Wood is good programme for kiwi schools

Wood is good programme for kiwi schools

Friday 19 Sep 2025

How do you inspire the next generation of foresters, engineers, and environmental stewards? You start young.

WIDE Trust is proud to support Wood is Good, a nationwide primary school programme designed to introduce tamariki to New Zealand’s forestry and log transport industries in a fun, educational, and hands-on way.

What is Wood is Good?

Developed by industry experts and supported by the Ministry for Primary Industries, Wood is Good brings the world of forestry and log transport to life for students through engaging classroom activities, resources, and interactive visits from real logging trucks and industry professionals.

From learning how trees grow and are harvested sustainably, to understanding the career opportunities in forestry, this initiative helps young students connect the dots between the natural world, their communities, and the economy.

The programme is free for schools and designed in alignment with the New Zealand curriculum. It’s a unique opportunity for tamariki to engage with forestry as a future-focused, high-value industry, one that’s vital to New Zealand’s low-carbon future.

Why WIDE Trust Supports Programmes Like This

At WIDE Trust, our mission is to advance Wood, Industry, Design and Education in Aotearoa. That mission doesn’t begin at university level, it starts by sparking interest early, supporting education at every stage, and showing young people the real-world possibilities in the wood sector.

Our involvement goes beyond financial backing—we work alongside educators, industry partners, and programme organisers to ensure the initiative continues to grow and reach more schools. By supporting outreach events like the one in Methven, we help to:

Bring industry experiences directly into classrooms
Showcase forestry as a valuable, sustainable, and future-focused career path
Support early engagement with science, technology, and environmental stewardship
Strengthen connections between education providers and the forestry sector

It’s about planting seeds now that can grow into the foresters, researchers, drivers, and innovators of tomorrow. We see this as an investment not just in education, but in the future of New Zealand’s wood and primary industries.

Unlocking Opportunity: Apply for a WIDE Trust Grant

If you’ve got an idea, initiative, or area of study that aligns with our purpose, we encourage you to apply. The process is straightforward, and the support can make a real difference, whether it’s covering study costs, bringing your idea to life, or helping your programme reach more people.

Learn more and apply at widetrust.org.nz

Source: WIDE Trust

Return to Newsletter

Share |