Human Rights Commission

The Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand leads NZ in showing people their full potential through challenge and adventure in the outdoors. The vision of Outward Bound is simply stated as helping the development of ‘Better People, Better Communities and a Better World’.

The staff of Outward Bound facilitates the growth of the individual, and enable them to become fully contributing members of their community and effective citizens of the world. Outward Bound is committed to the development of programmes that contribute to the development and understanding of New Zealand’s rich ethnic, cultural and socio economic mix.

Outward Bound was established in 1962 and still operates from the original location, Anakiwa, in the Marlborough Sounds. Anakiwa, 23 kilometres by road from Picton, has been described as the most perfectly situated Outward Bound school in the world. The natural timbered buildings of the facilities merge gracefully into the curve of the bay and are backed by native bush. In front stretches a long jetty where the school’s small fleet of cutters are at anchor. The ‘classrooms’ of the school are the native bush, mountains, rivers and seaways of Marlborough.

The Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand is a member of Outward Bound International which was founded by Kurt Hahn in Wales in 1941 – there are 42 member countries. Hahn was an educator, in his words: “We are all better than we know. If only we can come to discover this, we may never again settle for less”. All of Outward Bound’s courses are designed on these principles and at the heart of all the courses are the following objectives:

• self development- building your self awareness, self esteem and self confidence
• social development- increasing social awareness, communication skills and understanding how to create effective relationships
• values- consideration of your own, others and Outward Bound’s values
• environment- experience education in, about and for the environment
• service- experience and understand what it means to be of service.

Visit the website of the Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand.

Projects 2011

Southern Cross multi-ethnic course

The Outward Bound Trust, in partnership with the Human Rights Commission, provides an annual multi-ethnic course for young Aucklanders of Māori, Pākehā, Pacific, and other ethnic descent. These young people have been identified by their communities as having leadership potential and an ability to contribute to the development of the communities. The objective of the course is to provide an opportunity for personal development, teamwork and to gain an insight into and understanding of the cultural background of their fellow course participants.

They participate in a three week ‘Southern Cross’ leadership course at Anakiwa in the Marlborough Sounds, sponsored by the Sky City Community Trust. Participants reunite six months after their course to reflect on their personal growth and goals. Six courses have been held so far, around February 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. This year’s course will run from the 31 January to 20 February.

Quotes from past course participants:
“The different values and beliefs of the various people were very interesting to observe. It reinforced to me that while people from other ethnic communities think and behave differently, everyone has something to offer.” Lauren Joe

“I was surprised to find that despite our various ethnic backgrounds, our similarities outweighed our differences. The course really immersed us in an environment where our specific cultures were not a major issue. As a group we were responsible for each individual’s well-being – and that became more important than noticing cultural differences.” Grace Ramirez