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Students take a break before installing a water tank at the centre.
Work starts on building cabins for the Hoteo Wero.
Mahurangi College has partnered with local farmers in the Hoteo Valley to begin construction of an outdoor education centre that will provide an experience unlike any other offered by a New Zealand high school.
Principal Tony Giles says the experience, known as Hoteo Wero (Hoteo Challenge), will be an “off-the-grid” retreat for students, designed to build resilience and connection with the land. The programme will include pest trapping and bush regeneration.
Mr Giles says unlike many camps that are about activities such as abseiling and mountain biking, this experience is more about appreciation of the land, individual reflection and dealing with adversity.
The experience will likely include a solo overnight exercise and students will learn to construct items from available resources, such as creating backpacks from flax that can then be used for day tramps.
The experience will last around 10 days. Mr Giles says research indicates it takes at least this long to fully disconnect from technology and social media.
“We believe the entire experience will be transformative for students, developing confidence, life skills and self-esteem, alongside the sorts of school-days memories that students treasure,” he says.
Senior students from Mahurangi College’s Construction Academy have begun erecting cabins at the site. The centre is based at Dill Farm, but facilities will also be located on neighbouring farms.
In addition to cabins that sleep six, the centre will also feature basic cooking and bathroom facilities, composting toilets and communal spaces.
About 24 students will be able to stay at the centre at one time and visits are expected to start next year.
The experience will be pitched at Year 10 students and will be the highlight of a year-long “rite of passage” programme that will help students transition into adulthood.
“It will be a good old-fashioned Kiwi experience where students are taken out of their comfort zones,” Mr Giles says.
Funding for the centre has come from Board of Trustee surpluses and local businesses and will be sufficient to employ qualified staff.
