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.
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Concept work for the centre began in 2024 following an internal review of the existing climbing facilities on the abseil tower. Construction of stage one was completed on schedule in late 2025 at a cost of just under $250,000.
Funding for stage one was generously provided by Tūpiki Trust, Tasman District Council, the Lotteries Commission through the Department of Internal Affairs, the Whenua Iti Outdoors Trust and private donors.
CEO Mark Bruce-Miller says the all-weather design was a critical driver of the project.
“Outdoor learning does not stop when the weather turns. This facility allows us to deliver high quality climbing experiences consistently, regardless of conditions,” he says. “That reliability matters for our schools, our participants and our staff. This new facility means our programmes can keep their momentum rather than being compromised by rain or wind.”
The new centre features multiple internal climbing walls, each approximately nine metres high, and is thought to be one of the largest open air outdoor climbing centres in Aotearoa. It has been designed to provide shelter from the elements, replace ageing wooden climbing surfaces with modern holds and enable routes to be easily changed to suit a wide range of abilities. The design also includes multiple top rope anchors to allow several climbers to be on the wall at once, with the option to add lead climbing routes for more advanced participants.
WIO works with more than 4,000 participants each year through its outdoor education and youth development programmes. Around half of all participants come from Tasman, with many others travelling from Nelson, Marlborough, the West Coast and from across Aotearoa.
WIO’s impact is reflected in strong programme outcomes, including a 99 percent NCEA credit pass rate across its assessed programmes. Recent participant surveys show that 91 percent felt Whenua Iti Outdoors programmes had a positive impact on their attitude, while 70 percent agreed that time away from their phone was a positive part of the experience.
Bruce-Miller says the project would not have been possible without the support of funders and donors.
“We are incredibly grateful to Tūpiki Trust, Tasman District Council, the Lotteries Commission and our private donors for backing this vision,” he says. “Their support has created a facility that will benefit thousands of young people and communities for many years to come.”
Stage two of the climbing centre development will include the construction of two additional internal walls. Funding is currently being sought from a range of sources to complete this next phase.
While the climbing centre is designed to support existing programmes, public access is being actively developed. It is expected this will initially be offered through a series of open days each year, with relevant safety systems and policies currently being developed to support public bookings by prior arrangement. The new climbing centre represents both an investment in the quality of its programmes and a long-term asset for the wider region.
