Three weeks of firsts for Outward Bound students

Outward Bound participants were recognised for their achievement by Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz, Deputy Mayor Josh Wharehinga and donor group representatives. Back row (from left) are Lynda Blackburne, Peter Jex-Blake, Mr Wharehinga, Zarneo Baker, Moana Te Puni, Jalah Chambers and Carter Orford. Sitting are Brianna Te Rauna and Mayor Stoltz . Front are Lena Keenan, Henihana Campbell, Te Uira Patuwai Te Kani, Stella Perano, Maumahara Walker-Paringatai, Kanye Ereh, Te Huatahi Rangihuna-Wairau-Ha (kneeling), Teresa Lewis and Janine McDiarmid. Picture supplied

Outward Bound sponsors and supporters gathered last night at Tairāwhiti Museum to celebrate the achievements of 14 secondary school rangatahi who attended the Tairāwhiti course.

While at Outward Bound, the students pushed themselves to their physical and mental limits on the 21-day course in Anakiwa.

Tairāwhiti is one of 13 courses involving 118 New Zealand schools being held this year at the outdoor education school.

Since 1962, Outward Bound has been running courses to develop youth leadership and personal skills. More than 70,000 New Zealanders have attended the courses designed to help them reach their full potential through outdoor adventure.

Eight schools were represented on the Tairāwhiti course — Gisborne Boys’ High School, Gisborne Girls’ High, Campion College, Lytton High School, Ngāta Memorial College, Tolaga Bay Area School, Te Waha o Rerekohu Area School and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti.

It was an especially significant achievement, considering the continuing impact of Cyclone Gabrielle and other devastating weather events the region is experiencing.

“The extreme weather events, including the cyclone, continue to make their presence felt and the region is still very much in recovery mode,” Outward Bound chief executive Malindi MacLean said. “Both the Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay courses were scheduled to happen earlier in the year but we rescheduled to mid-September and it’s been amazing that the students have been able to attend.

“Skills such as building resilience and teamwork are more important than ever.”

Gisborne Girls’ High student Te Uira Patuwai Te Kani said she learned some “really valuable lessons about teamwork, organisation and compromise” through challenges while on the course with her “watchmates”.

“Tramping was one of our most challenging times. While we learned lessons, we also felt pride and a feeling of accomplishment when you look back over those hills and think ‘we did that, we climbed that’.”

The progression of her watchmates’ confidence during the three weeks away also made an impact on her.

“We came to Anakiwa not knowing each other —a bit shy and a bit unsure of ourselves. It was great to see our progression through the course as we came to trust each other and show our true selves and be comfortable with each other. Music was something that truly bound us together and really connected us.”

Malindi said like Te Uira, most students found the course transformational.

“For many of our school programme students, Outward Bound is three weeks of ‘firsts’.

They tell us that the course provides a safe, encouraging and stimulating environment in which they can rediscover themselves, examine their priorities and values, and push the boundaries of what they believe they can achieve.

“Outward Bound complements the school system by adding tangible outdoor experiential learning that benefits our rangatahi’s growth.”

The Tairāwhiti course was made possible with funding and support from a valued family of donors including Sunrise Foundation donors, Pip Duncalf, Helen McMahon and Bernie Wicht, and Trust Tairāwhiti.