WORKSHOP | Join us for Hands On Ecology, a 10-part workshop series designed for community restoration groups and individuals who are interested in learning about restoration ecology through a te ao Māori lens. It’s ideal for those wanting to gain practical skills for restoring both private and public spaces, while deepening their understanding of ecological systems and cultural perspectives.

Facilitated by Te Taiao Practitioner Charmaine Bailie, each 3-hour workshop takes place in local reserves, exploring different but interconnected aspects of ecology. Grounded in mātauranga Māori, the series highlights the layered connections within te taiao and the valuable contributions of local restoration efforts.

Sessions may include up to 2 hours of walking. Please dress appropriately and bring water and snacks.

Workshops can be attended individually or as a full series, progressively building your ecological knowledge and confidence in applying restoration practices.

Please note that each session is at a different location. Booking each session is essential! 

Workshop Topics & Dates

1. Waewae Tapu – Ōpuawānanga | Eskdale Reserve - 18 Sep 2026

• Cultural footprint of spaces, awareness of living spaces and how we connect to them
• Kauri habitat protection
• Identifying restoration opportunities in urban reserves
• Using iNaturalist for data recording and plant ID
• Birds and plant identification
• Decision-making in restoration practices

2. Whenua & Oneone – Kaipātiki ki Tai | Witheford Reserve - 25 Sep 2026

• Examining and working with soils in the Kaipātiki area
• Soil structure and slips
• Soil-supporting plants
• Micro and macro soil diversity

3. Maramataka & Tohutaka - 2 Oct 2026

• Building maramataka through tohutaka
• Phenology stages in flowering
• Native plants vs. weeds
• Pest signs and monitoring
• Rat and possum control

4. Taonga Tuku Iho – Upper Eskdale to Windy Ridge - 9 Oct 2026

• Whenua and the significance of Kaipātiki e.g. Kauri podzols
• Site identification - recognising what defines the changes in ecology types across a defined site
• Threatened ecosystems and taonga species
• Kauri whānau
• Leaf litter and ground dwellers

5. Regenerative Weed Control – Alexandra Stream - 16 Oct 2026

• Identification of environmental weeds  
• Methodologies for control 
• Windrow weeds and weed methodology identification  
• Biosecurity - prevention in public spaces and reserves 

6. Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai Part 1 – Wai Manawa Walk | Le Roys Bush - 30 Oct 2026

• Riparian forest structures
• Streamside plant selection
• Climbers, epiphytes and ferns
• Plant identification

7. Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai Part 2 – Kauri Point Centennial Path - 6 Nov 2026

• Ridgeline to sea - how we connect through whakapapa to each of those spaces 
• Looking at elements to design your restoration including hau, wai and  whenua 
• Site specific species & endangered ecologies 

8. Puna & Source – Papa ki Awataha - 13 Nov 2026

• Mana Whenua led regenerative practice
• Puna - finding the source significance of Puna, Waiora, Wai Māori and how to cause and prevent Waimate
• Direct seeding leaf litter 
• Riparian habitats  
• Daylighting streams - learnings to date
• Water testing - tohu and why we do it
• Stream ecology - riparian habitats 

9. Takutai - Waipareira Stream and Clearwater Cove - 20 Nov 2026 

• Awa - repo - takutai - connections
• Regeneration of streams in urban spaces
• Repo - Small wetlands
• Coastal restoration
• Manawa

10. Ngahere & Interconnected Biodiversity - 11 Dec 2026

• Markers of success 
• Shared learnings  
• Plant identification 
• Speak to the whenua, describing the site & site analysis  
• Wrap up, shared kai 

Thanks to our partners for making this workshop series possible!