At the centre of the Wakatipu Basin's diverse landscape lies Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand's longest lake. The diversity in this area is reflected in the different habitats which are addressed in this resource.
The activities in this package can be used at number of different locations around the Wakatipu; they can be used in isolation or together for a longer trip. Suggestions have been made on the pull-out map, but if you know a local gem please use it or get in touch with the local DOC office for some more ideas.
Many of the activities are relevant to other Otago settings and can be used outside the district.
Learning outcomes
Students can explore the Wakatipu Basin environment, learn about the different habitats (alpine, beech forest, dryland woodland and braided river systems) and find out more about the plant and animal life of the area.
Wakatipu Basin super site resource
Download the Wakatipu Basin super site resource (PDF, 10,272K)
This resource includes the following chapters:
Section 1 – Introduction
- Introduction, including how to use this resource
- Education for the environment
- Contact and feedback
- Curriculum breakdown
Section 2 – Teacher notes and activities
- Introduction
- Pre and on-site activities for the following themes:
- Pre-site preparation
- Above the bushline – the alpine environment
- The Beech Forest
- Kōwhai shrub-lands
- Water – braided river systems
- Wakatipu Birds
- Predators and competitors
Section 3 – Resources and additional information
- Resources
- Evaluation form
- Glossary
Curriculum links
Science
Level 1 and 2
Planet Earth and beyond
Earth systems: Explore and describe natural features and resources
Living world
Life processes: Recognise that all living things have certain requirements so they can stay alive
Ecology: Recognise that living things are
suited to their particular habitat
Evolution:
- Recognise that there are lots of different living things in the world and that they can be grouped in different ways.
- Explain how we know that some living things from the past are now extinct.
Level 3 and 4
Planet Earth and beyond
Earth systems: Appreciate that water, air, rocks and soil, and life forms make up our planet and recognise that these are also earth's resources
Ecology: Explain how living things are suited to their particular habitat and how they respond to environmental changes, both natural and humaninduced.
Living world
Life processes: Recognise that there are life processes common to all living things and that these occur in different ways.
Evolution:
- Begin to group plants, animals, and other living things into sciencebased classifications.
- Explore how the groups of living things we have in the world have changed over long periods of time and appreciate that some living things in New Zealand are quite different from living things in other areas of the world.
Social science
Level 2
People and place influence
Understand how places influence people and people influence places.
Cultural practices
Understand how cultural practices reflect and express people's customs, traditions and values.
Level 3
People using places
Understand how people view and use places differently.
Resource decisions
Understand how people make decisions about access to and use of resources.
Recording the past
Understand how people remember and record the past in different ways.
Level 4
Cultural heritage
Understand how people pass on and sustain culture and heritage.
Community challenges
Understand how people participate individually and collectively in response to community challenges.
Contact
If you have any questions about this resource, contact:
| Whakatipu-wai-Māori / Queenstown Office | |
| Phone: | +64 3 442 7933 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | queenstown@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
Cavells Building 1 Arthurs Point Road Queenstown 9371 |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 811 Queenstown 9348 |
| Full office details | |