Current State in New Zealand

Currently there is no national cohesion, recognition, and structured support for practices, systems, policies and approaches that share an intentional pursuit of health via outdoor and activity based interventions. 

While there are existing networks and peak bodies in the outdoor education (e.g. Education Outdoors NZ), recreation (e.g. Recreation Aotearoa), youth development (e.g. Ara Taiohi, Korowai Tupu), conservation, and sport sectors, none specifically focus on bringing together the kaupapa of connection with nature for wellbeing.

There are also many health promotion programmes that include nature (e.g. Mental health Foundation) and training resources ( eg. Te Pou).  

This project is intentionally positioned to complement—not duplicate—existing bodies by bridging gaps across sectors and offering an integrative framework that combines therapeutic practice, outdoor and experiential learning, and cultural healing, and systems that support achieving health through outdoor activity.

Initial Foundational Shared Understandings

  • A reciprocal relationship with nature is a human need.  

  • It is both for the wellbeing of the person and the natural environment

  • We, as humans are part of nature.

  • We acknowledge that here in Aotearoa New Zealand, much of the way we understand and describe the human relationship with nature as an integral part of health & Wellbeing is offered to us from te ao Māori.

  • We acknowledge and embrace that there is a wide variety of aspects, pratices, policies and approaches that all come together to achieve health across the population.

  • By going outside it naturally invites us to move our bodies, connect with other people, look after the environment and a range of other benefits. 

  • That nature has something to offer when included in all aspects of society from policy and practice, from the individuals to the full population.

  • That to care for the environment (not just in a physical / practical way, but in a nourishing spiritual or emotional way), nurtures both nature and ourselves.

Outcomes and Measures

Phase 1: Research and Relationships

(July - December 2025)

Write a report answering the key questions:

    1. The landscape of Aotearoa in 2025. A clear description of what the problems are.

    2. Who is active in this landscape?

      1. Who is working, or has a desire to be working  (in a paid or unpaid capacity) to create connection between people and te taiao for wellbeing.  

      2. Why are they doing the work they are doing?

      3. What are their best hopes for their mahi?

      4. What is their vision?

    3. What are the shared values, commonalities, beliefs and understandings?

    4. What do they need?

      1. What Barriers to the face that stops them achieving their best hopes?

      2. What do they need more of to achieve their hopes?

    5. What is the potential?

      1. If we (the people and organizations invested in this kaupapa) came together in an organized way, what might we achieve?

We will answer these questions through:

  • Literature Review

  • Desk-based research

  • Survey 

  • 12 regional hui and 2 online hui


Phase 2:  Design

(January - May 2026)


Prepare a proposal to Sport New Zealand for the second year, detailing:

    1. The Collective Vision of the Sector

    2. What further research is required

    3. What action can be taken to move the project forward


This will be done by:

  • The Design Wānanga of 50-60 Key stakeholders in April 2026.

Implementation Plan

Phase 1: Relationships & Research

To occur during the first 6 months of the project timeline

ACTION

Establish an initial steering group for this project from current and past members of ĀTA leadership and other leaders from various stakeholders. 

  1. Bring Initial Steering group together for 1.5 day ‘In Person working party 1’.

ACTION

Build Relationships:

  1. Identify and map potential stakeholders in Aotearoa 

  2. Build connections with all potential stakeholders via phone call, email and online meetings.

  3. Bring together stakeholders in localized / regional meetings/focus groups for building relationships and research - exploring shared kaupapa

ACTION

Research:

  1. Identify and survey identified organisations and individuals involved in this Kaupapa, similar to regional hui, snowballing for participant identification

  2. Speak to and learn from International Adventure Therapy Community and other countries who have done a similar process e.g. Outdoor Health Australia.

  3. Speak to and learn from other industry bodies who share an aligned vision.   

  4. Review research literature regarding the concept and its place in Aotearoa society, with an emphasis on bicultural and cross-cultural fit. Literature might include e.g. Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey, Child and Youth Strategy.

  5. Scope out financial sustainability opportunities for ongoing investment from other government departments and philanthropic funders.

Phase 2: Design

To occur during the second 6 months of the project timeline

ACTION

Collaborative Design:

  1. Engagement and collaboration with stakeholders, key representatives of diverse organisations to co-create the next phase of the project.  Early April 2026. Use principles of and a framework from Community Engagement e.g. relational (Johnson, K.)

ACTION

Formal Records of Co-design wānanaga

ACTION

Prepare Proposal for Sport NZ

INDICATOR OF SUCCESS

  • Initial Steering group of approximately 10 people is established. 

(July/ early August 2025)

Online meetings for relationships building

  • Establish and Contract ‘Project Lead’

  • Set Date for ‘In Person Working Party’

At ‘In Person Working Party 1’:(end of August 2025)

  • Complete full brainstorm of potential stakeholders

  • Brainstorm the questions for Research phase:

    • Who will we talk to?

    • What do we want to know?

    • (Set Roadshow meetings agenda)

    • How do we expect to synthesize the results?

    • What literature do we know of?

  • Brainstorm potential ongoing funding sources 

  • Set specific targets and time frames for the first quarter of the project for contractors to complete.

INDICATOR OF SUCCESS

  1. To be completed at the Steering Group Working party.

  2. Spreadsheet of all connections built

  3. Regional Hui / Focus Groups conducted (September/October/November 2025)

  4. Data and themes from regional hui will be built along the way.

Answers to research questions to be synthesized with the survey results.

INDICATOR OF SUCCESS

  1. Survey results collated and written report. (December 15 2025)

  2. List of learnings from international community written. (October 2025)

  3. List of learning from local Peak Bodies and lessons learnt/tips for success. (October 2025)

  4. Evidence informed positioning of collective impact and action across sectors. Written scoping review. (November 2025)

  5. Monthly report to Steering group and ĀTA Leadership Group, on possible ongoing financial support and progress in this area. (ongoing)

INDICATOR OF SUCCESS

At the 2 day co-design wānanaga, In person Working Party 2: (March 2026)

  • Development of underpinning shared philosophy and values, and clear mission and vision going forward.

  • Development of functions of the peak Body, and how to achieve functions. Including website materials

  • Decide upon action moving forward and what else we need to know.

  • Set specific KPIs for Phase 2

INDICATOR OF SUCCESS

  • All other records from the co-design wānanaga are written up and recorded. (March 2026)

INDICATOR OF SUCCESS 

Due to Sport NZ (mid-May 2026)