Outward Bound

What Outward Bound does

Outward Bound New Zealand is a registered charity (Outward Bound Trust CC34682, with affiliated Outward Bound Foundation CC22777) that has operated outdoor experiential education courses from its Anakiwa campus in the Marlborough Sounds since 1962. The organisation delivers multi-day residential programmes for teens (ages 13–18), young adults (18–26), adults (25+ and 60+), professionals (Leadership and Women in Leadership, ages 20+), and adapted courses (Horizons and Activate) for participants with disabilities, using sailing cutters, kayaks, waka ama, tramping, rock climbing, and high-ropes activities in the Queen Charlotte Sound environment. Courses are structured around a "watch" small-group methodology refined over 60+ years and integrate Māori cultural elements via a partnership with Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui and the waka ama programme. Pricing is per-participant (the Classic three-week course lists at approximately NZD $4,000, including GST), with a Ka Mahi Scholarship covering 20–50% of fees and a temporary 50% promotion for June–September 2026. Outward Bound is part of a global network of 37 schools across 30+ countries and has served over 70,000 participants since founding, with nearly 1,800 participants passing through Anakiwa annually. Beyond course fees, revenue is generated through donations, bequests, and capital campaigns — most notably the three-year Project Refresh Anakiwa initiative that ultimately raised NZD $4 million for facility upgrades including the new double watch house (NZD $870,000), Levene Lodge staff accommodation, the Tortuga safety launch, and accessibility improvements at Te Kainga. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer via the website course finder, augmented by a referral network of 30+ community organisations (Youthline, Big Brothers Big Sisters, NZ Defence Force, Scouts, SPCA, St John, YMCA, RainbowYOUTH, and others) and an alumni Champions fundraising programme; all course delivery is concentrated at the single Anakiwa site with an Auckland office (20 Beaumont Street) handling enquiries and admissions.

Name

Outward Bound

Legal name

Outward Bound Trust CC34682

Website

https://outwardbound.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Outward Bound New Zealand is a registered charity operating since 1962 that delivers multi-day outdoor experiential education and leadership courses at its Anakiwa campus in the Marlborough Sounds, serving teens, young adults, professionals, and people with disabilities through adventure-based programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Primary revenue stream from participant course fees. Full payment required at least 8 weeks before course start date. Fees listed in NZD and include GST. Specific fees mentioned: Classic course approximately $4,000-$4,100 NZD.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered charity (Outward Bound Trust CC34682, Outward Bound Foundation CC22777), the organization receives donations to support scholarships and fund capital projects like Project Refresh Anakiwa.
3. Bequests and Planned Gifts: Legacy giving program where supporters can leave gifts in their Will to Outward Bound NZ, marketed during Wills Month in September.
4. Project Refresh Anakiwa Campaign: Three-year $3-4 million fundraising campaign to upgrade facilities at Anakiwa, including new watch houses, staff accommodation, boats, and accessibility improvements. Funded by private and public donors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Outward Bound is a registered charity that delivers residential outdoor experiential education courses ranging from one to three weeks for teens (ages 13-18), young adults (18-26), adults (25+ and 60+), professionals, and people with disabilities. Courses blend activities such as sailing, kayaking, waka ama, tramping, rock climbing, and high ropes with structured reflection to build resilience, confidence, leadership, and teamwork. All courses are conducted at the Anakiwa base in the Marlborough Sounds, with course fees supplemented by donations, scholarships, bequests, and capital fundraising.

