Who are these qualifications for?
This suite of qualifications is for bushwalking guides and instructors who wish to use their skills to lead groups and help people explore the New Zealand bush.
Outdoor leaders are confident and clear-headed. They use their practical skills and understanding to plan and run outdoor activities that bring people the benefits of nature. Having been trained in real-life settings, they are equipped to lead and motivate, and handle changing conditions.
Below is the qualification pathway for Bushwalking. For more information on the full outdoor leader qualifications, click the links below each level, or scroll down for more information on the Bushwalking strand!
These qualifications are designed to be completed in the great outdoors, through a mix of online learning and hands-on practical training.
What's involved?
Evidence required to complete qualification:
(All trainees must complete the Fundamentals module, in addition to the Bushwalking activity module. Trainees who add further activity strands at the same level do not have to repeat Fundamentals at that level.)
Leader (Level 4) graduates will be able to plan, organise and lead introductory bushwalking activities
At least 10 days' experience bushwalking
At least five days' additional experience as a co-leader or assistant leader.
Guide (Level 5) graduates will be able to plan, organise and guide bushwalking activities including multi-day trips on clearly marked tracks
At least 35 days' tramping experience, which must include at least 10 days on multi-day trips
At least five days' experience guiding groups. Guiding experience may include being a co-guide or assistant guide
Overnight trips should include both staying in huts and camping.
Instructor (Level 5) graduates will be able to instruct the skills for bushwalking
At least 40 days' tramping experience, which must include: 20 days on multi-day trips; 10 days instructing, leading or guiding; and 20 personal days
Instructing experience may include being a co-instructor or assistant instructor
Overnight trips should include both staying in huts and camping.
Senior Leader (Level 6) graduates will be able to instruct the skills for bushwalking and teach others how to instruct bushwalking activities
At least 80 days' tramping experience, which must include: 40 days on multi-day trips; 20 personal days; and 20 days instructing, leading or guiding groups on multi-day trips
Overnight trips should include both staying in huts and camping.
Programme structure
The Bushwalking Leader (Level 4) programme is made up of the following unit standards:
| Unit standard 30689 | Demonstrate knowledge of the leadership role in outdoor recreation activities | L4 | 5 credits |
| Unit standard 30943 | Demonstrate knowledge and skills for bushwalking | L4 | 15 credits |
| Unit standard 30944 | Plan, prepare, organise, lead and evaluate introductory bushwalking experiences | L4 | 20 credits |
| Unit standard 30690 | Plan and prepare for leading an outdoor recreation activity | L4 | 15 credits |
| Unit standard 28510 | Demonstrate knowledge of and operate under a framework of kaitiakitanga in outdoor recreation | L3 | 5 credits |
For more information on the content of these qualifications, visit the NZQA website, here.
What are the costs?
On-job training costs workplaces both time and resources. It can mean covering registration fees, learning and assessment resources, allocating time for training, and having an appropriate assessment pathway available.
Total costs for trainees will vary depending on how the qualification is delivered, how it is assessed and how much support the workplace can provide.
Check out our fees list, fees list and financial help options.
For more detailed information about the cost of doing an on-job qualification, get in touch.
Where to from here?
Keen to become a qualified bushwalking professional? Think this might be the right qualification for your staff?
To find out more, or to sign up to this qualification, contact your regional Skills Active learning support advisor.
Remember, to do this qualification on the job, a Skills Active trainee needs to be working as a volunteer or paid employee in the outdoor recreation industry.
If you are interested in this qualification, but you're not currently employed in the industry, contact a Skills Active learning support advisor to talk about how you can get involved.
Want to see where this qualification can take you next?
Check out our range of other outdoor recreation qualifications.
Discover your own career path on Tōu Aratika - our careers website.
Enrol now!
Contact your regional advisor or
P 0508 4 SKILLS (0508 475 4557)
E info@skillsactive.org.nz