Fostering a love of the outdoors is easy when you live in a region like the Western Bay. Making it that much easier is the Ngamuwahine Outdoor Education Lodge.
With facilities that focus on educating children on all aspects of the natural environment, while developing confidence, tolerance and perseverance, outdoor pursuits at the Lodge include a high ropes course, abseiling, mountain biking, kayaking, archery, orienteering, target shooting, paintball, tramping and environmental and bush studies.
Situated 25kms from Tauranga City on the edge of the Kaimai/Mamaku Forest Park, the Lodge is used by over 4,000 people annually. A highlight of the year for Tauranga Intermediate students who visit for a one-week camp, visitors also include kindergartens, rotary youth, Scouts, Girl Guides, church groups, Canteen, sports groups, Youth Search & Rescue, NZ Police, and the Civil Defence.
With demand for the Lodge so high, the Ngamuwahine Trust embarked on a major building project in 2013 to extend its facility to allow greater community use.
With TECT funding of $600,000, the project was able to extend the camp to include an extra-large multipurpose room, a commercial kitchen, eight additional twin bedrooms and bathroom facilities. With the added facilities, the lodge now has capacity for 90 overnight and 150 daytime visitors
In 2018, further funding was requested to help build a high ropes course; adding another level of outdoor pursuit to encourage visitors to get active, challenge themselves, and most importantly have fun.
Gerry Hart, Ngamuwahine Camp Administrator said TECT’s support has been vital over the years, and the recent funding of $108,311 for the high ropes has provided a whole new level of fun for visitors to experience.
“We cannot thank TECT enough for helping us make the high ropes course a reality. It has been a big hit with all the students and groups from around the community that visit.”
Ngamuwahine Lodge Address
339 Ngamuwahine Road, Lower Kaimai 3171
Ngamuwahine Lodge - Camp Administrator Phone Number
Gerry Hart - 027 493 0020
gerryh@tauranga-int.school.nz
