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Photo by TGC

Waitomo Caves

Social Sciences —

Year 11 Geography students visited the Waitomo Caves in Week 9 and Week 10 this term to study the impacts of tourism on the cave environment and to look at the sustainability of the tourism operations there.

This contributes to their learning about sustainability and helps them to complete an internal assessment based on their visit. While at the Caves, students did the Black Labyrinth blackwater rafting, visited the education centre and were guided through the Ruakuri Caves. At each point students were looking for impacts on the caves and measures taken by tourism operators to be sustainable.

Our trip this year was rather chilly. While we planned to visit the caves in winter we were not anticipating the polar blast that came through. Negative temperature to start the day and a single figure max made for a rather cold rafting experience! However, the students were resilient and embraced their experience (and the thermals and wetsuits that were provided!). Fieldtrips are an integral part of Geography and help to keep learning real and relevant for students.

Times are tough for tourism operators in New Zealand in this COVID-world with up to 90% of visitors to the cave coming from international destinations pre-COVID. We were glad to be able to support local businesses until international visitors can return en mass. The caves are open to all visitors and a visit to the caves could make a great holiday activity.

Student voice from the trip:

“I really enjoyed the Waitomo Caves, especially the part where we did the black water rafting. It was fun and helped my learning as I got to experience first hand about the impacts of the caves. I learnt about the impacts listening to the guides talking and seeing what equipment they used to help protect the caves eg the lights and walkways”. Manu

“ Visiting the Waitomo Caves enhanced my learning as I was able to experience the natural beauty of the caves along with understanding how we can impact on the caves. My favourite part was the black water rafting - I loved the thrill and adventure”. Liv

“It was an exhilarating experience with so much NZ culture included. The black water rafting took us underneath the hidden skylights and heavy rapids as we watched the glow worms from our tubes. Our second stop was the museum where we learned how the caves were formed and human impacts on them. Our final activity for the day was in the Ruakuri caves where we wound down the staircase and studied the rocks that fell in curtains and in straw-like structures. Truly an amazing day and would definitely recommend going again” Ash.