Auckland Challenge

15/08/2026

14/08/2026

If you love being in the outdoors and want to work in the industry have a look at Adventureworks Training

NZ's only adventure and nature-based youth work qualification. NZQA Level 4 certificate delivered part-time across New Zealand. March 2026 intake open — enrol now.

04/08/2026

Every week, these Mangere students give up their time to work alongside Ms Rosalie in the garden as part of their voluntary service for the The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award. They're learning how to grow kai from the ground up — digging, composting, planting, and harvesting — and putting in real, consistent mahi to keep the garden thriving.

The best part? Whatever they grow doesn't just sit there. When it's ready to harvest, students get to take the fresh vegetables home to their own families.

Huge thanks to Ms Rosalie for leading this kaupapa, and to these students for showing up week after week with such great attitudes. Proud of the mahi you're putting in! 💚

📸Thanks Rosalie

30/06/2026

30/06/2026

🌱 Matariki Planting Event – Volunteer Opportunity! 🌱
Looking for a meaningful (and fun!) way to give back this Matariki? 💚
We’re excited to share an awesome volunteering opportunity with Urban Ark – perfect for Duke of Edinburgh participants looking to log service hours!

📍 Where: Avenue Reserve, Lynfield
📅 When: Friday 10 July (Matariki)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who: Family-friendly – bring a friend or your whānau!
Help transform an under-utilised green space into a thriving habitat for native wildlife 🌿🐦
✅ Native tree planting
✅ All gear + refreshments provided
✅ Great for DofE volunteering hours
👉 Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-avenue-reserve-winter-2026-planting
Let’s get out there, get our hands dirty, and make a real impact in our community 🌏✨

17/06/2026

Northland participants – this one’s for you ⛵

If you're based in Northland and looking for something a bit different for your Award, this is an amazing opportunity (and partial funding is available).

The R. Tucker Thompson offers 7-day youth voyages where you get to:

Sail a traditional tall ship
Build confidence and teamwork skills
Learn practical sailing and life skills
Spend a full week at sea with other young people

If you enjoy a challenge, want to try something new, or just love the idea of being out on the water, it’s definitely worth a look.
You can find more details here:

If you’re not sure how it could fit into your Award, feel free to check in with us and we can help you plan it.

Aged14-18? Sign up for a life-changing adventure as a trainee on our tall ship - Northland's only multi-day outdoor education programme.

16/06/2026

This is what it looks like when it all comes together.

Five home-educated students heading out on the Spirit of Adventure Trust to complete their The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award Adventurous Journey.
There’s been a lot of planning, effort, and support behind getting to this point - right down to the shirts they made for themselves, with their sponsors listed on the back. They set their goal and they achieved it!

We’re really proud of this team and their Award journey!

09/06/2026

They’re off on the Ocean today🚢

Five of our home educated Gold participants are setting sail on the Spirit of New Zealand for their five-day journey. This has been a long time coming — they’ve put in a huge amount of effort fundraising, planning, and preparing to make this happen.

This is what achieving your goals looks like. Commitment, persistence, and backing yourself even when it takes time. We’re incredibly proud of what they’ve already achieved, and so grateful to their supportive families and community who’ve helped make it possible.

Have an amazing journey, we can’t wait to hear all about it when you’re back 🌊

08/06/2026

Bronze or Silver journey with MERC in July holidays. $550

Blake Haerenga: take part in an overnight adventure journey for 13-17 yr olds. Challenge yourself, build leadership, explore the coast and connect with nature.