Ruakuri Caves & Bush Scenic Reserve field trip

Introduction

Field Trip | Levels 3-8: Five minutes from Waitomo Caves, Ruakuri offers a limestone landscape, picturesque native forest and an opportunity to study a threatened species - the long-tailed bat.

Ruakuri is located 2 km from the world-renowned Waitomo glowworm cave and 17 km from the King Country town of Te Kuiti.

The reserve contains a fascinating combination of natural features and cultural history. The 114 ha of native bush and limestone provide a variety of recreational and educational opportunities, all just a few minutes easy walk from the carpark.

Ruakuri is ideal for a day trip. Students can explore the limestone landscape and native forest, and study a threatened species - the long-tailed bat.

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About the resource

This kit provides site location maps, pre- and post-visit activities for your outdoor education experience and includes safety considerations and background reading for teachers. Curriculum links are provided and a series of teacher’s study sheets covering a range of topics pertinent to the area.

Contents

  • Locations of teacher resource kits
  • Location of Ruakuri Caves and Bush Scenic Reserve
  • Using this resource
  • Organisation of outdoor safety
  • Ruakuri Caves and Bush Scenic Reserve facilities and organisation
  • Ruakuri Caves and Bush Scenic Reserve conservation management
  • Teachers' background reading
  • Statement about curriculum links and the kit
  • 7 teacher study sheets
  • Other references and resources

Learning areas

Primary:

  • Science
  • Social sciences
  • Health and PE

Secondary:

  • Science
  • Social sciences

Learning outcomes 

Primary:

  • Students will research and explore the systems responsible for the formation of the caves at Ruakuri.
  • Students will identify different native plants and explain the traditional uses of each plant.

Secondary:

  • Students will gain knowledge on food chains, Adaptations, Maori medicines, pest damage to native bush
  • Students will explore tourism effects on the environment
  • Students will investigate the creation of limestone caves

Links to curriculum 

Primary:

  • Science: Living world
  • Planet earth and beyond: Earth systems
  • Nature of sciences: Investigating in science
  • Health & PE: Personal health and physical development
  • Social sciences: Place and environment

Secondary:

  • Science: Living world: Ecology
  • Planet earth
  • Social sciences: Place and environment (Māori)

Topics

  • Forest and green spaces
  • Native animals

Publication information

ISBN 0-478-22049-9

Contact

Kirikiriroa / Hamilton Office
Phone:   +64 7 858 1000
Fax:   +64 4 471 1117
Email:   hamilton@doc.govt.nz
Address:   Level 4
73 Rostrevor Street
Hamilton 3204
Postal Address:   Private Bag 3072
Hamilton 3240

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