Youth Leadership Council
Whenua Iti Outdoors recently formed the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) with representation from a wide range of colleges in the Nelson Tasman and Golden Bay area. The formation of the YLC is part of Whenua Iti’s ongoing commitment to co-designing programmes that are relevant, inclusive, and empowering. The YLC builds on existing mechanisms to ensure that youth voice is at the center of developing our programmes.
YLC members are ambassadors for Whenua Iti in the community and within their respective schools.
Youth Voice
Whenua Iti is committed to ensuring that youth development programmes are co-designed with local youth.
"The Youth Leadership Council has been established to help shape the future of youth development programmes at Whenua Iti Outdoors, ensuring that the voices and perspectives of young people continue to be at the centre of what we do. Their insights and experiences will be invaluable in guiding our thinking for future programme development and making our programmes even more impactful.
We are excited to see how these young leaders will inform the next chapter of experiential education at Whenua Iti Outdoors and create lasting positive impact for youth across Te Tauihu.”
Mark Bruce-Miller, CEO Whenua Iti Outdoors
Supporters
Motueka High School
Waimea College
Garin College
Nayland College
Nelson College
Golden Bay High School
Youth Leadership Council members in action
“I have always been in admiration of Whenua Iti, this admiration began years ago when participating in various programmes in my school holidays, and it only grew as I entered my teenage years, where I witnessed the positive impact that this incredible organisation has on our community.
Whenua Iti has personally provided me with amazing opportunities to expand my confidence through the use of the outdoors, more recently also providing me with specific skills in regard to how I lead through their 2024 Inspiring Leaders Camp.
The ability to give back to Whenua Iti Outdoors as a member of their Youth Leadership Council is amazing, Whenua Iti Outdoors has done so much for my own development, along with my wider community.
All members of the Youth Leadership Council have an incredibly staunch desire to provide a refreshing youth voice to the Whenua Iti Organisation, and work in co-ordinated action to do so. All of us are incredibly excited to do so, with all of us being likeminded in our wishes to give back to an organisation that breathes so much life into our community.”
- Youth Leadership Council member, 2025
Thanks to funding support from:
Secondary Schools Programmes
Interested in our programmes? Download a copy of our secondary school programmes brochure to see the number of ways young people can take part in Whenua Iti Outdoors to support their learning journey.
Be Part of their Journey
Every act of generosity can create a ripple of positive change. By supporting our kaupapa, you’re empowering rangatahi to grow, connect, and thrive through the life-changing experiences of outdoor experiential learning.
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.