COMMUNITY

Join a group. Find an expert. Inspire rangatahi.

Minecart at Karangahake Gorge near Waihi | Adobe Stock

Local & Regional Groups

Volunteer at a local conservation group, search for a guest speaker,

plan a field trip, connect science learning beyond the classroom.

The groups below have been collated by the Bay Science team and contain links to their respective external websites or social media pages. Please inform us if any links are broken or need updating.

Logos are copyrighted to their respective organisations/owners. This list does not indicate an endorsement or sponsorship of any kind but has been compiled to help kura find local organisations to reach out to. Usual processes undertaken at school such as RAMS and vetting apply.

The Bay Science team is in the process of determining the range of groups below who would like to be shown on this index for 2025.

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	Name	Description
	ARRC Wildlife Trust	A charitable trust which provides wildlife rehabilitation services
	Aongatete Forest Project	Our volunteers and supporters are focused on restoring 500 hectares of native forest in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park, between Tauranga and Katikati.
	Apanui Salt Marsh Care group	Keeping the Whakatane river bank clean
	BOP EducationTrust	Scholarship opportunities for students
	BOPRC Coast Care	Coast Care is a coastal restoration programme, run in close partnership with local communities, local authorities and schools that aims to restore and protect the sand dunes along our Bay of Plenty beaches.
	BOPRC Teacher Resources	Bay of Plenty Regional Council has a range of resources available for teachers in our region.
	Bay Conservation Alliance	Bay Conservation Alliance’s role is to support and grow the capability and impact of our communities and partners, to restore and preserve natural ecosystems and indigenous biodiversity.
	Bike Whakatane Trust	Our members have been behind the development of Whakatane Bike Park, Bikes In Schools projects and events that promote safe cycling.
	Bird Rescue Whakatane Trust	We care for hundreds of sick and injured birds every year.
	Birds-A-Plenty Festival	Celebrating the sunshine and diverse, spectacular trails of Whakatāne
	CREW Whakatane	ommunity Resources Whakatane
	Cafe Scientifique	Guest speakers from the STEM sector
	Comvita	Premium Mānuka Honey and honey products
	Eastbay REAP	Eastbay REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme) is an education-focused community and social development organisation established in 1981 by the Ministry of Education.
	Eastern Bay of Plenty Beekeepers Club	A network of local beekeepers.
	Environment Te Puke	Working towards the protection and enhancement of Te Puke's natural environment for the benefit of this and future generations.
	Forest & Bird Eastern Bay of Plenty	Defending nature across Aotearoa New Zealand
	Forest & Bird: Rotorua Branch	Defending nature across Aotearoa New Zealand
	Forest and Bird: Tauranga	Defending nature across Aotearoa New Zealand
	Forest and Bird: Te Puke	Defending nature across Aotearoa New Zealand
	Friends of I’Anson Bush Reserve	A biodiversity and conservation group
	Friends of the Blade	Join the volunteer predator control group, and help restore the Kaimai Mamaku.
	Fulfilled	An environmental movement encouraging people to clean our environment, whilst out being active.
	Garden to Table	A school programme to grow and prepare fresh and affordable kai
	Good Neighbour Trust	Practical support and opportunities, and most importantly human connection, to vulnerable people in the Bay of Plenty.
	Grow On Katikati	Food for all, from Seed to Table.
	H.E.L.P (Waihi) Inc (Plant Nursery)	Members of HELP Waihi have a common interest in our environment
	Halo Whakatane	We are a community led conservation project in the Eastern Bay of Plenty aiming to create an unfenced sanctuary in the heart of Whakatāne.
	Hands on Tauranga	Borrow collections that can be touched, worn and explored by students in Tauranga classrooms.
	House of Science	Borrow a science kit for your classroom
	Johnson’s Reserve Care Group	Our Care group has been working in the reserve for 20+ years.
	Kaharoa Kōkakō Trust	Ensuring kōkako thrive in the Kaharoa Forest
	Katikati Taiao	Together we are working to protect our environment from the mountains to the sea, and to connect our community. Community resilience and inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do.
	Kawerau Urban Food Forest	The Kawerau Urban Food Forest (KUFF) project was launched in Febuary 2017 to create an avenue for edcuation and access to healthy options.
	Keep Mauao Clean	A group of people striving to see our beautiful mount preserved, actively collecting rubbish and bringing awareness to the problem
	Kotukutuku Gully Restoration	Maketu volunteers help maintain this beautiful walkway through Maketu village. This group organises and manages the care and quality of gully life.
	Kuaka NZ Ltd	Learning about environmental and earth science
	Kutarere & Roimata Care Group	A biodiversity and conservation group
	Landcare Okareka	A group of locals who were interested in assisting Rotorua District Council to look after the recently opened walkway came together with this task in mind.
	Let’s Learn Community Education BOP	Community education for all ages
	Maketu Ongatoro Wetland Society	Maketū Ōngātoro Wetland Society (MOWS) is a community conservation group which looks to conserve, protect and restore the native biodiversity of the lower Kaituna River, Maketū Estuary, Waihi Estuary and the surrounding area.
	Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Trust	A co-governed, purpose driven, charitable trust. We harness the power of collective action and shared knowledge to restore the mauri \| essence of the Kaimai Mamaku.
	Manawahe Ecological Trust	Managing and Enhancing the Biodiversity of the Manawahe Ecological Corridor.
	Matua Estuary Care Group	The Care group operates under resource consent which allows it to remove mature and juvenile mangroves within approved areas located around the estuary.
	NIWA Science and Technology Fair	Science and Technology Fairs are well established, successful and high profile events, which take place annually throughout New Zealand at classroom, regional and national levels.
