Course details

Summary

Gain the skills required to safely and effectively lead and instruct groups in New Zealand’s great outdoors

Programme Overview

The Diploma in Outdoor Adventure is a full time programme, based out of our Kāpiti Campus. Train as a multi-activity instructor to maximise your work opportunities

Outdoor adventure provides the opportunity to explore personal goals and the skills to start a career in an exciting, challenging and rewarding industry. Students will learn about who they are and how to confidently facilitate and teach others in the natural environment, as well as increase their own skills.​​​

Programme Outline

Specialist activities

Students will study bush craft, rock climbing and kayaking and develop their skills to the level of a novice instructor.

Managing safety

Throughout the year, students are given more responsibility for leading individuals and groups in adventurous activities. The priority is to always manage risk and run group activities safely. Students will work directly with schools and youth groups under the supervision of qualified and experienced tutors.

Outdoor instruction

Students will be trained and assessed in all aspects of instructing groups in the outdoors, from planning and access, through to risk management and site selection, to creating and delivering effective lessons and having a back-up plan in case things go wrong.

Work experience

In addition to running sessions for local groups, students will spend several weeks in work placement over the year. This typically involves how the workplace is run, shadowing an experienced member of staff and taking on some responsibility.

Adventures across the north and into the south

Students will experience challenging adventures and a variety of terrain. Rock-climbing around Taupo, sea kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds, tramping in the Tararuas or the Central Plateau, and experiences on central North Island rivers are a taste of what is offered.

Whitireia is an assessment centre for the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA), allowing students to gain one or more NZOIA Leader awards during the year, adding real value to their qualification and boosting their job prospects.

Entry criteria

Certificate in Outdoor Adventure or equivalent qualification/skills/work experience

International students

Proven equivalence to domestic entry requirements and IELTS 5.5 (no band lower than 5.0)