New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor and Adventure Education (Multi-skilled) (Level 4)
Sport & Recreation
A course by
Otago Polytechnic
Learn core skills to work in outdoor adventure industry including kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, tramping, mountain biking, nutrition, health, performance, and leadership in one year full-time programme offered on campus in Wānaka.
In-person study
Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting
Wānaka, Wānaka
It will take a total of 1 year
This course requires 25 hours per week
Core skills this course teaches
Outdoor activity management
Manage yourself across a range of outdoor activities considering equipment, weather, conditions, logistics, and safety.
Health and performance principles
Apply health, physical and psychological performance principles for competence and safety in outdoor activities.
Kaitiakitanga practice
Apply a framework of kaitiakitanga incorporating respect for tikanga, kawa of local iwi/hapū, sustainability, and environment.
What You're Signing Up For
This one-year full-time New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor and Adventure Education (Multi-skilled) Level 4 provides students with core skills and knowledge needed to work in the outdoor adventure industry. It covers practical adventure activities such as kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, tramping, and mountain biking, alongside study of nutrition, physical and psychological performance, leadership, tikanga and kawa of mana whenua, and sustainable practice. The programme is study on campus in Wānaka, New Zealand’s outdoor pursuits centre. Graduates can pursue roles as trainee instructors, leaders, or guides in community and private outdoor education, recreation, or tourism. Full registration on the New Zealand Register of Recreation Professionals may be available after graduation.
Course Content
- Kayaking: knowledge and skills for Grade 2 whitewater and sea kayak journeys
- Rock Climbing: skills for managing self and peers
- Mountain Biking: skills for Grade 3 trails
- Rafting: guiding rafts and performing rescues on Grade 2 whitewater
- Hautūtanga: contemporary leadership knowledge and application in outdoors
- Te Taiao: environmental sciences and sustainable practice in outdoor context
- Kaitiakatanga: tikanga, kawa of mana whenua and sustainable practice
What you need to know first
Open entry
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Outdoor education
Adventure tourism
Recreation
Future employment opportunities might be
Trainee outdoor instructor
Outdoor leader or guide
Adventure education assistant
Otago Polytechnic is known for high quality, hands on learning that leads to strong outcomes. With excellent student satisfaction, high graduate employment rates, and a commitment to sustainability, it’s a place where practical skills meet purpose. Their award winning programmes span design, fashion, creative arts, trades, health, and business, giving you real experience and real confidence for whatever comes next.