A mix of adventure, personal challenge, education and the outdoors help people to develop and grow.
Our Mission Statement
It is our mission to encourage the holistic development of individuals through outdoor experiences.
Triple Bottom Line Report
Each year Whenua Iti Outdoors produces a triple bottom line report that looks at our performance over the past 12 months.
Click here to look at this report.
In the beginning there was one woman with a dream. In the early 1980s Hazel Nash started working from her 7.5 hectares of land in Lower Moutere to use her skills, time, and land for the holistic development of others, particularly young people. She gathered friends and benefactors and began running courses with a homespun approach, using volunteer tutors, donated equipment, private homes and a hay barn.
In 1986 Whenua Iti Outdoors became a registered charitable trust. In 1998 Hazel was awarded the NZ Order of Merit for Services to Youth. We have now worked with over 18,000 people, keeping the spirit of Whenua Iti alive in our philosophy and guiding principles.
At the Top of New Zealand's South Island in the Nelson/Tasman region we have got it all - high sunshine hours and three National Parks: Kahurangi, Abel Tasman and Nelson Lakes.
This region is a natural playground for every type of outdoor recreational activity, offering unique natural landscapes from oceans, rocky or snow-clad mountains, crystal clear rivers, superb native forest and beautifully sculptured limestone caves. We hold concessions to use the DOC estate for our activities.
While we enjoy, play and educate in the outdoors we respect and protect the environment and have made environmental education part of our programmes.
The board
Penny Molnar joined the Board in 1994 Chairman since Nov 2009. I have been a Community Development worker in the Nelson region for many years. I am particularly passionate about the role the outdoor environment can have on uplifting people's lives, especially when introduced and led by skilled and committed leaders. Whenua Iti always manages to attract such people. My first comprehensive outdoor adventures were with a women's group lead by a Whenua Iti tutor. I was on a 'high' for weeks afterwards.
Hazel Nash (founder) has a background in teaching and the police. Her initial role was as the Outdoor Pursuits Director. In 2000 Hazel resigned from the staff as a tutor but maintains an active interest in Whenua Iti and remains on the Board. She was awarded the NZ Order of Merit (ONZM) for Services to Youth in 1998.
Chris Clenshaw born in England in 1943 migrated to western Australia in 1969, married Eleanor a kiwi, in Perth 1971. Has 2 great children now 28 and 30 both living in Aussie.
Business wise: spent 42 years in the Real Estate industry. Specialised in commercial and industrial development and syndicated investment. Qualified Land economist and Valuer Fellow Society Valuers and Land economists. In Nelson, partner in First National Real estate Group with 5 officers. Sold business 2002.
Interests: Trout and sea fishing, rugby, the great outdoors, business mentoring. Councilor of Fish and Game Board NZ. Board member of Whenua Iti Trust.
Brigid Ryan specialises in project management and research on social and economic development, especially at the local government/regional level. Up until 2000, she was involved for five years with the Bertlesmann 'Cities in Tomorrow' project, meeting regularly with more than 100 representatives of central and local government agencies from Europe, U.S, Japan, Scandanavia and U.K to discuss issues for youth, seniors and employment/regional economic development.
Brigid managed employment services for Canterbury Development Corporation for six years in Christchurch and was instrumental in establishing the Actionworks youth employment programme as well as the Third Age Foundation focusing on isssues for older workers.
Brigid completed the Social Wellbeing Priorities report for Nelson City in 2002 and has just completed the 'Settling In Nelson Tasman' report on social services needs for migrants and refugees settling in this region. Her degree in Education from Canterbury University focused on social equity issues. She has 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren and lives with her husband on a lifestyle block in Mapua.
Rod Markham University of Canterbury BE (Mechanical) Formerly property Manager Otago Polytechnic 2000-2007, moved to Motueka in 2007 and built a home in the Lower Moutere valley. Rod is married with 3 daughters. Rod enjoys cycling, kayaking and sailing as a way to see more of New Zealand and has been involved in multisport events including the Southern Traverse and Coast to Coast. Rod is past president of the Rotary Club of Dunedin and until recently member of the Board of Presbyterian Support Otago.
Tom Speers joined the Board in 2010 and is enjoying the challenge. Tom graduated with a degree in Physical Education, then pursued his passion of Outdoor Education. He has worked in a variety of roles in the outdoors from raft guiding, working with unemployed youth, and culminating in an Instructor/Duty Manager role at Outward Bound NZ. Tom is a firm believer that using outdoor activities as a medium is an effective way of providing positive value forming experiences for all, and especially our youth. He is currently studying to become a Secondary School teacher in Physical Education and Health, and Outdoor Education.
