Ruakuri Caves & Bush Scenic Reserve field trip

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.

View the resource

• Ruakuri Caves & Bush Scenic Reserve cover (PDF, 516K)
• Page 2-12 (PDF, 982K)
• Page 13-21 (PDF, 824K)
• Page 22-37 (PDF, 535K)
• Page 38-46 (PDF, 312K)

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

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