Why Outdoor Classrooms Are Just as Important for Teachers as They Are for Kids
February 17, 2025
At Oke, we talk a lot about how outdoor classrooms transform learning for tamariki. But today, I want to flip
About us
What we are doing
Oke provide Kiwi kids the opportunity to learn life and social skills by introducing sustainable “outdoor classrooms” into schools. By giving the kids the tools to learn, Oke are empowering schools and communities to grow essential life and social skills, ultimately providing a better place for everyone.
facts
We’ve funded and built
57
outdoor classroom builds in Auckland and beyond so far...
0
kids have had access to the school gardens
0
+
Volunteer hours to build these school gardens
0
kg
of produce grown each year across our school gardens
The Social and Health Benefits of Gardens in Schools
February 1, 2020
“We’re looking for a project which will bring our community together and we thought OKE could help achieve this with
Donate
Help us grow mighty kids by donating a small amount
$50 provides seedlings for the outdoor classroom (OC)
$150 provides a wheelbarrow for a OC
$500 provides a friendship bench for an OC
$750 provides soil for an OC
$1,000 provides the garden tools for an OC
$1,500 provides a toolshed for an OC
$2,000 provides a tunnel house for an OC
$4,000 provides the raised beds for an OC
$20,000 provides an entire outdoor classroom and ongoing Oke School Mate Support
It was awesome to see the transformation of the garden, and it happened so quickly too. There was a really friendly atmosphere on site, and the helpers did a fantastic job, and went above and beyond! A special thanks to the Trade school for moving the seed planting station too!
Kathryn Franklin / Classroom TeacherPuhinui School 
The work that was accomplished today is unbelievable and we are a very lucky school. We are going to work hard to develop a sustainable plan going forward. Already lots of staff are raving at what was accomplished and how our kids had so much fun and that we need to do it more.
Saane Faaofo Oldehaver / PrincipalWeymouth Primary School 