Product overview

Outward Bound NZ offers a diverse portfolio of outdoor adventure and personal development courses, including Teen Courses (Three-Week and One-Week for ages 13-18), Adult Courses (One-Week and Three-Week courses for ages 18+ with specific tracks for 25+ and 60+), Leadership Courses (Leadership and Women in Leadership for ages 20+), and Adapted Courses (Horizons and Activate for people with disabilities). The organization provides financial support through the Ka Mahi Scholarship Programme covering 20-50% of course fees. Additional services include Post Course alumni support and a volunteer Support Worker Programme for disability courses. Courses are conducted at the Anakiwa base in Marlborough Sounds and include activities such as tramping, sailing, kayaking, rock climbing, high ropes, and the uniquely NZ waka ama. The organization is a registered charity with over 60 years of experience serving over 70,000 participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Three-Week Teen Course (Ages 16-18)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70,000 participants have completed courses since 1962
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-MāuicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Iwi (Māori tribe) with whom Outward Bound has re-signed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue working together to enhance Tikanga tuku iho (cultural heritage) of both organizations at Anakiwa and surrounding whenua. Te Ātiawa representatives participate in blessings and ceremonies including watch house naming (Huria) and Levene Lodge opening.
• BluelightminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization logo displayed on scholarships page as referral partner for scholarship-eligible participants.
• BigBuddyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization referral partner for scholarship-eligible youth participants.
• Big Brothers Big SistersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth mentorship organization referral partner for scholarship applicants.
• Coastguard NZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization referral partner for scholarship-eligible participants.
• Department of Conservation NZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment agency referral partner for scholarship applicants.
• New Zealand Defence ForceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMilitary organization referral partner for scholarship-eligible participants.
• Fire and Emergency NZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmergency services organization referral partner for scholarship applicants.
• GirlGuiding NZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth organization referral partner for scholarship-eligible participants.
• Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSearch and rescue organization referral partner for scholarship applicants.
• New Horizons for WomenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWomen's organization referral partner for scholarship-eligible participants.
• RainbowYOUTHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLGBTQ+ youth organization referral partner for scholarship applicants.
• Surf Life Saving NZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLifesaving organization referral partner for scholarship-eligible participants.
• New Zealand Red CrossminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHumanitarian organization referral partner for scholarship applicants.
• Scouts NZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth organization referral partner for scholarship-eligible participants.
• SPCA NZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnimal welfare organization referral partner for scholarship applicants.
• YouthlineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth helpline organization referral partner. Notable that Dan's story mentions Youthline counselor who referred him for scholarship.
• Student Volunteer ArmyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStudent volunteering organization referral partner for scholarship-eligible participants.
• YMCAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization referral partner for scholarship applicants.
• St John NZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst aid and emergency services organization referral partner for scholarship-eligible participants.
• Waka Abel Tasman / Waikawa Waka Ama WhanaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaka ama community organization that provided training and support during the introduction of waka ama program at Outward Bound. Representatives attended blessing and naming ceremony and provided hands-on training to staff.
• Maitahi Outrigger Canoe ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutrigger canoe club that participated in waka ama training and orientation for Outward Bound staff and instructors.
• Smart Alliances (Blenheim)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering firm engaged to create concept drawings and working drawings for the floating pontoon at Te Kainga homestead as part of Project Refresh Anakiwa.
• Marg Robinson Architectural DesignminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitectural design firm engaged to design the new double watch house. Firm is an OB alumni.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Spirit of Adventure Trust: NZ charitable trust sailing tall ships for youth development — uses marine-based experiential challenge for similar age cohorts and is also anchored in the Marlborough Sounds/Hauraki Gulf maritime environment.
• Outward Bound Australia: Australian sister school within the global Outward Bound network, delivering outdoor experiential courses across the Tasman — closely comparable offering to OB NZ with overlapping course types and methodology.
• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): US-based wilderness education school delivering multi-week outdoor leadership courses for teens, young adults, and adults — closely aligned with OB NZ in mission, course structure, and participant outcomes.
• Hillary Outdoors (formerly Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre): NZ-based outdoor education provider running multi-day adventure programmes for school groups and youth at facilities in the central North Island — directly comparable course model and target demographic to OB NZ.
• The Outdoor Education Group (Australia): Australian provider of outdoor education programmes for schools and corporate clients — adjacent geographic market with a comparable course catalogue including camps, expeditions, and leadership programmes.

Broad incumbents

• Outward Bound International: Umbrella organization coordinating 37 Outward Bound schools globally — provides network IP, quality standards, and brand support that OB NZ benefits from, while setting shared methodology across the network.
• Project Adventure: Veteran experiential education organisation offering ropes courses, team-building, and group facilitation globally — overlapping in methodology (high ropes, group challenge) and audience (schools, corporates, youth).
• Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - New Zealand: NZ operator of a globally recognized youth development programme including adventurous journey components — overlaps with OB NZ on youth personal development outcomes and NGO/distributed model.

Others

• YMCA New Zealand: Referral partner of OB NZ and broad community youth/family services provider — adjacent rather than direct, with overlapping youth audiences but not outdoor adventure as the core offering.
• Kahurangi Triangle Tours / NZ outdoor education providers: Collection of NZ outdoor adventure and iwi-linked education providers offering cultural and outdoor experiences — operate in adjacent rather than directly competing segments and share overlap with OB NZ's waka ama and cultural programme offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/OutwardBoundTrustNZ
• Facebookfacebook.com/OutwardBoundNZ
• LinkedInnz.linkedin.com/school/outward-bound-new-zealand
• Instagraminstagram.com/outwardboundnz

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Outward Bound