Al Rynn has had various careers in the outdoor instruction and tourism sectors starting in the early 1980's before becoming retrained as a Registered Comprehensive Nurse (Dip. Comp. Nursing) in the late 1980's.
In early 1994 he returned to NZ having worked in Australia starting Southern Exposure Sea Kayaking the same year. I n 1999 the business relocated to Marahau and evolved to include a water taxi company and backpackers. The sea kayaking and water taxi side of the business was sold to Ngai Tahu Tourism in 2007 and Al went on to become Ngai Tahu's Regional General Manager for their Marahau and Kaiteriteri based tourism businesses following its sale.
He has been involved with instruction of a wide range of groups over the last 20 years including mountaineering, sea kayaking, and general outdoor skills and risk management and was actively involved in creating professional guides qualifications and assessment for the commercial sea kayaking sector (SKOANZ) and has also completed accident investigations for Maritime NZ.
Married to Catherine with two daughters, Tarn (16) and Francesca (14) and in his spare time enjoys cycling, sea kayaking, skiing and mentoring businesses.
Currently he works with Catherine running their backpackers based in Marahau where they have lived for the past 12 years.
The staff
Michelle MacNeil is the General Manager, her vision is for Whenua Iti to continue assisting at-risk youths and adults who are looking to 'find themselves and a path to follow' but simultaneously to open the doors wider to families and children, business team development and all Nelson/Tasman residents so they too can experience the magnificence of the outdoors with the help, guidance and expertise of its highly experienced and fully qualified leaders.Rae Dozell is passionate about protecting our Natural Environment for future generations. "I love working for Whenua Iti Outdoors because I believe it teaches respect for the environment and encourages individuals to reach their potential through a range of challenging outdoor activities. I enjoy spending time exploring our National Parks and encouraging others to get out there and have a go, as they say every journey starts with one small step."
Charlie Martin our Operations Manager has been involved in teaching outdoor pursuits for the last 15 years. I began my working career in the office but soon realised that my passion lay in being in the hills and sharing the outdoors with others. I love living in the Nelson region and totally enjoy the work I do at Whenua Iti.
Johnny Johnson has done almost everything the outdoor sector offers from working as a ski-field lifty to tutoring at Outward Bound. His passions are kayaking and climbing and he loves working in the outdoor environment.
Karen Bruce despite growing up in the U.K, New Zealand is home and in particular Nelson and the playgrounds this region offers. "I enjoy sharing the outdoor environment with others. Time on the tops is special and time on the water is great fun. If it's not a day of R & R at home, then you'll find me out there, working or playing".
Lizz Conroy is passionate about working and playing in the fabulous playground of Nelson: "In my life I have enthusiastically (mostly) embraced change, knowing that there is so much in the world that is exciting, fulfilling and most importantly, FUN. And when I can be part of encouraging others to seek growth and change, that is such a gift."
Catharine Wood "I strongly believe in the benefits of learning and personal development in an environment outside the classroom. I am excited to assist in providing this opportunity to people in our region." With two young children of her own she is passionate about providing them with opportunities to experience our wonderful ready-made outdoor playground.
Dougal Pollock Dougal has worked at Whenua iti since 2004 bringing 4 years of instructing at Outward Bound. Dougal set up the True North youth course which he ran for a couple of years, before handing it on to fresher hands. Currently he works part time, running five, week long Journeys per year for secondary school youth, in his words "I love this work!" Dougal also delivers school day bookings and corporate teambuilding. When not at Whenua Iti, he does the odd stint for an American outdoor school-working 30 day wilderness trips in Wyoming and NZ. Not one to sit around, he also runs a couple of small businesses- one is Bokashi Boost, the other Steamboat Billy, the worlds smallest jet boat!
All tutors are industry qualified and passionate about delivering outstanding experiences that make a difference. By using trained professionals Whenua Iti Outdoors maintains its excellent safety systems and record.
Our patron Nathan Fa'avae, multi-sport champion
In the winter of 1988, a 16 year old arrived at Whenua Iti Outdoors for a 12 week course for youth. This was the beginning of a life changing journey that would lead to becoming the Patron of Whenua Iti, some 16 years later:"Whenua Iti Outdoors taught me 3 major lessons: It opened the door for me into the wilderness, I learnt to be a good person and the true meaning of hard work. These 3 lessons have become my life."
