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!
Photos from Kings College programme
We have a long-term partnership with Kings College where we help facilitate their recurring 21-day wilderness adventure programmes. The first part of the programme is eight days in Ahuroa,...
Be an Enthusiast in Life
Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was a British novelist, short-story writer, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot of Norwegian descent. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. He has been referred to as “one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century”.
FEATURED HIKE: Montgomery Peak walk
FEATURED HIKE: Montgomery Peak walk. A intermediate-level hike with stunning views of Akaroa Peninsula, 2-hour return. HIKE DESCRIPTION: The hike starts with the Giant Tōtara Walk, a short 5 minute...
BREAKAWAY APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW! July 2022
BREAKAWAY APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW! This is our eternally popular FREE school holiday programme for teenagers in West Auckland. WHO: There are different programmes for juniors (11-13 years old) and...
Our Matariki Stories
We have been learning about Matariki as a team: reflecting on the past year, assessing our present situations, and considering our hopes and dreams for the coming year. A huge thanks to April for leading us through this process.
VIDEO: Auckland staff vs Sleeping God Canyon
It’s not often that a team of outdoor instructors all get time off at the same time. So when the Auckland staff had a long weekend where almost everyone was available, including some office staff and a few friends, we headed down to Sleeping God Canyon in Coromandel for a canyoning adventure!
Introducing Anna – Christchurch outdoor instructor
INTRODUCING ANNA! One of our new outdoor instructors in the Christchurch office.
Here’s what Anna has to say about herself:
Good news story: practising mihi (acknowledgement or thanks)
A lady on one of our “Inspire” Adventure Therapy programme for adults in Christchurch has been using the practice of mihi (acknowledgements or thanks) with her whānau at home. She said it has brought them closer together and now she can hardly get her sons to stop talking about things from their day!
Girls’ Journey: applications open!
Do you know any girls (year 11-13) in Auckland that would be keen to attend a life-changing outdoor adventure programme? 6 days. 2-3 different outdoor activities e.g. kayaking and mountain biking. Totally free! Get in touch with Laura (laura@adventurespecialties.co.nz).
JOB VACANCY: Auckland outdoor instructors x2
Sadly, two instructors are leaving us to go on an exciting overseas adventure together. So we are looking for two more instructors to join our team.
Thank you Lion Foundation!
A HUGE thank you to The Lion Foundation for their support in helping us purchase some new outdoor clothing. When we are able to supply outdoor adventure clothing and equipment to all our programme participants, it allows more people to come on adventures with us, rather than being held back by a lack of gear.
Live in the Sunshine
“Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
How do you teach leadership?
How do you teach leadership? Here are three stories to demonstrate different aspects of leadership:
Feedback from OutWest Youth Community Trust
“My students and I had an amazing time on the Adventure Therapy programme. It was great for team bonding, developing confidence, and it gave the students experiences that some of them would never otherwise experience.”
VIDEO: Surfing with Recreate
Recreate NZ is a non-profit that provides life-changing experiences to young people with disabilities.
Auckland office inside “The Crater” rock climbing wall
Our Auckland office is still working out of "The Crater" (the rock climbing wall attached to the main office building). We moved all the computers and office equipment in here after The Great Flood,...
Māori word of the Month: kōreti
Our Maori word of the month is kōreti (kayaking). One of our favourite activities!
Working hard or hardly working?
Our new interns, Oli and Micah, working hard on their kayak block course. They headed up north with Mark, our training manager, to the beautiful beaches of Whananaki, Northland, and spent time together learning about kayaking: technical paddling skills, rescue techniques, marine weather reading, personal paddling techniques, safety skills, and group management. And, of course, cooking dinner together on the beach in the late afternoon sun.
Introducing Joe: Auckland outdoor instructor
One of our outdoor instructors who has recently jumped ship from Christchurch to Auckland. Here are five facts about Joe:
Programme types: Adventure With Purpose vs Adventure Therapy
“Adventure With Purpose” and “Adventure Therapy” are the two categories that all our programmes fall under. But what is the difference between these two categories?
The Indian and the Cricket: a fable
An American Indian woman and her friend were in downtown New York, walking down a busy main street. There are people bustling around, cars honking, taxis squealing, noises from the city, whistles blowing. It’s lunchtime and it’s really busy. Suddenly, the woman says, “I can hear a cricket.”
Students helping each other
Some students from St Thomas of Canterbury College were struggling to carry this double kayak from the beach up to the vehicle, so other students went back to help.
Change for Life: a story from our Inspire programme
The adults that attend our “Inspire” programmes are all dealing with different challenges: some are dealing with crippling anxiety that makes it hard for them to leave home; some are coping with debilitating symptoms caused by trauma; some are learning to live with mental health diagnoses; some are struggling with feelings of isolation, loneliness, and disconnection made worse by covid isolation requirements.
Māori Word of the Month: piki toka
Our Māori word of the month for this month is “piki toka” which means rock climbing. It has been awesome to slowly grow our knowledge of Māori language and culture, a little bit at a time, with help from those of our staff who are willing to share their knowledge with us at our weekly staff meetings.
Surfing with Recreate
Photos from our trip surfing with Recreate NZ, an amazing charity that works with people with disabilities, offering them adventures that they might not normally get the chance to experience.
Farewell Instructor Anna!
FAREWELL INSTRUCTOR Anna Cunningham! Everyone had a LOT to say about you …
Another successful Breakaway school holiday programme
Another successful Break-Away school holiday programme! Fully funded by MSD and always fully booked, the kids had a blast going rock climbing, caving, sandboarding and swimming!
Annual Review 2021 now available
Our Annual Review 2021 is available for viewing! What is in this year's Review? Check out photos of our adventures. Browse graphics showing the number of programmes we completed, the number of...
Māori word of the month: HIRINGA
Hiringa: perseverance, energy, determination, inspiration.
Feedback from participants
“I am feeling so much better than I was before I started this course. A lot less anxious.”
Read feedback from last year’s programme participants …