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 future direction of Whenua Iti’s programmes and initiatives.
Over the past year, YLC members have contributed ideas, feedback, and lived experience to help ensure programmes remain engaging, responsive, and meaningful for young people. Through regular hui and collaborative discussions, the YLC has become an important platform for youth leadership, connection, and advocacy.
Mark Bruce-Miller, CEO of Whenua Iti Outdoors, says the impact of the YLC’s first year has reinforced the importance of placing young people at the centre of programme development.
“The Youth Leadership Council has already made a significant contribution to the way we think about youth development at Whenua Iti Outdoors. Moving into the second year, we’re excited to continue working alongside these young leaders as they help shape programmes that are relevant, inclusive, and genuinely informed by youth perspectives.
The insights, honesty, and creativity the Council members bring have been incredibly valuable. Their involvement ensures our programmes continue to evolve in ways that create meaningful opportunities and lasting impact for young people across Te Tauihu.”
The Council will continue meeting throughout the year, providing ongoing guidance and input into Whenua Iti’s youth-focused initiatives and helping strengthen connections between schools, communities, and outdoor education opportunities. The YLC will also be attending several WIO events throughout the year.
Whenua Iti extends heartfelt thanks to the secondary schools that continue to support this initiative and encourage students to step into leadership roles: Motueka High School, Waimea College, Garin College, Nelson College for Girls, Nelson College, and Golden Bay High School.
Orientation day for the new and returning YLC members saw them participate in a range of adventure based games, rock climbing and an exhilarating abseil of WIO’s famous tower at the top of the property. The team completed a lesser known abseil through a small porthole in the upper landing of the tower. The narrow entrance is designed to be used as a training exercise for future caving sessions where space is often quite limited.
The team had initially planned to hike through a section of track adjacent to the Cobb Valley but opted to spend the time getting to know each other on WIO base instead. After the team opted to sleep outdoors on the deck they enjoyed a hot breakfast which was prepared camp-style as a cookout over the fire drums.
Looking forward, the YLC will be heavily involved in the Youth Outdoor Film Competition opening night at State Cinema, Motueka as MC’s for the night which promises to be a fun event with over four thousand dollars of prizes to be given away!