Secondary School Programmes

Whenua Iti Outdoors is here to support schools in the education of rangatahi.  We provide unique experiential learning programmes that complement and enhance classroom learning.  Programmes can be tailored towards specific outcomes, the focus can vary between leadership goals, social development, technical skills, career development or may have a NCEA support focus.

Working together with schools we are able to help your rangatahi through Experiential Education to experience success, learn and grow.

Whenua Iti Manaaki Tapoi

Trades Academy Programmes

Whenua Iti Outdoors in conjunction with Top of the South Trades Academy (TOTSTA) and West Coast Trades Academy (WCTA) deliver a range of programmes to Year 11 -13 students.
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Holiday Programmes

We offer programmes during the school holidays to secondary students, some of which can also include NCEA assessments. This is a great way to get the most out of the school holidays!
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Tailored Programmes

We work with school & community groups to design & deliver bespoke programmes to meet the needs of your students - we can also build in NCEA assessments to offer educational outcomes.
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Duke of Edinburgh's Award

We support individuals & schools to participate in the Award, which inspires youth leadership & achievement. WIO are registered providers of Adventurous Journeys & Gold Residential Project.
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Nature Connection Programmes

Whenua Iti Outdoors, in partnership with local iwi and conservation groups, has developed the Kaimahi for Nature Connection (KFNC) Project which seeks to provide nature connection experiences to as many tamariki & rangatahi in schools, iwi and community groups as possible in the Top of the South, within the Kotahitanga mō te Taiao Alliance regions.

whenua-iti-qualified-instructors

Qualified Instructors

You're in safe hands. Our friendly & highly professional instructors are all industry qualified for a wide range of activities.

whenauiti-NCEA-accredited

NZQA Qualified and NCEA Aligned

We are NZQA accredited, can offer NCEA Level 1-3 assessments and all programmes align with the NZ Curriculum key competencies.

whenuaiti-safety-accredited

Safety Accredited

We put safety first. We are a registered provider of Adventure Activities with Worksafe NZ, and are Safety audit certified with OutdoorsMark.

All Secondary School Programmes

students in caving helmets outside a cave

Adventure Leadership (L1)

Build on a love of the outdoors by learning technical and practical outdoor skills in a team environment while exploring Te Tauihu. Participants have the opportunity of completing 6 Level…

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Students entering Year 11 at school in 2025
Overnight expedition format
4 days / 3 nights
  • Adventure

Activate

Have fun getting into nature with Whenua Iti Outdoors! This programme is designed to kick-start kōhine (young teenage women) on an active journey to re-connect with nature, in nature, alongside…

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Year 9 - 10 students from Nelson / Tasman
2 x Overnight residential camps
4 days / 3 nights (each camp)
  • Adventure
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Environment
tents set up on site for a camp at Whenua Iti

Environmental Action Camp

A FREE! 2-day enviro-action camp for school groups of Y9 – 11 secondary students to empower students to take positive action for te taiao. Outline of Activities The aim of…

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School groups of Year 9- 11 students, 24 - 30 students per group
Residential Camp
2 days / 1 night
  • Adventure
  • Environment

Manaaki Tāpoi Extension (Level 3)

The Manaaki Tāpoi Extension programme will strengthen participant’s understanding both of the uniqueness of Māori culture as well as the interconnectedness of Te Ao Māori.  The Manaaki Tāpoi Extension course…

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Year 12 - 13 Students
Residential block course (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Monday-Thursday)
  • Cultural
  • Tourism
  • Trades

Aotearoa Orientation

Experience and learn about Aotearoa, New Zealand through this unique, immersive cultural orientation program designed to provide students with an authentic insight into Te Ao Māori and the connection between…

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14 - 18 year old's
Overnight exploration
4 nights / 5 days
  • Cultural
  • Nature Connection

Aotearoa Adventure

Explore stunning national parks & wilderness locations in Te Tauihu (Top of the South Island) while undertaking 5 days of adventure and cultural activities. Take part in adventurous experiences that…

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15 - 18 year old's
Overnight expedition
4 nights / 5 days
  • Adventure
  • Nature Connection

West Coast Journey

Let your tamariki go on a journey of discovery with our West Coast Journey holiday programme, to explore the outdoors and discover their potential. The West Coast Journey adventure holiday…

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11 - 13 yrs & 14 - 16 yrs
Expedition Format
4 days / 3 nights
  • Adventure
  • Environment

Environmental Sustainability (Level 3)

If you enjoy being outside, being active and learning in a hands-on, practical way, then come and join our efforts to protect New Zealand’s unique biodiversity! This programme will focus…

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Year 12-13 Students
Block course format (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Mon-Thurs)
  • Environment
  • Trades

Kaitiaki Leadership (L3)

Connect to nature while developing your outdoor adventure skills in our local national parks, learning about conservation & biodiversity management to protect these taonga. Participants have the opportunity of completing…

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16 - 18 year old's
Overnight expedition format
9 days / 8 nights
  • Adventure
  • Nature Connection
  • Environment

Adventure Leadership (L2)

Build on a love of the outdoors by learning technical and practical outdoor skills in a team environment while exploring Te Tauihu. Participants have the opportunity of completing 5 Level…

