Instructors - Outward Bound

Outward Bound instructors are equipped with the technical skills to keep students safe in our challenging learning environments, and the facilitation skills to ensure students attain long lasting positive outcomes. All new instructors undertake a year-long training and mentoring programme once they have begun their time at Outward Bound, and we are fortunate to attract some of the best outdoor education professionals in the business.

The best thing about my job as an Outward Bound Instructor - is working with students to help them find out that the only limitations are the ones they place on themselves. Once you overcome that you can achieve anything.

Meg Ryan

Instructor Bios

Andy D

Andy L

Avril

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I grew up in rural England, treating the natural environment as a big play ground. A very physically active teen, I was involved in my local community through various sports coaching roles, so heading into the outdoor profession seemed like a great fit when I got offered my 1st job as an assistant outdoor instructor in 2006.

Since then, bringing personal development and education together in the natural environment has been my passion. This passion has lead me into some interesting work roles - live in support at a homeless hostel on an organic farm, lead activity instructor at a remote off grid outdoor center on a Scottish island, and health and well-being tutor for young adults with learning difficulties are to name just a few.

I also completed an honors degree in Outdoor Education and hold British technical qualifications in multiple outdoor disciplines. I’m a keen mountain biker, enjoy white water kayaking and since arriving in New Zealand in 2016 have been competing in triathlons around the country.

What attracted you to working at OB?
It was the opportunity to deliver a 21 day program (shorter courses being more common in the UK) that combines challenging outdoor activities with personal development that attracted me to work at OB NZ. Getting to live overseas, explore New Zealand and work for an organisation who’s focus is Better People, Better Communities, Better World also ticked all the right boxes for me.

What do you most enjoy about being an OB Instructor?
Living in an awesome community, working with great people (both staff and students) and getting to take students into amazing environments for fantastic challenging adventures, that really do enable them to see what they are truly capable of.

What’s your favourite OB meal?

As long as its vegetarian and cooked by Marcel I don’t mind.

If I wasn't an OB Instructor I'd be a…?
An Outdoor Instructor somewhere else. Failing that, a gladiator on the 90s hit TV show, Gladiators.

Bernie

Brad

Dave

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I was born and raised in the lower North Island, loving school camps and getting out tramping and rock climbing whenever I could. I moved to the Best Island ASAP to study Outdoor Education in Christchurch. After completing a BRecEd at CPIT (now Ara), I’ve been working in the outdoor sector ever since.

Jobs in NZ and the US have included freelance general outdoor instructing, mountaineering instructing, sea kayak guiding and instruction, whitewater kayak guiding, canyon guiding, abseil guiding, outdoor education camp instruction, and for the last four years, OB. I married an incredible woman, Meg (who also works here as the Course Design Manager), in 2015, and we just recently bought our first house in Nelson.

I live for the outdoors, days off will commonly see me out on personal missions hunting, kayaking, canyoning, climbing, or just exploring somewhere in the backcountry. My proudest outdoor achievement is doing both Cooks; - climbing Aoraki / Mt Cook in 2008, and sea kayaking solo across Cook Strait in 2017. I feel very lucky to live in a country with so much adventure and exploration within such easy reach and I encourage everyone to get out and explore our incredible backyard!

What attracted you to working at OB?
The holistic nature of the work. At OB there is a really nice mix of DOING (physical outdoor activities), and REVIEWING (reflection activities). I believe both of these elements are needed to gain the most learning, and I enjoy that OB values both of these highly. Also the scones are top notch.

What do you most enjoy about being an OB Instructor?
Being a witness to moments of awe. It’s an amazing feeling to see someone’s face when surrounded by dolphins, or seeing phosphorescence for the first time, or an amazing sunset - I get a real buzz out of their excitement and appreciation.

