About LEARNZ

For over two decades, LEARNZ has evolved into a comprehensive virtual field trip programme for the education sector.

LEARNZ began life in 1995 as an Antarctic focused education programme harnessing the great stories that came from New Zealand Antarctic science research. LEARNZ at that time was an acronym for Linking Education and Antarctic Research in New Zealand. During the period 1995 - 1998, LEARNZ developed the concept of the virtual field trip; taking students on learning adventures to the Dry Valleys, the Antarctic coast and the Ross Sea in the depths of an Antarctic winter on-board a research ice breaker.

The focal person in each of these expeditions was the LEARNZ Teacher: meeting researchers in their workplace, interpreting and meeting objectives in science, social studies and technology curricula.

A group of seven penguins on snow-covered ground with icy mountains in the background.

Snapshots from our story so far

  • A smiling woman with reddish-brown hair wearing a yellow jacket outdoors.

    1995 - Antarctica

    The beginning

    Antarctica LEARNZ began life in 1995 as an Antarctic focused education programme harnessing the great stories that came from New Zealand Antarctic science research.

  • A desert landscape with a pyramid-shaped tent and stars in the night sky.

    1996 - Antarctic Science

    Dry Valleys

    During the period 1995 to 1998, LEARNZ developed the concept of the virtual field trip; students participating in their own learning adventure.

  • 1997 - Penguin biology

    The Coast

    LEARNZ expanded its virtual field trips to include penguin reproductive biology at Cape Royds and drilling at Cape Roberts.

  • A large icebreaker ship with a red hull and yellow superstructure navigating through icy waters.

    1998 - The Ross Sea

    Antarctica in winter

    LEARNZ explored the Ross Sea in the depths of an Antarctic winter onboard a research icebreaker.

  • A man smiling with a bird perched on his shoulder.

    1999 - Fiordland

    New Zealand

    The 1999 Fiordland field trip on pests, birds and bats in Fiordland was the start of the modern LEARNZ programme based on New Zealand stories.

  • A snowy, icy landscape with glaciers and a frozen body of water under a clear blue sky.

    2000 - World heritage

    Tongariro National Park

    LEARNZ explored the natural and cultural landscapes and Karioi Rāhui, an ecological restoration project with Ngāti Rangi iwi

  • Scenic coastal landscape with a beach, ocean, rolling green hills, and cloudy sky.

    2001 - Island odyssey

    Great Barrier Island

    LEARNZ visited both offshore and mainland islands used for the conservation of native species.

  • Group of children gathered around a piano, with one girl sitting at the keyboard, in a classroom or indoor setting.

    2002 - Year of mountains

    Nepal, Aoraki Mount Cook

    LEARNZ joined an expedition to a remote mountain village in the Kathmandu Valley, climbed to Mueller Hut and kayaked on a glacial lake.

  • Two workers wearing safety gear handling equipment, with a dark background.

    2003 - Petroleum and minerals

    West Coast

    From 2003 to 2012 LEARNZ went underground/aboveground to explore coal and gold mining industries and to Taranaki to focus on petroleum facilities.

  • A snake with the head of a guinea pig camouflaged among green plants.

    2004 - Kākāpō

    Whenua Hou/Codfish Island

    Along with trips about takahē, whio, kiwi, shorebirds and birds of prey LEARNZ visited this special kākāpō sanctuary - on six occasions - to follow the plight of this adorable but seriously threatened ancient parrot.

  • Hydroelectric dam releasing water through turbines

    2005 - Energy

    Clutha River

    During the period 2004 to 2009, LEARNZ visited electricity generation sites including hydro, geothermal, wind and solar energy and explored the working of the national grid.

  • A man standing outdoors in a snowy environment near industrial equipment under a blue sky.

    2006 - Antarctic drilling

    Ross Ice Shelf

    LEARNZ returned to Antarctica 2006 to 2009 then again in 2012 each time exploring the nature of Antarctic science.

  • Rocky shoreline with waves crashing against the rocks during daytime.

    2007 - Marine reserves

    Goat Island

    Over six years LEARNZ visited marine reserves and special conservation areas such as Waituna Lagoon, dune lakes and Ō Tū Wharekai.

  • Close-up of a cow's face with a yellow ear tag marked '144.'

    2007 - Dairy farming

    Waikato

    During the period 2007 to 2011, LEARNZ visited eight sheep/beef and dairy farms in the Waikato and Canterbury and looked at milk processing.

  • Group of children practicing ballet in a dance studio, some jumping and stretching.

    2008 - Ballet and music

    Wellington, Christchurch

    LEARNZ followed RNZB performers as they prepared for opening night of Carmen and Don Quixote, and got to know musicians as they built up to CSO concerts.

