Outdoor Leadership activity: Bushwalking

To enrol in these programmes, you need to be working in outdoor recreation, in a paid job, self-employed, or as a volunteer with regular and consistent shifts.

If you don't have a role lined up, contact us to talk about how we can help.

The bushwalking elective is available at Level 4, Level 5 (Guiding) and Level 5 (Instruction)

You'll be trained, observed and assessed in the workplace, and some of your assessments will be completed online. 

You will complete a Fundamentals module, in addition to the bushwalking elective. Once you've completed Fundamentals at each level, you can add further electives without having to repeat it. 

The evidence required at each level is outlined below:

Level 4 graduates will be able to plan, organise and lead introductory bushwalking activities

• At least 10 days' experience bushwalking
• At least five days' additional experience as a co-leader or assistant leader.

Level 5 (Guiding) graduates will be able to plan, organise and guide bushwalking activities including multi-day trips on clearly marked tracks

• At least 35 days' tramping experience, which must include at least 10 days on multi-day trips
• At least five days' experience guiding groups. Guiding experience may include being a co-guide or assistant guide
• Overnight trips should include both staying in huts and camping. 

Level 5 (Instruction) graduates will be able to instruct the skills for bushwalking

• At least 40 days' tramping experience, which must include: 20 days on multi-day trips; 10 days instructing, leading or guiding; and 20 personal days
• Instructing experience may include being a co-instructor or assistant instructor
• Overnight trips should include both staying in huts and camping.

Once you've achieved your Outdoor Leadership certificate, you will be registered with the New Zealand Register of Recreation Professionals. You can keep your registration current by re-registering every three years.