One trip stands out - we were on a three-day tramping expedition and the group accepted the option of sleeping on the top of Mt Baldy (Richmond Ranges) with no shelter overhead. The night sky was full of bright stars, we were looking down on the lights of Blenheim, and in the morning we woke to a really nice sunrise. Those sorts of moments are absolute gold.

What’s your favourite OB meal?

Once upon a time we had a Pad Thai that blew my socks off. I’ve lobbied hard for it to make a comeback, but have thus far been unsuccessful. Any other meal with meat in it gets my vote.

If I wasn't an OB Instructor I'd be a…?
Builder. In fact, I finish up at OB shortly and am looking for a local apprenticeship - know anyone?

Emma

Finn

Freya

Holly

Horey

Tell us a little bit about yourself

It’s quite an unfortunate last name, Hore, and no one really calls me Ross except my mother and an ex Scottish instructor, so I’ve gone by the name of Horey for the last 20 years.

I was born in the middle of the South Island on the East Coast in a town called Oamaru. I left more than 20 years ago when people wanted to knock down all the Victorian buildings to extend a steel factory and kill all the penguins because they were noisy and stinky.

It didn’t align with my values and the work I had been employed in (freezing works, tannery, shearing sheds, forestry and market gardening) didn’t grab me as long term career so I left and attended Aoraki Polytechnic in Timaru (pre 2000) for three years. It was an Outdoor Education and Management diploma which I didn’t complete.

The death of a close friend fired me into a hedonistic path of adventure tourism and kayak guiding in Milford Sound which then catapulted me into travelling the world as predominantly a water based guide in Slovenia/Europe/Australia. I first applied for a job at OBNZ in 2008 when I was 32 but declined the job, on reflection the timing of the move wasn't quiet right for me.

Eight years later I reapplied with the correct head space fully committed to sharing my experiences and knowledge to anyone who would listen. I am passionate about this place, this job, this life and the beautiful New Zealanders it exposes me to.

What attracted you to working at OB?
The fact I was jobless with nowhere to live was quite a motivator. Full time work in a relatively warm part of the South Island with accommodation and fejoa trees were a winning formula.

What do you most enjoy about being an OB Instructor?
Meeting the real people of New Zealand and they all come to meet me in my back yard.

I make them clean toilets every morning, jump in the sea, have cold showers, keep them pretty hungry giving them hard physical tasks to do and then they leave thinking I’m a legend.

What’s your favourite OB meal?

The beetroot super salad or any of the salads with the tasty dressings. Love the roast pork as well.

If I wasn't an OB Instructor I'd be a…?
Sun chaser anywhere in the world. Winters in NZ are like cabbage - quite average.

James

Tell us a little bit about yourself

A little bit about me eh? Well I’m from the Westcountry in the UK (the little bit in the south-west that sticks out into the Atlantic) and I miss home a lot, but not enough to stop me having adventures elsewhere. I left school to join the Army as an Engineer when I was sixteen and a lot of my professional experience comes from this time.

As I grew I realised I wanted to make positive change in the world and maybe the military wasn’t the best option for me, I left after 6 years and haven’t looked back since.

I then studied a PgDip in Geographic Information Science and worked as a Geospatial analyst for a bit. I met my partner around about the time I left the service and once I realized I didn’t enjoy sitting behind a computer, it was her who showed me the world of the outdoor industry, I reckon this is a great way of developing connections with people, helping them to experience the world and to develop their values.

I’ve worked in a couple of centres in the UK, the first was an off grid ex-fishing station about a 1.5 mile walk over a bog on a Scottish Island. The second, a centre in the Lakes District specifically for those with additional needs (physical/learning difficulties). The theme at both centres has been giving opportunities to those who society might not normally present opportunities to.

What attracted you to working at OB?
Honestly, my partner and I were finishing a contract and a few friends who have worked out here suggested it would be just right for us. So, we packed our bags, flew half way round the world and applied.

