Whenua Iti Outdoors

What Whenua Iti Outdoors does

Whenua Iti Outdoors (legally Whenua Iti Trust Inc.) is a New Zealand charitable trust founded in 1986 by Hazel Nash, headquartered at a 375 Main Road campus in Upper Moutere, Tasman, and now in its 40th year of operation. It delivers outdoor education and experiential learning programmes focused on personal and social development for primary and secondary school students, corporate and professional groups, international students, and community organisations across the Nelson Tasman (Te Tauihu) and West Coast (Te Tai Poutini) regions, with international reach through its wholly-owned ExpedNZ subsidiary. The product surface spans more than 40 programmes across nine categories — Primary, Secondary, Trades Academy (NCEA Level 1–3 accredited), Professional, Holiday, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, International (ExpedNZ), Community & Wellbeing, and West Coast — plus a newly opened purpose-built Climbing Centre and free Summit Sessions. Underlying capability is human-led: qualified outdoor instructors deliver a proprietary experiential learning methodology grounded in kaupapa Māori, underpinned by a comprehensive Safety Management System audited annually by Qualworx NZ under the OutdoorsMark and WorkSafe NZ Adventure Activity Operator (AAO No. 177) regimes, with NZQA accreditation for formal credit-bearing assessment.

Name

Whenua Iti Outdoors

Legal name

Whenua Iti Trust Inc.

Website

https://whenuaiti.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Whenua Iti Outdoors is a 40-year-old New Zealand charitable trust delivering NZQA-accredited outdoor education and experiential learning programmes across primary, secondary, professional, and community segments in the Nelson Tasman, West Coast, and international (ExpedNZ) markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Education Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor Education & Adventure Programs (School-Run) (EDAJAJAJ), School Group & Curriculum-Led Trips (THAKAGAB), Youth Adventure Camps & Summer Programs (THAAAOAB), Instructor-Led Skills Academies (Climbing, Paddling, Mountaineering Schools) (THAAAOAI)

Keywords

• Outdoor education
• Experiential learning
• Adventure programmes
• Youth leadership
• Cultural tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Upper Moutere

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Trades Academy Programmes: Fully funded by Ministry of Education for students from TOTSTA and WCTA partner schools. Zero cost to students from partner schools. Courses contribute to NCEA credits and provide experiential learning opportunities.
2. Professional Programmes: Fee-for-service professional development and team building programmes for corporate and community groups. Pricing from $285pp for day programmes to $3,500 for full day groups up to 24 people.
3. Holiday and Community Programmes: School holiday programmes and community wellbeing programmes for youth aged 5-18+, with some funding support available through various grants and fundraising guidance.
4. Site and Facility Hire: Climbing wall hire and facility hire services, including instructor hiring options. Commercial hire for team building and social functions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Whenua Iti Outdoors delivers outdoor education and personal development programmes through experiential learning and adventure activities. Programmes span primary and secondary schools (including NZQA-accredited Trades Academy courses earning NCEA Level 1-3 credits), corporate and professional team-building programmes, holiday programmes for youth aged 7-18, Duke of Edinburgh's Award delivery, international student programmes under the ExpedNZ brand, and community & wellbeing programmes, anchored at a 40-year-old campus in Upper Moutere.

Product overview

Whenua Iti Outdoors delivers a comprehensive portfolio of experiential learning programmes focused on personal and social development through outdoor education. The core offerings span multiple programme categories: Primary School Programmes (ages 5-13) including Nature Exploration Camp, Go Wild, Kaitiaki Kids, Junior Journey, and Rā Ora Wellbeing; Secondary School Programmes (ages 13-18) featuring Trades Academy (NCEA Level 1-3 accredited), Rangatahi Leadership, Adventure Leadership, and Explore Programmes; Professional Programmes for corporate team-building including Challenges Day, Cultural PLD, Te Ao Māori Hīkoi, Leadership Journey, and Waka Journey; Holiday Programmes for ages 7-18; Duke of Edinburgh's Award Adventurous Journeys (Bronze, Silver, Gold); International Programmes through ExpedNZ; Community & Wellbeing Programmes; and West Coast Programmes. The Trades Academy includes specialized streams: Adventure Tourism Leadership, Manaaki Tāpoi (Cultural Tourism), Conservation/Kaitiaki Leadership, and Uniformed Services/Emergency Response. All programmes incorporate experiential learning methodology and many offer NCEA credit assessment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary School Programmes Outdoor education programmes for primary and intermediate students (Years 1-8) focusing on adventure, nature connection, cultural awareness, and personal development through activities such as camping, team challenges, and environmental exploration.
• Secondary School Programmes Experiential learning programmes for secondary students (Years 9-13) including Trades Academy, leadership programmes, Duke of Edinburgh's Award delivery, and NCEA-accredited courses.
• Trades Academy Programmes NCEA-accredited programmes for Year 11-13 students offered in partnership with TOTSTA and WCTA Trades Academies, covering Adventure Tourism Leadership, Manaaki Tāpoi Cultural Tourism, Kaitiaki Leadership, and Uniformed Services streams with Level 1-3 credits.
• Professional Programmes Personal development and team-building programmes for corporate and professional groups including Challenges Day ($2,050 small group up to 12 / $3,500 large group up to 24), Cultural PLD from $285 per person, Te Ao Māori Hīkoi, Leadership Journey, Waka Journey, and custom Tailored Programmes.
• Holiday Programmes Adventure holiday programmes for ages 7-18 during school holidays including Go Wild, Kaitiaki Kids, Junior Journey, Senior Journey, Aotearoa Adventure, Adventure Leadership, and Kaitiaki Leadership, with funding support available through grants and fundraising guidance.
• Duke of Edinburgh's Award Programmes Programmes supporting completion of Adventurous Journey components (Bronze, Silver, Gold) and Gold Residential Project for the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award for youth aged 14-24.
• International Programmes (ExpedNZ) Experiential education programmes for international students delivered under the ExpedNZ brand, including Waka Journey, Aotearoa Orientation, and Aotearoa Adventure, with proceeds supporting the Whenua Iti Foundation.
• Community & Wellbeing Programmes Experiential learning programmes designed for community groups focusing on positive personal and social outcomes, nature connection, confidence building, and teamwork.
• Tailored Programmes Custom experiential learning programmes co-designed to meet specific group goals, available for secondary schools, professional groups, international students, and community wellbeing.
• West Coast Programmes Programmes specifically designed for students from Te Tai Poutini / West Coast region, including West Coast Journey, Māwhera Adventurers, and Kawatiri Adventurers, with some delivered in Greymouth and Westport.
• Ignite Programme Three-year multi-camp leadership programme for Year 9-11 students from Motueka High School focusing on personal development skills, confidence building, and positive change.
• Climbing Wall Hire On-site climbing wall available for hire, accommodating up to 14 participants per qualified NZOIA Rock Leader, with optional instructor hire.
• Climbing Centre Purpose-built indoor climbing facility opened in 2026 to support growing demand for high-quality outdoor climbing experiences, with plans for future community access and use through Summit Sessions and Climbing Wall Hire.
• Summit Sessions Indoor climbing sessions in a professionally guided environment for individuals not currently on a WIO programme, offered at no cost.

