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 personal development across some of the most remarkable landscapes in the top of the South Island.
After international arrival into Auckland, participants continued to Nelson which is the gateway to Te TauIhu / Top of the South Island. Upon arrival, the ExpedNZ team welcomed the group and headed to Whenua Iti Outdoors’ base in Lower Moutere.
The journey began with a mihi whakatau, a formal welcome process that sets the tone for the programme ahead. Sharing kai (food) together helped everyone settle into local time and begin forming connections within the group.
Day two moved from welcome into action. An early start saw the group travel to Kaiteretere for a waka journey along the coastline of Abel Tasman National Park. From the water, participants took in golden beaches, native bush, and landmarks such as Tokangawhā Split Apple Rock, gaining insight into both the natural and cultural significance of the area.
Once the kayak leg was complete the group headed back to Whenua Iti’s base where participants took part in adventure based learning activities designed to build trust, communication, and confidence. High ropes and tower climbs challenged individuals to step outside their comfort zones while being supported by their peers, setting a strong foundation for the expedition days that followed.
Days three to five were spent on a two night sea kayaking journey within Abel Tasman National Park. Traveling along the coastline, the group paddled to remote beach campsites, explored lagoons and waterfalls, and developed practical expedition skills. The Abel Tasman is a place of cultural importance. Participants learned about conservation projects led in partnership with local iwi.
Images c/o @turquoiseoctober_
Cultural learning came to the forefront on day six with an overnight stay at Te Āwhina Marae. Participants took part in a pōwhiri, a formal welcome ceremony that brought visitors and hosts together through shared ritual, speech, and food. Throughout the day and evening tutors facilitated workshops exploring local hītori, purakau which share cultural knowledge through storytelling, and Māori tīkanga (values and protocols). Sleeping side by side under a shared roof was an important part of the marae experience and encouraged reflection, respect and collective responsibility.
The journey then continued west over Tākaka Hill into Mohua Golden Bay. An overnight hike in Kahurangi National Park offered a return to wilderness, with participants applying bush skills and deepening their connection to the environment. The following day included visits to some of Mohua Golden Bay’s most significant sites. Waikoropupu Springs, the largest freshwater spring in New Zealand, which is wāhi tapu and taonga (sacred) for local Māori. Wharariki Beach, within the Wharariki Ecosanctuary, showcased large scale restoration efforts and successful reintroduction of endangered species.
Day ten introduced one of the most memorable challenges of the program: caving. Guided through an underground cave system beneath Tākaka Hill, participants navigated darkness, tight spaces and unfamiliar terrain of ‘Irvines Cave’. For many, this was well outside their comfort zone. However, caving consistently rates as a highlight in post-course reflections. Mostly this is due to the sense of achievement, teamwork, and problem solving it required, as well as the unique opportunity to learn about geology and underground ecosystems.
The final full day brought the group back to Nelson for a visit to the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. This predator free reserve provided a powerful example of conservation in action and offered close encounters with native species such as the tuatara. The program concluded with a poroporoaki, a traditional farewell, and a final debrief that invited participants to reflect on their learning and growth.
Images c/o: @turquoiseoctober_
On the final morning, the group departed Nelson carrying far more than memories. They left with strengthened relationships, new perspectives, and a deeper understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand’s landscapes, cultures, and values. This journey was not just about where they went, but how they grew along the way.
Images c/o: @turquoiseoctober_
Image c/o: @turquoiseoctober_
In keeping with the not-for-profit, charitable mandate of Whenua Iti Outdoors, 100% of any associated revenue generated through the ExpedNZ programs is directed straight into a community fund for the provision of experiential learning programs in support of the youth of our region.