Native New Zealand Story Table Kit

Native New Zealand Table Kit

Bring stories to life through imaginative, language-rich play rooted in Aotearoa’s natural heritage.

The Native New Zealand Animals Story Table Kit is a ready-to-use classroom resource that invites children into rich storytelling, sequencing, and early writing experiences through the wonders of native wildlife and habitat play. With a collection of carefully selected animal figures and loose parts that evoke the environments of New Zealand’s forests, coastlines, and wetlands, this kit supports deep literacy learning through meaningful, place-based play.

Ideal for early years and lower primary settings, the story table supports both independent exploration and intentional teaching. It fosters oral language development, narrative structure, ecological understanding, and print awareness—while honouring child-led inquiry and creativity.

Each kit includes:

• A selection of beautifully crafted native New Zealand animal figures (Kea, Kiwi, Weta, Tuatara, Little Blue Penguin, and Hector’s Dolphin)
• Loose parts and natural materials inspired by native habitats (e.g. stones, bark, shells, moss, wood rounds)
• Fabric and tactile materials for setting the scene
• Suggested storybooks or picture prompts related to New Zealand fauna and environments
• Writing materials: labels/signs, paper and tools to support early mark making

Teacher role:

• Introduce the story table with curiosity and care, focusing on the natural world
• Observe and document language, storytelling, and play-based inquiry
• Extend children’s thinking with reflective questioning and follow-up experiences

A purposeful addition to any literacy-rich, play-based or nature-connected learning environment, the Native NZ Animals Story Table Kit nurtures imaginative thinking, ecological awareness, collaboration, and deep engagement with narrative language.

**Loose parts disclaimer: The items shown in the product image are representative only. We carefully select similar loose parts for each kit, but individual items may vary based on availability—while still supporting the same play and learning outcomes. The animal figures included in this kit are part of the New Zealand Native Collection 6 Pack, and 100% of the purchase price of these figures is donated to BirdCare Aotearoa, supporting the care and rehabilitation of native birds in Aotearoa New Zealand.