Join
Tamariki join through a participating school or rūnanga. Ask Haeata about current school arrangements.
Te Mātāpuna Mātātahi
Children's University celebrates the idea that valuable learning can happen anywhere. The programme supports tamariki aged 7–14 to discover interests, try new experiences and build a lifelong love of learning.
Delivered in Waitaha Canterbury by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury and Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki | Lincoln University, the programme connects young learners with approved experiences outside the classroom.
Learn more from the University of Canterbury ↗
The learning journey
The programme makes learning beyond school visible and worth celebrating. Here is how the journey works.
Tamariki join through a participating school or rūnanga. Ask Haeata about current school arrangements.
Each participating learner receives a Passport to Learning to record eligible experiences.
Take part in approved learning activities and collect learning hours in the passport.
Once eligible learning requirements are met, tamariki can celebrate their achievements at graduation.
Explore what interests you
Approved Learning Destinations and activities can open up new worlds. These are examples of the kinds of learning experiences described by Children’s University—not a list of Haeata-organised trips.
Discover stories, art, history and new perspectives.
Explore the natural world and learn about living things.
Find books, ideas and places that help curiosity grow.
Experiment, investigate and ask new questions.
Look closely at the environment beyond the classroom.
Explore eligible interests such as music, sport and community learning.
Watch & discover
Discover more about Children's University through the supplied programme video.
If the video does not display in Skoolsites, watch the video on YouTube ↗.
Celebrating Haeata ākonga
For tamariki, graduation is a chance to recognise curiosity, effort and learning beyond the classroom. For whānau, it is an opportunity to share in their achievements and see the possibilities ahead.
At Haeata, we are proud to celebrate the achievements of our young learners and the learning journeys behind them.
Why it matters
Trying something new and recognising personal growth.
Asking questions and discovering interests.
Exploring shared learning experiences with whānau and community.
Recognising different paths and possibilities for the future.
For whānau
Some of the most memorable learning happens when tamariki and whānau discover something new together. A trip to a museum, a community activity or time exploring outdoors can prompt new questions and interests.
Only activities that meet current Children’s University requirements count towards Passport to Learning hours. Check the official guidance before recording an activity.
Good to know
Te Mātāpuna Mātātahi | Children’s University is a learning-enrichment programme supporting tamariki to take part in approved learning experiences outside the classroom.
The University of Canterbury describes a programme for tamariki aged 7–14. Haeata-specific participation arrangements should be confirmed with the school.
A passport issued to participating learners to record approved learning activities and eligible hours.
The University of Canterbury states that at least 30 eligible hours recorded in the passport are needed for graduation.
At approved Learning Destinations, through eligible online learning and approved activities. Check the programme’s current requirements.
Yes. Whānau can support participation in suitable out-of-school experiences. Not every family activity automatically qualifies for learning hours.
Ask Haeata Community Campus about current programme eligibility, registration arrangements and availability.
Ready to learn more?
Explore the official programme to discover the possibilities. To find out about current participation opportunities for Haeata ākonga, contact our kura for school-specific information.
Presented in partnership by the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University. Participation details and eligibility are subject to the current programme and school arrangements.
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