WAITOMO - A UNIQUE CONTEXT FOR LEARNING

Waitomo is a small village an hour's drive south of Hamilton. Underlying the Waitomo farmland and bush are over fifty caves; many are used for tourism, sport and scientific study. The caves, with their constant temperature and darkness, provide a home for diverse flora and fauna. 

A conservation ethic has a firm base in the Waitomo community with the Department of Conservation working closely with a local Landcare group. Opportunities are available for students to take part in monitoring waterways and native flora and fauna.

Three hundred inhabitants form a close-knit community. The area and caves attract over 400,000 tourists each year. An increasing number of "wild" caves have been "opened" for adventure trips. Pressure from tourist numbers not only impacts on the natural resources but has important implications for the lifestyle and economy of locals.

For over 50 years Waitomo has attracted recreational cavers. The wild caves are still being explored and new passages discovered. The technology of caving, e.g. SRT, cave surveying and cave rescue are available as part of the learning environment.

Waitomo, in the heart of the King Country, has a rich Māori cultural heritage. 30% of the population is Māori (Ngati Maniapoto) and several marae serve the tangata whenua. These marae are available to schools for accommodation. Experiences on the marae and local pa sites and working with Museum taonga, provide students with a unique insight into tikanga māori, both past and present.