The Youth Leadership Council (YLC) is now entering its second year as part of Whenua Iti Outdoors’ ongoing commitment to co-designing programmes that are relevant, inclusive, and empowering for rangatahi across Te Tauihu. Building on the strong foundations established during its inaugural year, the YLC continues to provide valuable youth voice and insight into the […]

We recently opened the Climbing Centre at Whenua Iti which has been generously supported by Tūpiki Trust, Tasman District Council and the Lotteries Commission (DIA). We’re now launching WIO ‘Summit Sessions’ which are a chance to experience indoor climbing in a supportive, professionally guided environment while not being on a WIO programme. Summit Sessions are no-cost, […]

This year marks a special milestone at Whenua Iti Outdoors. Tutor Charlie Martin has celebrated 25 years with the organisation, a quarter century spent helping young people discover confidence, resilience and a connection to the outdoors. For Charlie, the path into outdoor education began with a simple motivation. “I came to the outdoor industry because […]

Whenua Iti Outdoors enjoyed the opportunity to host Hon James Meager, Minister for Youth, for a visit to our grounds in Upper Moutere. Minister Meager spent the afternoon touring the property with our CEO, Mark Bruce-Miller. He then joined an energetic group of Waimea Intermediate students as they took part in an Adventure Based Learning activity designed to learn through challenge, teamwork and fun.  The visit was a rare opportunity […]

Whenua Iti Outdoors (WIO) has officially opened a new purpose-built climbing centre marking a major milestone in WIO’s 40th year of operation. The Climbing Centre has been developed to support growing demand for high quality outdoor climbing experiences across Whenua Iti programmes, while also laying the groundwork for greater community access in the future.  Article: The Press – Rock […]

Traveling to Aotearoa New Zealand is more than simply arriving in a new country. It is an invitation to slow down, connect deeply with place, people, and culture, and to experience learning through challenge, adventure, and reflection. This twelve day ExpedNZ programme is designed to do exactly that, blending outdoor exploration with cultural immersion and […]

Programme date: December 2025 Alongside the Amputee Society Top of the South we hosted the second edition of the ‘Stump & Limb Difference Camp’ which welcomed young people with limb difference from across Aotearoa for three days of connection, challenge and fun. Building on the success of last year, the camp continued to provide a […]

Our latest Adventure Skills Development (ASD) Level 3 programme brought together a group of keen young people for a full immersion outdoor experience across the wild and beautiful landscapes of Te Tauihu, the Top of the South Island. Over the course of the programme, participants pushed themselves physically and mentally, built practical outdoor skills and […]

We recently welcomed our second BCITO group to Whenua Iti Outdoors for a four-day programme designed specifically for Māori apprentices. BCITO were looking for an experience that blended outdoor learning with Kaupapa Māori delivery, tikanga, and mātauranga Māori. Our team co-developed a custom programme with BCITO called ‘Mana Whakatipu, Mana Tangata’. The programme drew on […]

Whenua Iti Outdoors (WIO) is proud to announce a new two-year sponsorship agreement with Port Nelson Limited (PNL), strengthening opportunities for young people across Te Tauihu (Top of the South Island)  The two-year partnership will see Port Nelson contribute $10,000 annually to support youth programmes delivered by Whenua Iti Outdoors. A key focus of the […]

Link: Have your say on the proposed changes We are deeply concerned by the Ministry of Education’s recent announcement that Outdoor Education will be removed from the senior school general subject list, reclassifying it solely as a limited vocational option to be developed by a future Service Industry Skills Body. Mark Bruce-Miller, CEO of Whenua […]

Whenua Iti Outdoors (WIO) has been engaged by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to deliver the Enhanced Taskforce Green (ETFG) programme, managing two clean-up crews in Tasman’s flood recovery. The ETFG is a government-funded initiative supporting communities in the wake of major emergency events. This follows the recent record-breaking rainfall and severe flooding across the Nelson Tasman region […]

“Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata” — When the land is well, the people will be well. This whakataukī resonated throughout Ngā Ara ki te Taiao, a four-day wānanga hosted by Whenua Iti Outdoors in Motueka this July. Despite the downpour and flood warnings, the wānanga brought together passionate kaimahi from across Aotearoa’s […]

At Whenua Iti Outdoors, we believe in the power of experiential learning to not only create memorable experiences but also to build essential life and work skills. We recognise the importance of giving rangatahi opportunities to grow in environments that build resilience, self-awareness, and key life skills. Linked to the Ministry of Education’s Employability Skills […]

Whenua Iti Outdoors (WIO) was honoured to receive the Community Impact Award at the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce Business Awards at a glittering event on Friday night attended by over 300 people from the region’s top businesses. This award is a testament to the transformative impact of experiential outdoor education and leadership development that […]

At 75 years young, Hazel Nash continues to exemplify visionary leadership. Her legacy as the founder of Whenua Iti Outdoors (WIO) reflects a lifetime dedicated to empowering individuals and strengthening communities through outdoor education.   It was a dream of self-sufficiency that motivated Hazel to move to a block of land in Lower Moutere. Shocked […]

Whenua Iti Outdoors’ founder, Hazel Nash, was awarded the prestigious ‘Te Tohu Manu Kura – Supreme Award’ at the Recreation Aotearoa Te Whai Oranga Outdoors & Recreation Awards event held last night in Auckland.   The award recognises Hazel’s exceptional contribution to outdoor education, environmental stewardship, and her tireless advocacy for the wellbeing of rangatahi (youth) […]

Whenua Iti Outdoors’ recent Kaitiaki Leadership programme provided a unique opportunity for 11 students (aged 16 to 18) to develop essential leadership skills through nature connection and stewardship.  Delivered in partnership with the Mōkihinui-Lyell Backcountry Trust and based at their Rough and Tumble Bush Lodge on the doorstep of the Kahurangi National Park, the nine-day, […]

For three years now, Whenua Iti has been running the Employment and Life Skills (ELS) programme with rangatahi from the West Coast. Run in partnership with the West Coast Trades Academy, this programme supports young people to build confidence and life skills for the next stages of life beyond school.   Delivered over six short […]

Whenua Iti’s Inspiring Leaders programme is an immersive and dynamic learning journey, bringing together Year 12 students from the Nelson/Tasman region. The programme is run each July and is designed to cultivate leadership through adventure and self-discovery. This year’s participants reflect on the empowering experience.  Over four days and three nights, this year’s students were thrown […]

In today’s increasingly digital world, where screens dominate our daily lives, the simple act of playing outside holds more significance than ever for children. Outdoor play isn’t just about fun and games—it’s a crucial aspect of childhood development that nurtures physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. At Whenua Iti Outdoors, we see this benefit every day […]

LandSAR is a national volunteer organisation which provides land search and rescue assistance to the lost, missing and injured across New Zealand. With its natural philosophical and skills-based alignment to our outdoor activities, Whenua Iti Outdoors supports staff who volunteer for LandSAR. We interview instructor Rosey Joyce about why she volunteers for LandSAR.  Instructor Rosey […]