Te Hononga Taiao - The Nature Connection

Te Hononga Taiao is a citizen science research project that aimed to examine:
- the benefits to spending time outdoors for new parents
- barriers  that  new parents face in getting outdoors
- the role of nature-based programs for new parents

Te Hononga Taiao was part of the 2024 Participatory Science Platform, funded via Venture Taranaki. The shaping of the research was supported by the voices of the Trails & Tots community. We believe the data and findings from this project have immense value for the local Taranaki community of parents, as well as the wider population of whānau around New Zealand. 

Final Results!

Over the course of the last 10 months, our citizen science project has flourished and come to some valuable findings. The full report PDF can be found below.

For further inquiries, please email:
trailsandtots@gmail.com

Partners & Sponsors 

A huge mihi | thank you to:

Venture Taranaki for supporting the research project through the Participatory Science Platform - Curious Minds funding.
Click here to learn more and view other PSP Curious Minds projects.

Plunket Taranaki for being community partners  and  supporting Trails & Tots.

Sport Taranaki for providing space for us to host our focus group.

And nga mihi nui to all those Trails & Tots participants and community members who volunteered time and experience to make the project happen. We so appreciate you!

Gear Library

As part of the funding, Trails & Tots has been able to create a gear library. Access to gear is a known barrier in outdoor recreation, so it is hoped that by providing free pack hire, more whanau can easily spend time outdoors. 

If you'd like to borrow a pack at one of our meet ups, please register for a meet up via the "Calendar and Registration" page and click the appropriate pack-hire section of the sign up form.

To inquire about hiring a pack outside of Trails & Tots meet ups, please send us an email: trailsandtots.co.nz

Packs Available (click below to view brand websites):
- Osprey Poco Plus     
- Kelty Journey PerfectFit
- Deuter Kid Comfort
- Littlelife S2
- Ergobaby 360 Omni Mesh *soft carrier pack
- Trail Magik Carriers

Also Available:
- Morrison Outdoor Sleeping bags
Sizes: 6-18 months, 18-36 months, 3-5yrs