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AOEC offers guided outdoor experiences designed to build connection with nature, encourage self-discovery, and foster teamwork. Located in Āwhitu Regional Park, AOEC provides group-based adventures that are well suited to school-aged students.
Programmes are run in natural bush, coastal, and farmland environments, with activities such as bushcraft, shelter building, navigation, reflection, and practical group challenges. The focus is on helping participants learn through doing, supported by experienced facilitators and the natural surroundings.
While schools provide their own accommodation or day-trip logistics, AOEC delivers the activity side — offering flexible, purpose-driven outdoor learning that supports personal growth, environmental awareness, and student wellbeing.
It’s a valuable option for schools looking to enrich their camp or EOTC programme with meaningful, place-based experiences.
Author: Aongatete Outdoor Education Centre
Aongatete Outdoor Education Centre (AOEC) is a leading environment education centre situated on leased Department of Conservation (DOC) land, in the Kaimai Forest Park surrounded by Native Bush. We focus on environmental education, outdoor safety and sustainability and provide environmental education opportunities and activities that foster the development of positive life skills and provide memorable learning opportunities in the NZ bush. Our Objectives To promote and foster, especially among youth, a love and passion of the outdoors, as the children of today are tomorrow’s guardians of what is left of NZ’s precious native bush (in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park and Ranges). To promote and encourage the safe and responsible use of New Zealand’s native forest and the facilities provided. To foster learning, appreciation and conservation of the local history, geology, flora and fauna. To enable children to use all our facilities and to improve their self confidence by encouraging initiative, leadership and team work. To provide opportunities to learn new skills, overcome physical challenges and develop new interests. As a Charitable Organisation, all profits and donations go towards the improvement of facilities, activities and programmes.
