Come on a wilderness adventure with us!

E3 is an 11-day wilderness journey for Year 12 and 13 students (aged 17-18).

Travelling as a small community through remote wilderness areas of Aotearoa New Zealand, each expedition is focussed on developing the character of participants and strengthening their connection to God, to others, and to Creation.

Through a combination of shared experiences (back-country cooking, camping, participation in citizen science projects and practical conservation, etc.) as well as daily discussions and solo time, we will explore how we fit into God’s story and reflect on what this might mean for the next season of your life.

QUICK FACTS

WHO?

All the E3 expeditions are for Year 12 and 13 students (age 17-18) with a desire to experience God’s Creation.

The only exception is E3 Young Adults which is for an older group (age 19-25).

WHAT?

The E3 Expeditions are 11-day wilderness journeys in different locations around Aotearoa New Zealand (see locations below).

Note: E3 Young Adults is a slightly shorter 7-day journey.

WHERE?

North Island locations: E3 Bay of Islands, E3 Central North Island

South Island locations: E3 Canterbury, E3 Otago

Location changes each year: E3 Young Adults (for 19-25 year olds)

See specific locations below.

WHEN?

E3 expeditions run in mid-December each year. 

E3 Young Adults runs in February each year.

See sepcific dates below.

WHY?

The purpose of all the E3 journeys is to experience wilderness, develop character, and strengthen your connection with God, with others, and with God’s Creation. Read more below.

What happens on E3?

All our E3 expeditions involve a journey through remote wilderness areas of Aotearoa New Zealand. In our small group, we travel by biking, tramping, and kayaking (or rafting).

Where does each E3 expedition go?

In the South Island, E3 Canterbury tramps through the Lewis Pass high country and then undertakes a multi-day rafting expedition down the Waiau Toa/Clarence River. E3 Otago will scale alpine passes in Aspiring National Park and then sea kayak across Lake Wanaka.

In the North Island, E3 Bay of Islands starts with a pōwhiri at Waitangi, in respect for the whenua and moana nui that we will travel on. The journey continues with sea kayaking, tramping to Cape Brett, then mountain biking south along the coast of Northland until we reach Northland. E3 Central North Island starts with a 2-day tramp through Tongariro National Park, covering dense forest and glacier-fed rivers, before heading to the Whanganui River for a 3-day canoe adventure, with some mountain biking to finish the journey from the mountains to the sea.

E3 Young Adults mixes it up each year, with the 2025 expedition heading for the stunning Nelson Lakes National Park in Marlborough Sounds.

Find out specific dates and prices below.

LOCATIONS

E3 has an exciting variety of different expeditions all over Aotearoa New Zealand! Choose from these locations:

NORTH ISLAND

E3 Bay of Islands

E3 Central North Island

SOUTH ISLAND

E3 Canterbury

E3 Otago

LOCATION CHANGES EACH YEAR

E3 Young Adults (aged 19+)

What is E3 about?

E3 is a partnership between Adventure Specialties Trust, Scripture Union New Zealand, and A Rocha Aotearoa.

At E3 Ministries, we believe that wilderness experiences are significant – helping us to understand ourselves better and deepening our relationships with God, with others and with God’s Creation. 

E3 Bay of Islands

Watch this 2-minute video about E3 Bay of Islands to get an idea of what this amazing expedition looks like!

INTERESTED?

If you would like to know more about any of the E3 expeditions, please contact Scripture Union New Zealand (email camps@sunz.org.nz or free phone 0800 782 2677) or visit the E3 website.