Inspiring Kids to Love New Zealand’s Native Plants

New Zealand’s native plant life is ancient and unique, having evolved in isolation for millions of years. Here are some ideas for inspiring the next generation of Kiwis to care for and treasure these living wonders.

Get Out and About

There’s nothing like becoming a parent to gain a new perspective on nature. Once an avid hiker, I rediscovered local walks with my children, exploring places closer to home. Walking at a toddler’s pace forced me to notice the little things—patterns on tree bark, nectar-sipping birds, and tiny spiders hanging from leaves.

Take your kids to explore New Zealand’s diverse plant habitats, from wetlands to forests. The Department of Conservation (DOC) offers a brochure, Time in the Wild with Children, full of helpful tips. Visit www.doc.govt.nz for ideas.

Special Plant Places to Visit

1. Waipoua Forest, Northland
   Visit Tane Mahuta, the largest living kauri tree, via a five-minute wheelchair- and buggy-friendly walk.
2. Karamea, South Island
   The Nikau Walk at the Heaphy Track offers a 20- or 40-minute loop through lush subtropical palms.
3. Peel Forest, Canterbury
   Explore fern diversity with family-friendly walks like the 30-minute Big Tree Walk or the 1½-hour Fern Walk.
4. Tiritiri Matangi Island
   Witness one of the world’s most successful conservation projects, with guided walks to learn about restored habitats.
5. Crimson Trails
   See stunning pohutukawa and rata in bloom. Check out Project Crimson for trails across New Zealand.

Get Learning

Turn walks into fun educational adventures:

• Scavenger Hunts: Challenge kids to find leaves of different shapes or match fallen leaves to trees.
• Adopt a Tree: Observe how a tree near your home changes across seasons.
• Tree Friends: Blindfold your child, let them “meet” a tree through touch, and see if they can identify it without the blindfold.

For resources, Andrew Crowe’s Lifesize Guide to Native Trees is an excellent companion.

Get Creative

Nature provides endless inspiration for crafts:

• Bark Rubbing: Use crayons or pencils to capture bark textures.
• Leaf Rubbing: Place a leaf under paper and rub crayons over it.
• Spatter Prints: Arrange leaves on paper, spatter paint with a toothbrush, and lift leaves to reveal beautiful silhouettes.

Get Growing

Gardening with kids is a fantastic way to connect them with nature.

Under-6s:

• Fill pots with compost and water plants using child-sized tools.
• Create a window box at the front door for daily care.

Older Kids:

• Give them their own garden patch to plant and nurture.
• Start with easy-to-grow native plants like cabbage tree, five-finger, or flax.

Flax brings added joy—its flowers attract tui and bellbirds, and dried stalks can be used for play or crafts like weaving.

Get Active

Find local volunteer planting days or join school garden projects. Many reserves rely on families for planting and maintenance.

Consider clubs like the Kiwi Conservation Club or museum discovery centres, which offer learning resources, field trips, and eco-activities.

Raising Eco-Warriors

Inspiring kids to love New Zealand’s native plants helps them connect with the environment and appreciate its beauty. Whether exploring forests, crafting with leaves, or growing their own garden, every small step fosters a lifelong respect for nature.

Let’s nurture a love for our living treasures—because the future of our unique flora depends on it!

Sarah Mankelow is a conservation awareness officer for the Department of Conservation in Christchurch, and mother of two nature-loving children.