	Nature Library NZ	Connecting with and learning in nature is one of the best things we can do to support children’s growth
	New Zealand Tree Crops Association Inc.	The New Zealand Tree Crops Association (NZTCA) grew out of a philosophy of seeking and sharing information about the many and varied types of trees we might grow in New Zealand to produce a useful crop, be it for humankind or animals.
	Ngapeke Permaculture	Guided tours of numerous māra kai, perennial forest gardens, no-till annual food gardens, syntropic agriculture areas, newly planted native areas, wetland planted areas, and much more.
	Nukuhou Saltmarsh Care group	Catchment management involves ensuring that land use does not adversely affect the harbour and that the biodiversity and natural qualities are protected.
	Omokoroa Environmental Managers Inc	A charitable society umbrella for of a number of environmental and conservation groups
	Para Kore ki Ruatahuna	We educate and advocate from a Māori worldview for zero carbon, zero waste whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori Māori.
	Pendergrast Memorial Heritage Park Trust	This beautiful spot with its panoramic views was bequeathed by the late Jim Pendergrast for all to enjoy. His vision was for people to be able to enjoy the outdoors and preserve the outdoors for future generations
	Permablitz Tauranga	Creating edible gardens in the community
	Plant and Food Research	Finding smarter, greener options today to secure the world we want to live in tomorrow.
	Plenty Permaculture	Online learning for gardening and permaculture
	Pou Whakaaro	Support for people with disabilities and mental health issues
	Predator Free Bay of Plenty	A biodiversity and backyard conservation group
	Pride Whakatane	Waste and graffiti reduction, public beautification and planting
	Produce Swapping Group Tauranga	A produce swapping group
	Project Parore	A biodiversity and conservation group.
	Road Science	Road Science advances the pavements industry through innovative products and services that are developed and supported by engineering science
	Rotoehu Ecological Trust	A biodiversity and conservation group
	Rotorua Museum	The Rotorua museum!
	STEAM-ED	Holiday programmes to inspire rangatahi
	STEM Wana Trust	Programmes to inspire young scientists
	Save the Kiwi	Learn how to save the kiwi!
	Scion	A Crown research institute that specialises in research, science and technology development for the forestry, wood product, wood-derived materials, and other biomaterial sectors.
	Sullivan Lake Care Group	A community group dedicated to preserving Sullivan Lake
	Sustainability Options	Free sustainability living advice
	Sustainable Bay of Plenty Charitable Trust	Shaping sustainable outcomes through awareness, accountability and action.
	TCC School Sustainability and Resilience Funds	Apply for funding for a school or community project
	Tauranga Carbon Reduction Group	An informal group to reduce Green-house-gas emissions for positive outcomes for our environment and community.
	Tauranga City Education Programmes	A range of resources and programmes to inspire and help people take better care of our planet.
	Tauranga Gem and Mineral Club	A mineral museum featuring a comprehensive display of New Zealand and overseas rocks and minerals.
	Tauranga Seed Library	A community seed library
	Tauranga Stem Festival	An epic one day festival
	Te Arawa Climate Change Working Group, Rotorua	A climate change working group
	Te Kōmiro o Te Utuhina, Rotorua	Restoring the Te Utuhina awa
	Te Puke Community Garden	The Te Puke Community Garden
	Te Puna Quarry Park	The Te Puna Quarry Park
	Te Whakakaha Conservation Trust	Fighting for the critically endangered Otawa Hochstetter’s frog
	The Mount Community Gardens	The Mount Maunganui Community Gardens
	Trees for Survival	A school programme to raise and plant native trees
	UoW Adams Centre for High Performance	A cutting edge, world-class facility for the nation’s best athletes.
	UoW Coastal Marine Field Station	The Coastal Marine Field Station is involved in teaching, environmental monitoring and coastal and marine research and discovery.
	Wai-Kōkopu	Wai Kōkopu Inc is a community & farmer-led catchment group helping farmers be fit for the future
	Waiewe Stream Restoration Group	Clearing all the weeds and pest trees in the Waiewe Reserve
	Waihi Beach Environment Society Inc	An incorporated society with the aims of improving our local environment and preventing the further encroachment of rocks onto our beach.
	Western Bay Wildlife Trust	A community-based conservation group that protects native seabird and shorebird species and their habitats in the Western Bay of Plenty Region.
	Whakatane Community Gardens	The Whakatane Community Gardens
	Whakatane Kiwi Trust	A community-led, registered charity promoting the protection of kiwi and other indigenous species in the Whakatāne area.
	Wisewater Organic Farm Ltd	Working with nature and using a regenerative agriculture business model
	Zespri	The world's largest grower of kiwifruit
	Ōmataroa Eco Tours	We invite you to discover the true essence of this taonga (treasure) as we share our captivating stories, immersive experiences, and conservation aspirations that reflect our role as kaitiaki (guardians).
	Ōtamakaokao Kaitiaki Trust (Awatapu Lagoon)	Cleaning up Awatapu and improving the water quality
	Ōtanewainuku Kiwi Trust	A community-based conservation trust that was established in 2002 by Te Puke Forest and Bird and local community following the growing concern of the declining North Island brown kiwi in the pristine Ōtanewainuku Forest.

"When young people are confronted with real-life events, opportunities, and challenges, or issues of concern and interest to them, they know how and when to draw on their science knowledge and skills, or their mātauranga Maōri knowledge and skills, to act in the world. They are prepared to act responsibly and ethically on these issues with an awareness of the interconnectedness of things and events in both the natural and social world."

Hipkins, R., Tolbert, S., Cowie, B., & Waiti, P. (2022). Enduring competencies for designing science learning pathways. NZCER. https://doi.org/10.18296/rep.0025