Outdoor Excellence Award for Nelson-based Outdoor Pursuits Centres

The Centre's philosophy attracts very special people.

Kayaking for the wheelchair-bound is just one activity that has helped the Whenua Iti Trust from Nelson to gain an award from Outdoor New Zealand, for reducing barriers to participation in outdoor recreation.

The Whenua Iti Outdoor Pursuits Centre is a private training establishment that has offered a range of outdoor education programmes from its 7.5 hectare base at Lower Moutere since 1986.

The centre is registered with NZQA and delivers a variety of programmes and courses including the National Certificate (level 3) in Outdoor Recreation. It also delivers training courses funded by TEC, and courses for those at risk or who have special needs.

Manager Dee Cresswell says Whenua Iti encourages the development of all individuals.

"Our focus takes in a cross section, from youth at risk to women getting back into the workforce," she said, "but our entry for the Outdoor New Zealand Award focused on two programmes that aim to increase self-esteem and confidence for people with psychiatric or physical disabilities."

These two programmes are:

• Stepping Out, for clients of the psychiatric services. The aim is to raise motivation and fitness, and encourage participation in community and family life. Clients undertake day activities at the centre culminating in an overnight trip.

• Flying Abilities, for people with physical disabilities. This programme develops client awareness of individual abilities, needs in an outdoor context for people with disabilities ranging from profound deafness to being wheelchair dependent.

"We have invested in the facilities, equipment and tutor training to allow us to deliver these programmes successfully," Ms Cresswell says.

"This goes a lot further than wheelchair access to buildings. We have adjustable seating in Canadian canoes for wheelchair-based clients, one-armed paddling and a pulley system to get clients up the abseil tower.

"More than that there are the tutors - our philosophy attracts, retains and nurtures some very special people with the skills and empathy it takes to do a job like this."