  • A cracked and damaged asphalt street with visible underlying gravel, trees, and houses in the background.

    2009 - Geohazards

    Aotearoa-wide

    During the period 2009 to 2013+ LEARNZ explored with EQC, the risks of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury.

  • A person looking at a large map or mural on a wall.

    2010 - Māori rock art

    South Canterbury

    LEARNZ discovered how the first people in New Zealand depicted extinct birds and traced their story as they recorded their contact with the first Europeans.

  • A whale breaching the surface of the ocean with part of its body and tail in the air.

    2011 - Whales

    Cook Strait

    From 2010 to 2013, LEARNZ joined the DOC whale survey team on Arapawa Island who use science to better understand the fate of the mighty humpback.

  • A man and a woman sitting outdoors on grass, smiling and talking. The man is holding a walkie-talkie, and the woman has a backpack. It appears to be a sunny day.

    2012 - Expeditions

    Raoul Island

    LEARNZ was onboard the HMNZS Canterbury with 30 secondary students on the Young Blake Expedition to the Kermadecs.

  • A person operating a yellow surveying instrument outdoors near water and trees.

    2013 - Geospatial

    Christchurch rebuild

    LEARNZ explored the importance of geospatial data and tools in the rebuild of Christchurch.

  • Industrial facility or factory interior with metal stairs, railings, and bright lighting.

    2014 - Waterview connection

    Auckland

    LEARNZ followed Alice the tunnel borer during construction of New Zealand's biggest roading project.

  • Snow-covered ground with some rocks and a clear sky. A frozen body of water or ice surface is visible in the distance.

    2015 - Landfills

    Sustainability

    LEARNZ looked at waste, recycling, the carbon cycle, electricity from methane and engineered landfills at Kate Valley and Redvale.

  • Group of children holding pictures of birds outdoors.

    2016 - Citizen science

    Nationwide

    During the Garden Bird Survey and Kereru Count, LEARNZ worked with students on citizen science projects.

  • Young man wearing safety glasses, orange safety jacket, and blue gloves, holding a beaker with an orange liquid in a laboratory or industrial setting.

    2017 - Water

    Wellington

    LEARNZ followed the journeys of freshwater, wastewater, stormwater and won two NZ Copyright Licensing Education Awards.

  • Large, leafless tree with branches stretching outward, situated in a lush outdoor area with a palm tree and green foliage in the background against a blue sky.

    2018 - Kauri dieback

    Northland, Auckland

    The latest in a series of LEARNZ kauri trips, interacting with schools about the potentially catastrophic impact of this deadly disease on our native taonga.

  • View of Earth from space showing multiple red location markers over the Pacific Ocean and surrounding areas.

    2019 - Map my waahi

    Mapping

    In a series of field trips around Aotearoa New Zealand, LEARNZ worked with experts to help students make interactive maps about their own places and heritage.

  • Motorway traffic

    2020 - Sustainable transport

    Getting Around

    Leading up to Road Safety Week, this field trip explored new ideas in redesigned landscapes that support safe ways you can get around by walking, riding or driving

  • Sign that says Look for Trains

    2021 - TranzAlpine

    A STEM-learning journey with a view

    LEARNZ took the TranzAlpine train journey, from Ōtautahi Christchurch to Māwhera Greymouth for a sense of engineering achievement in this spectacular and challenging landscape.

  • Rock formation

    2022 - Tsunami

    Lessons from the Chathams

    LEARNZ traveled to Rēkohu/Wharekauri to explore the impacts of past tsunami and how these events can help us to prepare for future tsunami in other parts of Aotearoa.

  • Matariki cluster of stars

    2023 - Matariki

    Dr Rangi Matamua shares his mātauranga

    LEARNZ helped ākonga learn about how to celebrate Matariki in classrooms, homes and communities.

  • Sea lion nursing

    2024 - Pakake New Zealand sea lions

    The return of a taoka species

    LEARNZ took an immersive journey to locations around Ōtepoti Dunedin to find out about the population recovery of pakake New Zealand sea lion

  • Pou

    2025 - Origin stories

    Raukawa

    LEARNZ went deep into the Waikato, exploring local histories, mātauranga and knowledge of the iwi of Raukawa.

Explore our video collection

Visit the LEARNZ Vimeo Collection to explore all our previous and current online field trip videos.

Explore Our Video Collection
A screen shot of a collection of six LEARNZ videos.

Explore our photo gallery

A colorful bird perched on a branch at night, with detailed feathers and dark background.

A colorful bird perched on a branch at night, with detailed feathers and dark background.

A seal sitting on the sandy beach near the ocean, with ocean waves and a distant island visible in the background.

