Place and environment teaching resources

'Place and environment' is a key concept in the New Zealand Curriculum, exploring how people interact with, understand, and are influenced by the physical and cultural spaces around them. This concept encourages students to investigate the characteristics, significance, and values associated with different places, from local communities to global contexts. In teaching, 'place and environment' supports learners to develop a sense of identity and belonging, understand their role as kaitiaki (guardians) of the land, and consider environmental sustainability. Teachers might use resources with this tag to facilitate inquiry projects, fieldwork, mapping activities, or discussions about environmental challenges and cultural heritage. Integrating 'place and environment' into lessons helps students appreciate connections between people and places, develop critical thinking about environmental issues, and engage with Māori perspectives on whenua (land). This concept is relevant across subjects such as social sciences, science, and geography, promoting active citizenship and environmental stewardship.