> Find out more
Students entering Years 12 or 13 in 2025
Overnight expedition format
4 days / 3 nights
  • Adventure

Inspiring Leaders

Build confidence in your leadership skills with Whenua Iti Outdoors. This course is aimed at senior students who have the potential to take up school or community leadership positions for…

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Year 12 students from Nelson / Tasman
Overnight residential programme
4 days / 3 nights
  • Adventure
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Environment

Adventurous Journey – Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Join Whenua Iti Outdoors to complete all or part of your Adventurous Journey Award component on an unforgettable adventure. Venture into one of our stunning local national parks or surrounds,…

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14-16yrs*
Expedition format. Includes overnights.
4 days / 3 nights
  • Adventure
International students in Abel Tasman with Manaaki Tāpoi

Tailored Programmes – International

We can create a unique experiential learning programme for international groups that can be designed to meet your desired outcomes using a mix of cultural, environmental or outdoors-based activities. At…

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All ages
Day, multi-day and overnight programme options avaialable
Tailored to your group
  • Adventure
  • Environment
  • Cultural
  • Health & Wellbeing

Tailored Programmes – Secondary Schools

We can create a unique experiential learning programme that will be designed to meet your goals. Allow your rangatahi to access the benefits of an organised, adventurous and engaging Experiential…

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Year 9 - 13
Format to be negotiated
Format to be negotiated
  • Adventure
  • Cultural
  • Environment

Tailored Programme – Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

If you have a group of 6 or more Whenua Iti Outdoors (WIO) can tailor a programme to help you achieve your Adventurous Journey or Gold Residential components of the…

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14-18+yrs
Format to be negotiated
Format to be negotiated
  • Adventure
native bush and adventure therapy

Whaikaha (Seek Strength)

Support through Adventure Therapy at Whenua Iti Outdoors. Based on a clinical approach used by field therapists, Whaikaha programmes are a proven, life changing intervention, using an adventure therapy model.Our…

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Ages 13 - 17
1-on-1 counselling support through 2-3 sessions both before & after an intensive 7 day wilderness therapy programme
7 day wilderness programme + support
  • Adventure
  • Health & Wellbeing

First Aid Courses

First Aid skills are key life and work skills that are transferable across a range of career pathways. Whenua Iti Outdoors provides a range of First Aid courses for secondary…

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Year 11 - 13 Students
To be negotiated
Single to multi-day options
  • Adventure

Manaaki Tāpoi Advanced (Level 3)

The Manaaki Tāpoi Advanced programme will strengthen participant’s understanding both of the uniqueness of Māori culture as well as the interconnectedness of Te Ao Māori.  The course builds on the…

> Find out more
Year 12 - 13 Students
Residential block course (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Monday-Thursday)
  • Cultural
  • Tourism
  • Trades

Manaaki Tāpoi Introduction (Level 2)

Course Aim The Manaaki Tāpoi course celebrates the importance of Cultural (indigenous) Tourism. Learning will focus on key elements of Māori culture and how they are interpreted in cultural tourism…

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Year 12-13 Students
Residential block course (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Mon - Thurs)
  • Cultural
  • Tourism
  • Trades

Adventure Tourism Leadership (L3)

Take your existing outdoors skills to the next level. Build your confidence in outdoor leadership through this challenging and rewarding course. Course Aim Students will build on their existing outdoor…

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Year 13 students
Residential block course (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Mon-Thurs)
  • Adventure
  • Tourism
  • Trades

Adventure Tourism Leadership (L2)

Build on a love of the outdoors by learning technical and practical outdoor skills in a team environment. Course Aim The Adventure Tourism Leadership – Level 2 programme provides students…

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Year 12-13 students
Residential block course format (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Mon-Thurs)
  • Adventure
  • Tourism
  • Trades
tramping, Kahurangi National Park

Senior Journey

Let your tamariki go on a journey of discovery with our Senior Journey holiday programme, to explore the outdoors and discover their potential. The Senior Journey adventure holiday programme allows…

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14 - 16 yrs*
Expedition Format
4 days / 3 nights
  • Adventure
  • Environment

Adventure Skills Development (L3)

Develop your outdoor adventure skills on this programme – experience a variety of outdoor activities while on group outdoor expeditions in local national parks. Participants have the opportunity to complete…

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16 - 18 year old's
A series of 3 x 3 day expeditions
9 days / 8 nights
  • Adventure

Junior Journey

Let your tamariki go on a Journey of discovery, to explore the outdoors and discover their potential. The Junior Journey heads to the outdoor sweet spots of our region, designed…

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11 - 13 yr olds
Multi-day adventure
4 days / 3 nights
  • Adventure
  • Environment

Waka Journey

The Waka Journey programme has been designed to increase student’s self-confidence, cultural connection, and develop a strong sense of belonging. The programme will identify individual student’s strengths and build on…

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Years 9 - 11
Multi-day programme
4 days / 3 nights
  • Cultural
  • Adventure

Uniformed Services (Level 2)

Find out first hand what it’s really like to be a paramedic, a police officer and a firefighter! Course Aim: To provide students with the opportunity to explore career pathways…

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Year 12-13 students
Residential block format (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Mon-Thurs)
  • Trades

Want to find out more about a programme or have a question for us? Talk to one of our friendly team - we're happy to help.