A seal sitting on the sandy beach near the ocean, with ocean waves and a distant island visible in the background.

Scientists in cold weather gear conducting research in snow-covered terrain with equipment and flags.

Scientists in cold weather gear conducting research in snow-covered terrain with equipment and flags.

A group of children and adults planting trees in a grassy field with mountains and a clear blue sky in the background.

A group of children and adults planting trees in a grassy field with mountains and a clear blue sky in the background.

Close-up of a young hedgehog being fed with a dropper by a person wearing gloves, with another person in a blue shirt nearby, in a clinical setting.

Close-up of a young hedgehog being fed with a dropper by a person wearing gloves, with another person in a blue shirt nearby, in a clinical setting.

A large fish swimming underwater with a smaller fish above it and debris on the ocean floor.

A large fish swimming underwater with a smaller fish above it and debris on the ocean floor.

Scenic view of misty mountains with lush green forests reflected in a calm lake, with some clouds overhead.

Scenic view of misty mountains with lush green forests reflected in a calm lake, with some clouds overhead.

A wooden pier extending into the ocean with sandy beach in the foreground, large rocky cliffs on the right, and a partly cloudy sky overhead.

A wooden pier extending into the ocean with sandy beach in the foreground, large rocky cliffs on the right, and a partly cloudy sky overhead.

Snow-capped mountain peaks with rocky terrain in the foreground and two small buildings on the rocks.

Snow-capped mountain peaks with rocky terrain in the foreground and two small buildings on the rocks.

Person holding a large animal skull, likely a sea lion or seal, outdoors near rocky terrain.

Person holding a large animal skull, likely a sea lion or seal, outdoors near rocky terrain.

Yellow roadside warning sign with a dolphin silhouette and a message stating 'Sea Lions Next 1 km', surrounded by green bushes and trees with a partly cloudy blue sky.

Yellow roadside warning sign with a dolphin silhouette and a message stating 'Sea Lions Next 1 km', surrounded by green bushes and trees with a partly cloudy blue sky.

A tangled pile of fishing nets, ropes, and buoys on a boat or dock.

A tangled pile of fishing nets, ropes, and buoys on a boat or dock.

Various snack foods, drinks, and a backpack on the floor.

Various snack foods, drinks, and a backpack on the floor.

A set of community preparedness materials including a household plan sheet, informational cards, and a flyer with emergency response questions and instructions.

A set of community preparedness materials including a household plan sheet, informational cards, and a flyer with emergency response questions and instructions.

A cliff face with jagged rocks and greenery, with trees and a building with a red roof in the foreground.

A cliff face with jagged rocks and greenery, with trees and a building with a red roof in the foreground.

Roadside warning signs including one indicating a potential rockfall and another warning of landslides, with natural landscape and water in the background.

Roadside warning signs including one indicating a potential rockfall and another warning of landslides, with natural landscape and water in the background.

Snow-capped mountain, likely Mount Taranaki, with cows grazing in a green field in the foreground.

Snow-capped mountain, likely Mount Taranaki, with cows grazing in a green field in the foreground.

A woman working at a computer station with multiple screens displaying data, charts, and a 3D model of a green vehicle design.

A woman working at a computer station with multiple screens displaying data, charts, and a 3D model of a green vehicle design.

Yellow underwater drone labeled 'Chasing M2' on a foam pad.

Yellow underwater drone labeled 'Chasing M2' on a foam pad.

Man in yellow and blue waterproof jacket standing on a boat pointing towards the water during daytime, with a shoreline in the background.

Man in yellow and blue waterproof jacket standing on a boat pointing towards the water during daytime, with a shoreline in the background.

A female engineer in a yellow safety jacket and helmet smiling at a construction site near a body of water, with surveying equipment and a boat under construction around.

A female engineer in a yellow safety jacket and helmet smiling at a construction site near a body of water, with surveying equipment and a boat under construction around.

A man kneels on rocks at the edge of a river, touching the water with one hand. He is wearing a striped shirt and dark pants, and is barefoot. The background features trees and hills.

A man kneels on rocks at the edge of a river, touching the water with one hand. He is wearing a striped shirt and dark pants, and is barefoot. The background features trees and hills.

A traditional Maori meeting house with intricate green and black carved designs, including figures and patterns, and a sign that reads 'Tuhuru'.

A traditional Maori meeting house with intricate green and black carved designs, including figures and patterns, and a sign that reads 'Tuhuru'.

A mountain landscape with a river flowing over rocks, trees along the riverbank, and a mountain in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A mountain landscape with a river flowing over rocks, trees along the riverbank, and a mountain in the background under a partly cloudy sky.