Programme Outcomes
A Focus on Wellbeing
At Adventure Specialties Trust, all of our programmes focus on hauora/wellbeing.
We define wellbeing as a holistic state where we can thrive physically, mentally, socially, spiritually and in relation to the land and the natural environment. It's about having the energy to engage full in life, with the mindset to navigate challenges and celebrate successes. We have strong connections with others, a clear sense of identity and purpose, and a deep relationship with nature.
Wellbeing is the foundation for living a meaningful and balanced life.
Wellbeing Framework
When we are designing our programmes, we use a wellbeing framework based on Te Whare Tapa Whā (the house with four walls).
Te Whare Tapa Whā is a Māori model of holistic health developed by Sir Mason Durie, a renowned psychiatrist, professor of Māori Studies and advocate of Māori hauora/wellbeing.
Each of the four walls of Te Whare Tapa Whā (described below) is an important part of hauora/wellbeing. At Adventure Specialties Trust, we weave these wellbeing 'walls' into our programmes in a variety of ways.
TE WHARE TAPA WHĀ
TAHA TINANA / Physical Wellbeing
Our Taha Tinana allows us to feel healthy, energetic, motivated, and physically capable of pursuing activities that bring joy, connection, and satisfaction to our days.
HOW THIS LOOKS IN THE OUTDOORS:
Outdoor activities challenge and strengthen our bodies, promoting fitness, resilience and confidence. Physical movement, especially outdoors in nature, supports overall health, wellbeing and energy levels.
TAHA WHĀNAU / Social Wellbeing
Taha Whānau is about feeling a sense of belonging, connection and confidence in our relationships with others. It includes a belief that people can be kind, trustworthy and safe, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with others.
HOW THIS LOOKS IN THE OUTDOORS:
Adventure builds teamwork, trust and belonging. Shared challenges strengthen relationships and provide a supportive space for growth, healing and connection.
TAHA HINENGARO / Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
Our Taha Hinengaro allows us to feel balanced, hopeful, and positive about the future, with the capacity to navigate life’s challenges and celebrate its joys while nurturing a sense of self-compassion and self-worth.
HOW THIS LOOKS IN THE OUTDOORS:
Time in nature reduces stress and enhances mental clarity, emotional resilience and self-awareness. Adventure activities encourage participants to challenge themselves which helps them develop courage and self-confidence.
TAHA WAIRUA / Spiritual Wellbeing
Taha Wairua is about feeling a strong sense of self, identity, and connection to our faith, beliefs, culture, values, and purpose. It provides a foundation of meaning and direction.
HOW THIS LOOKS IN THE OUTDOORS:
Being outdoors in nature fosters a sense of wonder, connection and purpose. Outdoor experiences deepen spiritual awareness, whether through faith, nature or personal reflection.
TE WHENUA / The Land
Te Whenua is the foundation of Te Whare Tapa Whā. Connection to Te Whenua is about a sense of belonging in te taiao, the natural world, and drawing on that connection to support our wellbeing. It includes experiencing awe and wonder in natural spaces, fostering a sense of responsibility to protect and care for the Earth.
Programme Outcomes
How do we know if we have had a positive impact on our participants?
At the end of our programmes, we ask participants to fill in an 'Outcomes Evaluation' form, so that we can measure the impact of our programme on their hauora/wellbeing. At the end of each year, we analyse the results to see where participants have experienced personal growth, and where we can improve our services to support them better.
Read our annual Impact reports to see the stats and read about the positive impact that our programmes have on the participants.
Interested?
Get in touch!
If you think that a wellbeing-focused outdoor adventure programme might benefit you and your group, we would love to hear from you. Fill in the Programme Enquiry form below or contact us to have a no-obligation chat about what you are looking for and how we might be able to help.
Online form
Fill in our online form (below) and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Call Auckland
Talk to Jeff, our Operations Manager in Auckland.
Call Christchurch
Talk to Andy, our Operations Manager in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Email Auckland
Email Jeff, our Operations Manager in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Email Christchurch
Email Andy, our Operations Manager in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Problems with this form? Please contact our Comms/Website person (comms@adventurespecialties.co.nz)
Keep in touch
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Every week, we share stories and photos and videos from our recent outdoor adventure/wellbeing programmes, as well as advertise upcoming programmes, job vacancies and internship opportunities. Sign up to our newsletter (at the bottom of this page) or follow us on social media:
“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.”
—Fydor Dostoyevsky