New school visit programme to open new learning pathways

Mīharo, meaning wonder, amazement and awe in te reo Māori, offers schools and learners a new way to explore culture, creativity, history, science, technology and the natural world through connected, hands-on experiences. 

At the heart of Mīharo is a flexible Pick-a-Path approach, which supports teachers to build a learning journey across the gallery, museum and library according to the interests, needs and curriculum priorities of their ākonga. Teachers can follow a shared theme across locations, explore a single subject in depth, or combine different lessons and experiences into a programme designed specifically for their learners. 

“Mīharo opens the doors between our institutions and inviting ākonga to encounter ideas through different places, objects, art forms and ways of knowing,” says Learning Supervisor Rebecca Fawkner. 

“Teachers can plan and learners can esily move between Gallery, Library and Museum as one connected journey, with each site offering a different ways to investigate a question, encounter a story or develop a new idea.” 

Māori perspectives and values are woven throughout the programme, supporting learners to deepen their understanding of te ao Māori and strengthen their connection to place. Mīharo acknowledges and honours the mana whenua of Taranaki and the stories, traditions and mātauranga that shape the region’s cultural heritage. 

Mīharo programmes connect with and extend classroom learning through guided lessons, creative activities, collection encounters and opportunities for tactile and embodied exploration. 

Current experiences range from learning about taonga pūoro and the story of Taranaki to animation, architecture, environmental art, tukutuku, marine ecosystems, local histories and creative makerspaces. 

The programme also offers special opportunities, including artist-, curator- and community-led sessions, behind-the-scenes experiences and learning activities in locations throughout Taranaki. 

Programmes can be adapted to support learners with different access requirements, and pre-visit resources and post-visit activities are available to help teachers extend learning beyond the visit. 

Educational bookings at the gallery, museum and library are free for schools within the Taranaki region. Eligible schools may also be able to access subsidised bus transport through the support of the Govett-Brewster Foundation and Puke Ariki Trust. 

Mīharo is proudly supported by Taranaki Regional Council and the Ministry of Education through its Education Outside the Classroom initiative. 

Teachers, kura and learning communities can explore programmes and begin creating their own learning pathway at miharoexperience.nz.