Latest News
Check out photos, videos and heart-warming stories from our outdoor adventure programmes. Plus read articles published by our staff, motivational quotes, Maori word of the month, and more!
Christmas message from Tim Wills, CEO
[This message is copied from our Christmas newsletter. Read the rest of the newsletter here.] Meri Kirihimete! I hope this year has been a fulfilling one and now you have some time to relax and...
Why we LOVE small groups!
“It was comforting to learn that EVERYONE goes through stuff and everyone struggles from time to time.”
KidsCan Youth Council
KidsCan is a New Zealand charity on a mission to help kiwi children who are living in poverty and going without essentials like food, warm clothing and shoes. KidsCan believes that “Education is a...
Teenage Girls + Mental Health
“I feel hopeful about my future and that life is worth living. Before this course, I saw no purpose in life. This course has made me see the beauty in life. I no longer feel alone.”
Helping Women Heal from Trauma
REVIVE is a new Adventure Therapy day programme (one day a week over eight weeks) for clients who are being supported by ACC’s Integrated Service for Sensitive Claims (ISSC) therapists. We have just...
Thank you, Foundation North
Thank you, Foundation North, for funding the purchase of our new mountain bikes so that more young people can experience the joy of being outdoors!
Staff training in Christchurch
Our Christchurch team got together a few weeks ago for a 2-day staff training event (which happens once each term). Instructor Peter described it like this: "April ran a session up at Sign of the...
“Turn and face the sun”
E huri tō aroaro ki te rā, tukuna tō ataarangi ki muri i a koe.Turn and face the sun, and let your shadow fall behind you.
Farewell Instructor Dave!
FAREWELL DAVE! The man, the myth, the legend ... After an adventure-filled 10 years, we are sadly saying farewell to Dave, one of our most experienced outdoor instructors and Adventure Therapy...
Congrats to our instructors on their Bush 1 qualification
CONGRATS to our instructors (Isaac, Nat, Oli and Anna S) who have just passed the 3-day NZOIA Bush 1 qualification last week! Contrary to the name, "Bush 1" is not an easy or entry-level...
Upcoming youth camp: IGNITE
IGNITE is a youth camp for teens aged 14-18 who might be struggling with life at the moment and would like support on their journey towards wellbeing.
Thank you, Recreation Aotearoa!
THANK YOU RECREATION AOTEAROA! For funding some amazing programmes over the last few months: Big Brother Big Sister and Upside Youth Mentoring in Auckland, plus Active Muslim Explorers Camp and Big...
#kayaking
Mountain biking with Cashmere High School
Feedback from West City Sports Academy
Thank you, West City Sports Academy, for this wonderful feedback about our partnership with your alternative education programme.
Cole Yeoman – amazing photographer
This stunning photo was taken by the talented Cole Yeoman during the 11-day "E3 Canterbury" wilderness journey earlier this year. At that point, Day 2, the group of Year 12-13 students and 3 outdoor...
Mauri tū, mauri ora
What's your favourite proverb? This Māori whakataukī is lovely, isn't it? Mauri tū, mauri ora. An active soul is a healthy soul.
Thank you for funding our new life jackets!
A huge THANK YOU to Henderson-Massey Local Board who granted us funding to purchase some new PFDs (life jackets) which were used the very next day after they arrived in the office! We took a group...
What’s your favourite local walk or hike?
Some of our fav tramps: Christchurch Port Hills Southern Alps Tongariro National Park Central North Island Hunua Ranges, Auckland What's your favourite?
The simple pleasure of sharing a meal together
One of the nice parts of our Adventure Therapy programmes is simply sharing a meal together in a beautiful location!
Giving something new a go
One of the best things about our programmes is that participants get to try outdoor activities that they might not normally have a chance to try ... like surfing! How much fun does this look?!?
Coasteering: The Washing Machine
Check out this 17-second video of a favourite coasteering spot called "The Washing Machine" at Tāwharanui Regional Park in Auckland. It's called the Washing Machine because it's the sweet spot...
Experience wildlife up close
Experience nature and wildlife, up close and personal. Get out of the city, breathe the fresh air, explore the great outdoors, cook outside, camp beneath the stars.
photos from Kings Central North Island programme
Below are a selection of photos from a recent Kings College programme in the Central North Island (CNI) Photos taken by Instructor Nathalie - thanks Nat!
Sea kayak with Rangiora College
Some stunning photos by Instructor April from a 3-day sea kayak trip with Rangiora College, Canterbury. April says, "We left from Cass Bay, stayed on Ōtamahua (Quail Island) for two nights, then...
7-day Girls Journey through Marlborough Sounds
Seven-day Girls Journey Here is a reflection, written by the young women who went on the recent 7-day Journey through Marlborough Sounds with our Christchurch instructors, Grace and April. "We...
Stunning view from Cape Brett lighthouse
The stunning views from Cape Brett / Rakaumangamanga on the Cape Brett Track in Northland. Our 10-day Journey with Kaipara College students finished at this incredible location, next to the Cape...
Five Fun Facts about Andy, Christchurch manager
Five Fun Facts about Andy Balcar, our beloved Christchurch manager! 1. I used to play the Trombone2. I brew my own beer and recently attempted to make my own beer from all my own home-grown...
“I learnt the everyone, I mean everyone, deserves respect” and more quotes
One of the most rewarding parts of this job is reading the feedback from participants, after they have finished one of our programmes.
These quotes are from several different programmes over the last few months (Feb-May 2023). They are Level 2 Outcomes, which means the programmes are longer than a day (either a series of day programmes or a longer 10-day or 21-day programme). The activities ranged from surfing to rock climbing, hiking, camping, and more.
Mahi mātātoa = an adventure
Mahi Mātātoa = an adventure Mahi = workMātātoa = fearless, unconcerned, daring, intrepid, undaunted, energetic, active