A great first step into outdoor and adventure education.

Enjoy studying in Central Otago, New Zealand’s best outdoor classroom and the country’s epicentre of outdoor pursuits. Our Certificate will provide you with the core skills and knowledge you need to work in the outdoor adventure industry, including kayaking, rafting, rock climbing and tramping, mountain biking, nutrition, health, physical and psychological performance, and leadership.

Take your gap year within New Zealand and get the chance grow your personal and life skills. It will also enhance your understanding and skills in leadership, personal communication, group interaction, tikanga, kawa of mana whenua and sustainable practice.

Graduates may be eligible to apply for full registration on the New Zealand Register of Recreation Professionals (NZRRP). This qualification may enable you to engage in paid or volunteer roles as a trainee instructor, leader or guide within community and private outdoor or adventure education/recreation/tourism providers.

What will I be able to do when I graduate?

• Manage yourself across a range of outdoor activities, taking into account equipment, weather, local conditions, logistics and safety management.
• Apply principles of health, physical and psychological performance to enhance personal competence and safe participation for a range of outdoor activities.
• Apply a framework of kaitiakitanga that incorporates respect for the tikanga and kawa of local iwi and/or hap¯u, sustainability, and the environment in which you are operating.
• Use leadership theories to inform personal leadership and leadership of peers in a range of outdoor activities.
• Apply the safety management system of an organisation, including being able to respond appropriately within an emergency care situation.
• Plan, prepare and lead outdoor activities in low-risk, low technical outdoor environments, under direct supervision.

Your workload

Your week will run from Monday to Thursday with Friday being an Independent Learning day (you are expected to practise skills learned during the programme on these days). This is a full-time programme and a typical practical week may involve between 20-30 contact hours, which may include online components. You should commit yourself to a 9.00am-4.30pm day, but these times may vary, especially during daylight saving months. In addition, there are field trips during the year when you will be required to be away for one or more nights.

Further study options

If you pass this Certificate, you will be eligible for entry into our New Zealand Diploma in Outdoor and Adventure Education (Multi-skilled) (Level 5) (subject to final approval). Opportunities exist for you to bridge into other Otago Polytechnic qualifications and you could increase your career prospects with our Bachelor of Applied Science degree.