Adventure Specialties Trust

27/05/2026

Meet Sarai, one of our new instructors! Here are 5 fun facts about Sarai:

1. My love for the outdoors started to develop properly in Year 12 when I moved from Christchurch to board down in Cromwell, Central Otago to participate in the Cromwell College Outdoor Pursuits Programme. Over the year, we did various stunning trips such as tramping the Raikura Track, Brewster Hut, Kepler track and mountain biking in the Naseby Forest and Roxburgh Gorge Trail. We also went rock climbing and bouldering all around the Central Otago area and spent two days each week during winter ripping it up at Cardona Ski Field!

2. I am anaphylactic to bees and wasps. In 2019, I was tramping at night to Woolshed Creek Hut in Mt Somers for a Uni paper and the group disturbed a wasp nest, so unfortunately, I was stung and had to be taken all the way back home due to my anaphylactic reaction. Now I make sure to carry two epi pens with me at all times!!

3. I graduated from my Bachelor of Science degree of Conservation and Ecology in 2022. This involved studying a lot of bugs (favourite invertebrate is a weevil!), plants (favourite plant is sphagnum moss, sooo cute) and effective ways to eradicate pests.

4. I spent two summers working in the beautiful North Carolina, USA at Camp Pinnacle as a lifeguard and swim instructor, and in my second summer as the Head Counselor of the younger girls cohort. While in the states, I took the opportunity to visit over 20 states, including hammocking overnight in the Grand Canyon. I once bussed from Miami, Florida across the country (3 days and 3 nights) to LA, California...never again!

5. I spent some of my childhood living on a beach resort in Vava’u, Tonga. My Oma (grandmother) is Tongan so it was awesome to go back to visit in 2019 to explore more of the beautiful islands that mean so much to my family.

22/05/2026

"I feel like I should live. Before this, I saw no point in living. Now I do. This course has truly saved my life. Thank you."
- Quote from a participant on our 'Revive' programme for people who have experienced sexual trauma.

20/05/2026

Bush walking in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park, along the Cascade Kauri trail. Seeing kauri trees, native bush and even an eel! What more could you ask for on a school day ...

15/05/2026

A group of our new instructors and interns went on a week-long course (nicknamed "Bush Block") to build up their skills in tramping and bushcraft.

They were led by Jeff, our Auckland Regional Manager, who delved into topics like: navigation, flora and fauna, local history, connection to place, campcraft and fire lighting, group management, stream crossings, instructor positioning, storytelling, and facilitation skills. Plus, how to deliver all of the above content through the use of Te Whare Tapa Whā, the Māori model of holistic wellbeing.

The group spent the week exploring some stunning outdoor locations around Auckland: Whatipu beach and caves, Arataki Visitors Centre and Pararaha (all in Waitākere Regional Park in Auckland), and also Jeff's farm (for the fire lighting section, since there are no fires allowed inside the regional parks).

Afterwards, the group came back to work with their newly-honed bush skills and knowledge, combined with their love for the outdoors, keen share it with the participants in our outdoors adventure programmes.

13/05/2026

Spending time outdoors and getting muddy is an increasing unfamiliar experience for a lot of young people. But it is SO much fun and it gives young people a chance to connect with each other in a fun and healthy way, while also experiencing nature and the outdoors.

01/05/2026

Students on an 5-day outdoor adventure programme learn about wellbeing from Oli, one of our Auckland-based instructors.

We use a Māori model of holistic wellbeing (Te Whare Tapa Whā) to talk about the different aspects of wellbeing: physical wellbeing, mental and emotional wellbeing, social wellbeing, spiritual wellbeing, and our connection to Te Whenua, the land.

As well as talking about wellbeing, our participants also learn to connect wellbeing to the outdoor activities they do with us. For example, kayaking can boost their sense of physical wellbeing. Abseiling and rock climbing can boost their sense of social wellbeing (relying on each other to get down safely). Watching a sunset or staring at the stars at night can boost their sense of spiritual wellbeing.

01/04/2026

Rafting down the Waimakiriri River in Canterbury during our Project K journey last year.

25/03/2026

The steep terrain and beautiful view of Nelson Lakes, from our E3 Young Adults wilderness adventure last year. Find out more: https://sunz.org.nz/event/young-adults/

20/03/2026

The staff at Adventure Specialties Trust is constantly changing - people come and go and come back again! Some people have worked here for 30-ish years. Some people have started working here in January. This is our crew at Staff Retreat (January 2026), spending time getting to know each other. The Adspecs whānau.

20/03/2026

UPCOMING PROGRAMME: Duke of Edinburgh adventurous journeys! Our Christchurch office is running Gold, Silver and Bronze journeys soon. Sign up quick! Enrolments close this Sunday.

Join us for your Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey in Ōtautahi Christchurch. We run Gold, Silver and Bronze expeditions for both Practice and Qualifying Journeys.