Weapon
['wep.ən] noun
(New Zealand slang)
Someone who's exceptionally skilled or powerful; a force to be reckoned with.
Weapon
['wep.ən] noun
(New Zealand slang)
Someone who's exceptionally skilled or powerful; a force to be reckoned with.
BECOME A WEAPON. THE GOOD KIND.
We’re inviting rangatahi (young people) to take their power back and hone themsleves into someone who can thrive in a changing world.
Outward Bound gives rangatahi the space and community to unlock the best version of themselves.
Why this matters
Today's youth are under pressure like never before - constant comparison, endless expectations and a world that feels uncertain. Most don't get the tools or the space to work out who they are, let alone who they could become.
Become a Weapon exists because young people deserve better. They deserve a place that feels built for them. Somewhere to transform pressure into power.
Right now, not enough rangatahi know what Outward Bound offers. Awareness is low among under-34s, even though what we provide is exactly what many are craving: challenge, connection, confidence and a break from the noise of modern life.
Become a Weapon is here to change that. It's about speaking their language and showing that Outward Bound is transforming for another generation - offering a bold path to unleashing their inner potential in today's world.
Think of Become a Weapon as the Gen Z/Gen Alpha way of saying, "There is more in you." And we're here to help them find it.
Hear directly from rangatahi about how they’re feeling in today’s world
These are the unfiltered thoughts of a generation demanding more. Follow our brand platform on TikTok and Instagram to be the first to see new campaign content dropping or watch on YouTube. We’ll be releasing content in phases over the next few weeks.
TikTok: @weaponscatalogue
Instagram: @weapons.catalogue
Who is Outward Bound?
Outward Bound New Zealand is a non-profit organisation with over 60 years of experience helping people grow through outdoor challenge and adventure in the stunning Marlborough Sounds.
We're part of a global network of 37 Outward Bound schools internationally, where millions have already found confidence, resilience and connection through adventure-based learning.
Everything we do is grounded in a simple belief passed down from our founder, educator Kurt Hahn:
Plus est en vous. There is more in you.
“There are three ways of trying to win the young. There is persuasion, there is compulsion and there is attraction. You can preach at them, that is a hook without a worm. You can say ‘you must volunteer,’ and that is of the devil. And you can tell them, ‘you are needed,’ that appeal hardly ever fails.”
— Kurt Hahn, Outward Bound founder
Frequently Asked Questions
It means becoming a powerful human in your own life, someone with resilience, purpose and confidence. Young people in Aotearoa already use the term “weapon” to describe someone who is exceptionally capable.
For example:
A weapon at public speaking - someone who captivates every audience.
A weapon at building trust - someone who builds strong relationships by making people feel seen and heard.
A weapon at problem solving - someone who finds answers no one else sees.
A weapon at innovation - someone who has a knack for turning bold new ideas into reality.
Not at all. The kaupapa, challenge, safety and transformational outcomes remain the same as they always have.
No. Imagery reflects authentic Outward Bound challenge - teamwork, grit, moments of breakthrough - not anything unsafe or sensational.
No, this will not show up in course delivery. This is a brand campaign, not a change to our teaching approach or culture.
Becoming a weapon is about unlocking your inner potential so you can show up stronger for others. At Outward Bound, growth is collective - you’re shaped by your watch and you carry that strength back into your whānau, school, workplace and community. The campaign speaks to that ripple effect: when a young person becomes more confident, resilient and connected, they don’t just change their own life, they create positive change around them.
Yes, we tested the concept with hundreds of Kiwi of varying backgrounds and ages. Testing outperformed average benchmarks, with young people in particular telling us this language feels inspiring, aspirational and authentic.