Rooms 5, 8 and 9 all enjoyed a trip to Riccarton Bush recently to start our Social Sciences topic around Creating Economy, and Sustainability.

This learning includes exploring Makinga Kai, Maori food trade and comparing traditional Maori and European methods, finding out more about our Harewood area, the market gardens and early Maori use of the land in this area.

During our Riccarton Bush trip we learnt about the plants and bird life living within the bush and spent time identifying different plant species. The museum educator shared stories about the bush and how some of the plants had been used in the past.

The Maori name is Pūtaringamotu. We learnt this means 'Place of Echo'. Local Maori believed that at certain places in the forest those trained and skilled could hear the sound of people approaching and warn them of the arrival of an enemy and pinpoint their direction.

When Mataī went on the school trip, we went to Riccarton Bush. A person from the museum told us about a story. After that she took us on the trail. We saw a wood pigeon in a tree laying it's eggs. The lady had lots of books. She gave us some of the books to match our leaves too. By Jade Room 5

In the bush there were lots of pigeons and some seeds. It was cool that we got to pick up some leaves from the ground. We got read a story from a long time ago. It was the legend about a person and a waka. The trees in the forest were very big, they were so big I couldn't really believe it. By Reilly Room 5

We saw a clever tree at the bush. It is a clever tree because moa used to like eating it so the leaves are spiky. The tree grows taller and the moa can't reach it. By Bella Room 8