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 into a mix of challenging outdoor activities, designed to build self-awareness, communication skills, emotional intelligence and connection to the environment. Participants tackled the Whenua Iti high ropes courses, a Canaan Downs orienteering circuit and a caving challenge.
For Briar, the programme pushed her limits in the best ways. “We went caving, which was really cool. I’ve never been caving before, so that was great learning. It definitely pushed my limits, but the instructors were awesome and reassuring,” she shared.
This was a sentiment shared by Darina who discovered newfound confidence within herself. “Caving was a specific highlight. It really pushed me because I’ve never done anything like that before. I genuinely thought I couldn’t do it, but here I am! It taught me a lot – you don’t know what you can’t do until you try it!”
But it’s not just about physical challenges. The programme includes workshops and discussions on different leadership styles, with opportunities to put this knowledge into practice.
During an orienteering circuit at Canaan Downs, each participant had a chance to lead the group, run an ABL game, and give and receive constructive feedback. Eli reflected, “it was great learning about different leadership styles and seeing how they actually work between different people and groups.” These are skills that will be relevant beyond the programme too. “I coach junior volleyball,” he says, “it’s helped me figure out the best way to help them, engage them, and support them to cooperate.”
Inspiring Leaders focuses on supporting outcomes, such as confidence and resilience, that have a positive influence for participants and their communities long after the programme ends. “These are really versatile skills,” Briar says. “I’m more confident. I think it has given me more strategies to deal and cope with adult life moving forwards.”
Madison reflects on how the connections she’s made with other participants have been a source of strength. “When I first got here it was really nerve-racking,” she says, “but I’ve made lots of new friends. Now I’m more confident. It made me think I could actually be a leader.”
Darina reflects on how her mindset has changed over the course of the programme. “Give anything a go. Even if you’re scared, you’re going to have a great time. You don’t know until you try.”
Eli agrees, “not knowing what to expect can be a good thing.”
The programme finished with a tree planting activity that the Inspiring Leaders participants ran with the Go Wild participants (7–10 year olds). This involved teaching the younger children how to plant native tree species in a riparian planting zone.
Upon completion, the participants unanimously campaigned for adding an extra day to the programme – we think that says it all! Here’s to a world with more capable, compassionate and courageous young leaders!
A warm mihi of thanks to the funders who enabled this programme: Nelson City Council, Golden Bay Community Trust and the Ministry of Youth Development. For more details, visit Whenua Iti Outdoors – Inspiring Leaders.