Many of the 42 youngsters from rural Northland schools who visited Auckland Zoo last week were from farming families so they were familiar with cows, sheep, pigs and birds frequently seen in the countryside.
But few of the 26 Year 6 pupils from the Kawakawa Primary School and 18 from Ohaeawai Primary School - or the teachers and parents who accompanied them - had seen live kiwi, moreporks (ruru), or tuatara and skinks.
So all enjoyed starting with an exploration of the zoo's Te Wao Nui precinct, home to more than 50 New Zealand native species in habitats from the forest and high country to wetlands and sanctuary islands where they saw everything from tuatara, kaka, kukupa, kea, kiwi, skinks and geckos and learned all about what makes those taonga unique.
Ohaeawai teacher Diane Henderson said the students had been talking about the trip for weeks.
"It's rare for them to get an opportunity like this, and they've loved seeing wildlife like kiwi, tuatara and kea. We have kiwi in our area, so our students are aware of the need to preserve and look after them, but this is the first time they've actually seen a real kiwi. It really brings all their learning to life."
