New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor and Adventure Education (Multi-skilled) (Level 4)

Learn 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. 

Domestic

Duration
1 Year Full-time
Level
4
Credits
120
Fees
$9,039*
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee
Delivery
On campus
Location
Wanaka
Intakes
February

International

Duration
1 Year Full-time
Level
4
Credits
120
Fees
$25,576*
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee
Delivery
On campus
Location
Wanaka
Intakes
February

What You Study

Courses

Course

Description

Kayaking

Develop and apply knowledge and skills in the pursuit of kayaking, to manage self and peers on Grade 2 whitewater and experience sea kayak journeys.

Rock Climbing

Develop and apply knowledge and skills to the pursuit of Rock Climbing, managing self and peers.

Mountain Biking

Develop and apply knowledge and skills in the pursuit of mountain biking, to manage self and peers, on grade 3 trails.

Rafting

Develop and apply knowledge and skills in the pursuit of rafting being able to guide a raft and perform appropriate rescues on Grade 2 whitewater.

Hautūtanga

Develop and apply contemporary knowledge of leadership and leadership theories and how these can be applied to self and peers in the outdoors.

Te Taiao

Develop practical knowledge and understanding of environmental sciences and sustainable practice in the outdoor context.

Kaitiakatanga

Develop practical knowledge and understanding in tikanga, kawa of mana whenua and sustainable practice.

At the end of this programme, you'll be able to:

  1. Manage yourself across a range of outdoor activities, taking into account equipment, weather, local conditions, logistics and safety management.
  2. Apply principles of health, physical and psychological performance to enhance personal competence and safe participation for a range of outdoor activities. 
  3. 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. 
  4. Use leadership theories to inform personal leadership and leadership of peers in a range of outdoor activities. 
  5. Apply the safety management system of an organisation, including being able to respond appropriately within an emergency care situation. 
  6. Plan, prepare and lead outdoor activities in low-risk, low technical outdoor environments, under direct supervision.

Further study options

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.

Workload

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.

Entry

Entry requirements

Academic requirements 
  • Open entry.
Other requirements  
  • If accepted, we'll also require you to complete a Statement of Offences Against the Law form.
English Language requirements 

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Please note: It's desirable that you also have a reasonable level of fitness including the ability to swim a minimum of 50 metres and the ability to carry a full overnight tramping pack on multi-day trips. It's also a good idea to look at obtaining your full driver licence as soon as possible (the outdoor industry sees the gaining of/or the ability to gain a 'P' licence as highly desirable).

Want your existing skills recognised?

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.

Fees

Domestic fees

Full tuition
Standard
$9,039

International fees

Full tuition
Standard
$25,576

Additional costs

You will need to supply some of your own equipment during this programme. You will be sent a detailed equipment list as part of your enrolment pack.

Tuition fees

The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.

Application

Need more info?

If you want to chat about the programme, please email Programme Leader, peter.eley@op.ac.nz

A change for 2023 enrolments

When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.

Get in touch

0800 762 786
International +64 3 477 3014
Email: info@op.ac.nz