Learn how Christchurch City Council works to make Christchurch a sustainable, fun and liveable city through a visit to Te Hononga, the central headquarters in town.

Book a Learning Through Action school programme

Risk analysis and management information (RAMS) will be sent out once a programme booking is confirmed. If you require this at any other stage please email LTA@ccc.govt.nz or contact us(external link).

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Programme overview

Year level

5 to 13

Curriculum Level

3 to 8

Availability

Year-round: Monday, Friday or by arrangement.

Minimum 4 weeks’ notice required when booking

Times

9.30am to 12noon or 12.15pm to 2.30pm

Site

Christchurch City Council Civic Building (Te Hononga)

Cost

Free

Number of students

Maximum of 35

Special requirements

None 

Key concepts
  • Local government
  • Active citizenship
  • Sustainability
  • Council Chambers
  • Operations
  • Decisions
  • Laws
  • Future Focus

Lesson description

Learn how Council works to make Christchurch a sustainable, fun and liveable city through a visit to Te Hononga, the central headquarters in town.

Students will gain an understanding of what Council does and meet experts who work here.

Students then take a decision making role as they plan how to spend ratepayers’ money (y7-13) or complete a scavenger hunt activity (y5-6)

We conclude with a visit to Council Chambers to see where key local government decisions are made.

Learning outcomes

We are learning to:

  • Understand why the Council is so important to the people of Christchurch.
  • Explain how Council is organised to make Christchurch a fun, liveable, workable city.
  • Identify how Council is governed and by which processes.
  • Understand how Māori as tangata whenua influence Council decisions.
  • Investigate how decisions are made within Council to make Christchurch a great liveable city.
  • Engage with the process of democratic decision-making within the local council body.

Key competencies

Using language, symbols and texts

Students use oral, written and visual texts to understand key terms.

Thinking

Students will use creative, critical and meta-cognitive processes.

Managing self

Students will manage their group projects and act independently.

Relating to others

Students are expected to work together in teams.

Achievement objectives
Curriculum area Strand and level Objective
Social Sciences
Tikanga ā-Iwi		 Levels 3 to 8 Social Studies
Economics
Geography
English
Te Reo Pākehā 		 Listening, reading and viewing
Levels 3 to 8		 Processes and strategies
Ideas
Language features
Structure
Speaking, writing and presenting
Levels 3 to 8		 Processes and strategies
Purposes and audiences
Ideas
Language features
Maths
Pāngarau		 Number and algebra
Levels  3 to 8		 Equations and expressions
Geometry and measurement
Levels  3 to 8		 Measurement 
Statistics
Levels 3 to 8		 Statistical investigation
Statistical literacy

NCEA standards

Level 1

Subject Standard
Economics 1.5 AS90987
1.6 AS90988
Geography 1.6 AS91012
Sociology US8993
US8997
US28119
Social Studies 1.5 AS91043
Legal Studies US27835
US27850
English US3503

Level 2

Subject Standard
Business Studies 2.1 AS90843
Economics 2.6 AS91227
Education for Sustainability 2.4 AS91733
English US9677
US10791
Core Skills US9680
Geography 2.2 AS91241
2.6 AS91245
Sociology US8994
US8998
US28120
Social Studies 2.5 AS91283
Legal Studies US27836

Level 3

Subject Standard
Business Operation and Development US27765
US27519
US18956
Economics 3.4 AS91402
Geography 3.2 AS91427
3.6 AS91431
Sociology US8995
US8999
US28121
Social Studies 3.1 AS91596
3.3 AS91598
Legal Studies US27852
US27837
English US9681
Education for Sustainability AS90831
AS90832