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Caption this picture…
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
We want to get people thinking about our native white species as loveable fish, rather than food. Come up with a clever/funny caption to go with this picture to help.

Did you know that you can make some unique New Zealand animals from cardboard? Reuse some old boxes at your house and give this activity a go!
Level
1-4
Type
Art Activity
Cardboard Native Animals!
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
Did you know that you can make some unique New Zealand animals from cardboard? Reuse some old boxes at your house and give this activity a go!

Chip & Chirpy are two fantails who begin to fly up to the sun. The sun says it’s too far and suggests they learn a song instead. Chip & Chirpy learn facts about the sun and then a tree comes to life and tells them about solar energy. Two children walk by with a little dog and they all sing the song together.
Level
1
Type
Book
Chip & Chirpy Meet the Sun
Genesis School-Gen
Chip & Chirpy are two fantails who begin to fly up to the sun. The sun says it’s too far and suggests they learn a song instead. Chip & Chirpy learn facts about the sun and then a tree comes to life and tells them about solar energy. Two children walk by with a little dog and they all sing the song together.