Environmental Educational

​Envirocentre - Environmental Activity Centre

In 2005, we acquired a heritage building and resited it on Rangimarie Reserve within Pirongia Village in 2012. Its purpose is to serve as an environmental activity centre and add to the existing heritage precinct within the village.

The building, a double classroom block, is deeply significant to our community having been the ‘face’ of Pirongia school for over 50 years.

 Prior to its relocation to Pirongia School in the 1950’s, it was the original Te Mawhai school building and dates from about 1914.  (Historical records are unclear). We were able to gather 250 signatures for the retaining of the building in our community for use as an environmental education centre, which indicates the strong level of support we have for this project. 
 
We are currently upgrading the building to be able to open it to the public and plan to provide programmes, workshops and hands-on opportunities for environmental protection and developing sustainability skills. Information about recreational opportunities on Mt Pirongia will also be offered, and the centre will also be available for hire to community groups.