Quantifiable outcome

• NCEA Level 1-3 credits available through Trades Academy programmes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered featured, core and minor.

• Pitt & Moore LawyersfeaturedGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured partner providing significant sponsorship to enable positive outcomes for young people. Firm visited Whenua Iti for team building and provides ongoing financial and community support.
• Top of the South Trades Academy (TOTSTA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoint delivery of Trades Academy programmes for Year 11-13 students. Fully funded by Ministry of Education with zero cost to students from partner schools.
• West Coast Trades Academy (WCTA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for delivery of Trades Academy programmes for West Coast students, fully funded by Ministry of Education.
• Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary AwardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegistered provider of Adventurous Journeys for Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. Supports individuals and schools to participate in the Award.
• Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry body supporting Fostering Futures Project for trainee instructor development and professional standards.
• Ministry of Social DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngaged to deliver Enhanced Taskforce Green programme for Tasman flood recovery, managing clean-up crews.
• BCITO (Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCustom programme 'Mana Whakatipu, Mana Tangata' co-developed for Māori apprentices combining outdoor learning with kaupapa Māori delivery.
• Halberg FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to remove barriers for disabled tamariki and rangatahi to experience outdoor recreation.
• Mōkihinui-Lyell Backcountry TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Kaitiaki Leadership programme delivery based at Rough and Tumble Bush Lodge near Kahurangi National Park.
• Amputee Society of Top of the SouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Stump Club camp bringing together young amputees for adventure, connection, and empowerment.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hillary Outdoors: Outdoor education provider running youth development programmes in Tongariro and Anakiwa, aligned to the Hillary legacy. Closest direct competitor on multi-day outdoor education, school-group delivery, and NCEA-aligned curriculum content.
• Sir Peter Blake Trust: NZ charity delivering environmental and leadership education programmes for young people, including the Blake Inspire and Blake Expeditions. Comparable youth development mission and school-programme channel, with marine/environmental orientation.
• Graeme Dingle Foundation: NZ youth development charity delivering school-based programmes (Stars, Project K, Career Navigator) focused on resilience and confidence. Comparable on youth development outcomes and school-channel GTM, though less outdoor-adventure-led.
• Outward Bound New Zealand: Long-established NZ outdoor education provider running multi-day experiential and adventure programmes for youth. Directly comparable to Whenua Iti on activity mix, target audience, and experiential learning methodology, though Outward Bound is more residential/sailing-anchored.
• Spirit of Adventure Trust: NZ charitable trust operating tall-ship sailing and outdoor development voyages for youth aged 12-18. Comparable non-profit trust structure, youth development mission, and experiential learning delivery model, though centred on maritime activities.
• Project K: NZ youth development programme combining outdoor wilderness experiences with mentoring for at-risk secondary students. Strong overlap on outdoor-based personal development for disengaged youth in the secondary school segment.

Others

• Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ): Industry body for outdoor education in NZ. Whenua Iti partners with EONZ on the Fostering Futures Project; EONZ functions more as an enabling/standards body than a direct competitor, but is highly comparable in serving the same school customer base.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA New Zealand: Broader incumbent offering outdoor education, school holiday programmes, and youth leadership programmes across multiple NZ centres. Comparable on programme categories and youth audience, but operating at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• GirlGuiding New Zealand: NZ youth organisation delivering outdoor adventure, leadership, and Duke of Edinburgh's Award pathways for girls and young women. Comparable on outdoor skills delivery and youth audience, but membership-based rather than school-programme-based.
• Scout Association of New Zealand: Long-standing NZ youth organisation delivering outdoor adventure, leadership, and Duke of Edinburgh's Award pathways. Overlaps on outdoor skills delivery, leadership development, and DoE provision, though as a youth-membership organisation rather than a school-programme provider.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/whenuaiti
• Facebookfacebook.com/WhenuaItiOutdoors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/whenua-iti-outdoors

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Whenua Iti Outdoors