World Forum is excited to announce a Study Tour to New Zealand in 2025!
March 9-15, 2025
On the North Island from
Auckland to Wellington
Delivered in partnership with Early Childhood New Zealand (ECNZ) and Storypark, we have tailor-made this face-to-face professional learning programme specifically for leaders of multi-site organizations in March 2025.
Join other early childhood professionals for a week-long immersive learning experience to see innovation and inspiration in a multi-city Study Tour visiting a diverse group of early childhood centers and programs in New Zealand. This a chance to build your network of friends from around the world, experience a taste of the vibrant culture in New Zealand and take away new ideas for multi-site program implementation and community impact. Be part of this immersive learning experience from 9-15 March 2025!
The New Zealand Study Tour will offer you and your organization:
- Time with leaders of some of New Zealand’s leading multi-site ECE providers
- Visits to a variety of head office and individual sites to learn in person
- Time with New Zealand regulators and experts to understand ECE curriculum, planning and assessment practices, the role of the teacher, and the role of the environment in the curriculum
- Opportunities to engage in local Māori traditions and to deepen understanding about the bi-cultural context and ECE in New Zealand
- Inspiration through the work of young children
- Intentional reflection time as a group to create networking opportunities and strengthening collective understanding
- Long-term professional relationships as you share the entire trip with a peer group of other World Forum multi-site leaders from across the globe
In addition to the immersive ECD learning experience, you will also traverse across the North Island to see some of the amazing natural landscapes of New Zealand (and maybe even meet a Hobbit).
Schedule
*Notes food/drink included in registration costs.
Please note that all event itineraries are carefully planned to provide the best possible experience. However, unforeseen circumstances may occasionally require adjustments to the schedule, activities, or venues. We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary at any time, while ensuring the overall quality of the event is maintained. We appreciate your understanding and recommend checking for updates closer to the event date. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Sunday 9 March 2025 in Auckland
5:00 PM | Powhiri – Welcome at Rydges Hotel Auckland
5:45 PM | Meet Leaders around the world. Enjoy drinks*, networking and facilitated conversation with multi-site leaders from three organisations at Rydges Hotel Auckland.
6:45 PM | Dinner (On your own)
Monday 10 March 2025 in Auckland
9:00 AM | Pick up at hotel to visit Auckland’s largest ECE providers
9:30 AM | Mihi Whakatau – Welcome
10:00 AM | Kai – Morning Tea
10:30 AM | Center Visit #1
11:45 AM | Center Visit #2
12:45 PM | Lunch*
1:45 PM | Travel to city
2:15 PM | Center Visit #3
3:15 PM | Travel to hotel
3:30 PM | Explore Auckland (on your own)
Tuesday 11 March 2025 in Hamilton
8:30 AM | Bus picks up from central city – travel to Tauhei Marae (2 hours)
10:30 AM | Powhiri – Cultural experience
11:00 AM | Kai – Morning Tea
11:30 AM | Stories & History
1:00 PM | Lunch*
2:00 PM | Expert Speaker Wendy Lee
3:00 PM | Expert Speaker Lesley Rameka
4:00 PM | Time for reflection
4:30 PM | Drop off at hotel
5:00 PM | Explore on your own time
Wednesday 12 March 2025 Travel from Hamilton to Wellington
7:30 AM | Bus pick up from hotel – travel to Hobbiton (45-60 minutes)
8:30 AM | Hobbiton Movie Set Tours
10:30 AM | Drive to Zealong Tea Estate
11:30 AM | Zealong Tea Estate – light lunch*
12:30 PM | Drive to Auckland Airport
2:00 PM | Check in for flight
3:00 PM | Flight to Wellington
4:10 PM | Transport to hotel
4:45 PM | Check in to hotel
5:00 PM | Explore on your own time
Thursday 13 March 2025 in Wellington
9:00 AM | Pick up from hotel
9:15 AM | Mihi Whakatau
9:45 AM | Morning Tea
10:15 AM | Welcome to Te Rito Maioha Education New Zealand
10:30 AM | Culture, Language & Identity
11:30 AM | Whānau Manaaki – Mandy Coulston
12:30 PM | Time for reflections
12:45 PM | Lunch*
1:30 PM | Center Tour
3:30 PM | Drop off at hotel
4:00 PM | Explore on your own time
Friday 14 March 2025 in Wellington
8:30 AM | Bus pick up from hotel
9:00 AM | Gather for Early Childhood Centre Tours
9:15 AM | Centre Tour
11:15 AM | Debrief, learning and reflections from centre visit
12:00 PM | Lunch*
1:00 PM | Regulatory Overview ECE
2:00 PM | Regulatory Overview ECE
3:00 PM | Kai – cup of tea
3:30 PM | Debrief, learning and reflections from the week
4:00 PM | Drinks and canapés*
5:00 PM | Transport to dinner
5:30 PM | Farewell dinner*
Saturday 15 March 2025 in Wellington
9:00 AM | Pick up from hotel
9:15 AM | Center Tours
11:30 AM | Center Tour
11:30 AM | Time to shop/explore
12:00 PM | Lunch*
1:00 PM | Poroporoaki – Official close
1:30 PM | Transportation to city
2:00 PM | Optional tours available (Weta workshop, Red Rocks) on your own time
*Delegates are responsible for their return to Auckland.
Accommodations
Rydges Hotel Auckland
59 Federal Street, Auckland City
$239 NZD including GST and breakfast for one
To book accommodation at Rydges Wellington please go to Auckland Accommodation CBD Hotel | Free WiFi | Rydges Auckland
Select your stay dates (special rate available for stays 09-11 March 2025 inclusive)
Click on ‘I have a code’.
In Corporate ID field enter WFNZ25
Click on CHECK ROOMS
Your special rate including daily breakfast for one will display
This is also where the official welcome will take place on Sunday night at the Rooftop Bar
Novotel or Ibis Hamilton
18 Alma Street, Hamilton City
Fluctuating rates depending on options chosen (pre pay, flexible etc)
Only valid night of 11th March
Link is here
Atura Wellington
24 Hawkestone Street, Thorndon
$229 NZD including GST and breakfast for one
To book accommodation at Atura Wellington please go to Atura Wellington | Accommodation in Wellington CBD
Select your stay dates (special rate available for stays 12-15 March 2025 inclusive)
Click on ‘I have a code’.
In Corporate ID field enter WFNZ25
Click on CHECK ROOMS
Your special rate including daily breakfast for one will display
Price
$1,800 USD (includes Study Tour registration, transport from Auckland to Wellington, access to cultural tour experiences and some meals). Lodging and travel to/from New Zealand not included.
Cancellation Policy
Notice of cancellation must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. Registrations canceled prior to February 1st, 2025 will be refunded, less a USD 20% service fee. Registrations canceled after February 1st, 2025 will be issued a registration credit, less the USD 20% service fee, to be used within 24 months from the start date of the World Forum event that you requested cancelation for. For example, if you cancel your registration for the Study Tour, you will receive a registration credit, less the USD 20% service fee, to use for a future World Forum Study Tour, the 2026 World Forum in Kuala Lumpur, or any World Forum event that may take place in the next 24 months. The credit expires if not used within 24 months.
Please note: we anticipate that this Study Tour will be limited to 60 participants on a first come, first served basis. Depending on the number of those expressing interest we may consider expanding the tour (or possibly host an additional tour at a later date).
