School Programmes

Explore Your Coast Marine Education Programme

Provided by: Explore Your Coast
Programme cost: Starting from NZD 900 per school (Wellington)
Duration: 90–120 minutes
Suitable for: Primary and Secondary Schools

We can offer tailored programmes to suite community groups and organisations interested in marine conservation and restoration or to suit corporate events.

Programme Overview

Explore Your Coast delivers a hands-on marine education programme that connects students with Wellington’s coastal marine life through film, discussion, and interactive learning experiences. Sessions are tailored to year levels and curriculum needs, fostering curiosity, scientific understanding, and kaitiakitanga.

The programme is suitable for schools across New Zealand and introduces students to rocky reef ecosystems, the impacts of human and climate-driven change, and the actions needed to protect and restore these environments.

Download learning outcomes for Years 3–8 here (pdf).

School Programme Components

PART ONE – Learning and Exploration (approx. 60 min)

Introduction to the team and key words and concepts.
Film screening: multi-award winning short documentary Seaweed, A Love Story (full school assembly or multiple classes).
Interactive Q&A: With the film’s lead and Explore Your Coast founder, Dr Nicole Miller.
Learning activities:
Primary schools: Hands-on, role-play learning about Wellington’s rocky reefs and how to protect them.
Secondary schools: Guided discussion on selected themes such as:
- - Marine conservation and ecosystem-based management
  - The role of seaweed and kelp forests in biodiversity and climate action
  - Kaitiakitanga and mana whenua leadership in marine stewardship
  - Seaweed and blue carbon, marine technology and monitoring, marine spatial planning, and the role of film and art in ocean storytelling.
Learning resources: English and Te Reo Māori resources (including books for primary schools, pending availability) for the school library and teachers.

PART TWO – Immersive Experience (30 min)

Virtual dive in Taputeranga Marine Reserve:
A 360° VR experience for up to 60 students, offering a realistic view of Wellington’s underwater world and access for those who may not snorkel or dive.
Alternative option: Combined virtual dive and topic “deep dive” session tailored to curriculum focus for a smaller group of students.

Expected Outcomes

Builds understanding of Wellington’s coastal ecosystems and marine biodiversity.
Inspires student curiosity, environmental awareness, and kaitiakitanga.
Provides teachers with resources for curriculum integration.
Strengthens local connections to Taputeranga Marine Reserve and ocean stewardship more widely.

Teacher Feedback

“The kids absolutely loved it! It fits in well with our local curriculum learning around kaitiakitanga and looking after Taputeranga Marine Reserve.”

“It was a great way for our tamariki to learn that things in our natural environment can be good and bad and we need a balance.”

Feedback from Parents

“Our child loved the school event yesterday and made us come to the community event today to experience the 360° VR dive tour!”

About the Documentary

Watch the trailer on YouTube here and read more about the documentary, including film festival awards here.
In the underwater world of Wellington, New Zealand, Dr. Nicole Miller dedicates her life to documenting the coastal ecosystems she holds dear. With over 800 hours spent underwater, Nicole embarks on her most ambitious mission yet: SCUBA diving 70 kilometers of Wellington’s coastline to assess the health of seaweed and giant kelp forests. Armed with her camera, Nicole brings these hidden underwater realms to life through photography, art, and immersive virtual reality experiences, while revealing the stark reality of kelp forest decline caused by overfishing, pollution and climate change. This short film chronicles Nicole’s monumental effort to inspire action, showcasing the urgent need to monitor and protect these vital ecosystems—essential to life both beneath and above the waves.

Are you looking for primary school age kina resources? Find out more about Octopus School resources here (link).

Supported by

A big thank you to Helen Rodenburg for sponsoring schools in the Wellington region.

The BRC Charitable Trust
Brooklyn, Wellington