The Giant Rata tree is over 800 years old and may have started growing before mammals arrived in New Zealand. It grew near the top of a tree and sent roots down to the ground. After a long time it killed the host tree. It is very tall. Our class were able to fit inside the hollow rata tree. The tree’s cave is from where the dead tree had rotted away. There was a big opening and a small escape opening at the back.
We observed all the bugs that had fallen into the traps. The traps were buckets in the ground almost covered except for a small opening. The top of the bucket was at ground level.
Lots of Rimu trees were cut down and dragged away in the early pioneer days. The children had to work hard too and often didn’t go to school. The settlers lived in large, heavy, canvas tents.
We identified plants and creatures at Pukeiti from charts they provided. Everyone potted up a native tree seedling to take home and replant.
We learnt a fact about one sort grasshopper that can jump 4.7metres from a standing start. We all tried to beat that jump, but the best Room 5 pupil could only jump 1.25metres.
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