• Exercise
  • Mātauranga Māori
  • Outdoor recreation
  • Snowsport
  • Sport and community recreation

Qualifications for Outdoor recreation

People working in sport and community recreation make physical recreation accessible and positive for everyone.

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National Raft Guide Awards

These awards are for people working in the outdoor recreation industry who wish to guide commercial rafting trips on New Zealand whitewater rivers. To commercially guide in New Zealand, you need to hold the appropriate raft or riverboarding award. The New Zealand Rivers Association and Te Mahi Ako have jointly developed a qualification system that reflects the high quality of guiding required in New Zealand.
Elective

Outdoor Leadership activity: Mountain Biking

Mountain biking takes us off the beaten path and onto the tracks and trails, with options for everyone from beginner bikers through to advanced thrillseekers.
These electives are for people working in mountain biking, who wish to grow their skills in leading this activity. They were developed jointly with the New Zealand Professional MTB Association and the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors' Association.
Elective

Outdoor Leadership activity: Bushwalking

Going deep into nature on your own two feet is unlike any other mode of travel. Bushwalkers get to experience untouched wilderness environments, tackle challenging routes, and brave the changing weather.
These electives are for bushwalking guides and instructors who wish to use their skills to lead groups and help people explore the Kiwi bush.
Elective

Outdoor Leadership activity: Abseiling and Rock Climbing

Whether you are going up or coming down, abseiling and rock climbing will leave you on a high. With technical challenges and stunning views, these activities give participants a chance to break out of their comfort zone.
These electives are designed for abseiling and rock climbing professionals who wish to level up their outdoor recreation careers.
Elective

Outdoor Leadership activity: High Ropes

Balance, focus and confidence will take you to the top in the world of high ropes. Mid-air platforms, bridges and obstacles are designed to test limits and build bonds between participants.
These electives are designed for outdoor recreation professionals who wish to hone their skills and expertise in high ropes.
Elective

Important news: Te Mahi Ako update – Outdoor qualifications

Following our communication to the outdoor sector in November 2025, Te Mahi Ako is providing an update on our current position regarding outdoor qualifications.

As of 31 March 2026, enrolments for Outdoor Leadership qualifications have now closed (outside of NZDF pathways). We therefore now no longer take new workplace-based enrolments into these programmes.

This decision, previously signalled to the sector, is based on factors which include ongoing low enrolment numbers and wider changes across the vocational education landscape.

What this means

- No new enrolments are being accepted into Outdoor Leadership qualifications

- Current learners will continue to be supported through to completion, with a final credit reporting date of 31st December 2026

- NZDF enrolments will continue under existing arrangements.

- We remain committed to ensuring a smooth experience for all learners and employers who are currently engaged in these programmes.

Looking ahead

While this is a change in how we deliver outdoor qualifications, it is not a step away from the sector.

Te Mahi Ako is continuing to engage with industry partners as the qualification landscape evolves, ensuring future opportunities are aligned to sector needs.

Rafting and Riverboarding update

As previously advised, the Rafting qualifications will transition to a non-NZQA model administered by the New Zealand Rivers Association.

Riverboarding will move to an inhouse model for companies who provide Riverboarding experiences. 

An updated communication will be shared closer to the 30 April 2026 transition date to confirm next steps and what this means for learners and industry.

Staying connected

We recognise this is a period of change for the outdoor recreation sector. Te Mahi Ako remains committed to working alongside industry, supporting learners, and contributing to the future of capability development in Aotearoa.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss what this means for your organisation, please get in touch with our team.

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Map your career

There are many different ways that you can progress through the sectors, and lots of skills are transferable across different roles and practice areas. Our Career Maps will help you visualise key jobs and pathways.

Kōrero With Us!

For more information about the qualifications, please contact your regional advisor.

Explore the latest success stories from the outdoor recreation sector

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How To Enrol

Ready to go? Just click the "Enrol" button in the top right-hand corner of this website, set up a new account in our Learner Portal if it is your first time, and then click the "Enrol here" button. Select your programme from the dropdown menu, and follow the prompts to complete the rest of the form.

Your enrolment form will be processed by your regional advisor, and then sent to your workplace manager to review and sign electronically. Once your manager has signed, the form automatically gets sent back to you, and your learner advisor, to review and sign.