What do you most enjoy about being an OB Instructor?
The community! I get to work, live and hang out with friends. It’s interesting that a lot of students comment about the moment they realise this is more than just an outdoor centre, that it’s also our home. Chuck in some good physical adventures with interesting people and what else do you need?

What’s your favourite OB meal?

Obviously it’s the falafel, anyone who disagrees clearly hasn’t tried it.

If I wasn't an OB Instructor I'd be a…?
Very grumpy old man, complaining all the time about how I know the answer to all the world’s problems but no one listens...

Jo

Jorge

Kate

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I grew up in Dunedin and went on to study a Bachelor of Physical Education and a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Otago. After finishing my studies I went on to become a hiking guide in the Fiordland National park for four seasons. Midway through hike guiding I went over to Melbourne to work as a property manager.

Having decided the city life wasn't for me, I returned to guiding in New Zealand for a further year before heading over to Canada in search of a new and challenging adventure. While in Canada I worked on a remote wilderness ranch as a multi-day horseback guide, guide school trainer and English teacher.

I also managed a small luxury wilderness resort where I had the opportunity to become a zip line guide. Having become somewhat addicted to seeking new challenges and being passionate about experiential learning in the outdoors, I returned home to New Zealand with Outward Bound in my sights.

What attracted you to working at OB?
OB's purpose; 'Better communities, better people, better world', and the use of adventure and the natural environment to achieve their purpose.

I feel most content when I am working in an area that is positively contributing to the world I live in, and Outward Bound is an organisation that certainly does that.

What do you most enjoy about being an OB Instructor?
He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata. The people are undoubtedly the best part of this job. The amazing dedicated Instructors I get to work with, the equally passionate and extraordinary support staff and the inspiring students that I get to share experiences with and learn from.

Anakiwa and its stunning natural environment is a very close second.

What’s your favourite OB meal?

Roast pork and sticky date pudding.

If I wasn't an OB Instructor I'd be a…?
Search and recuse officer with a dog, a high country shepard with a dog team or a dog sled driver in Alaska.

Kevin

Leticia

Lou

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I was rurally raised at the foot of Mount Taranaki and the black sandy shores of the rugged Taranaki Coast. My youth was spent warming my feet up in cow patties, climbing trees and farming tadpoles in water troughs.

From a young age it was clear that I was destined to a life on the fringes of society, my childish curiosity and calling to nature lead me to seek out outdoor schooling on the mainland, fare-welling the four wall classrooms and welcoming in mountains, rivers, oceans, rock faces and the ngahere as my new place of learning.

These natural deep learning centres continued to deliver around the world as I found myself dogsled and raft guiding in the Rockies, living off chicken feet and rice as I journeyed down some of the more remote rivers in Nepal, sharing Tibetan butter tea with a group of students overlooking Chomolungma's soaring 8848 m peak.

Fueled by wanderlust and passion for purpose, it warms my insides when I’m able to share these experiences that are far beyond the confines of what one can find behind a phone screen or closed door.

What attracted you to working at OB?
The seed was planted at the fruity age of 13, during a parent-teen Outward Bound course that I completed with my generous Outward Bound sponsor and father. I remember asking my instructors at the time “how old would I need to be to get work at Outward Bound?” They responded that the average age to start at the time was around 25.

I continued to water that seed for over a decade before coming full circle to celebrate my 25th birthday in Anakiwa with my first group of students ;)

What do you most enjoy about being an OB Instructor?
The soul nourishing connections with nature and the people that this place attracts, attempted manu popping off the jetty, dancing with dolphins in the sounds, bioluminescence - like stars of the ocean, fresh herbs from Marcel's garden.

And the concept of Ako; that is grounded in the principle of reciprocity between the instructor and students, where instructors are learning from the students too.

What’s your favourite OB meal?

Marcel’s ‘special occasion truffles’ that are hidden on the top shelf in his office ;)

If I wasn't an OB Instructor I'd be a…?
Retired...worm farming, compost turning, food foresting, sauerkraut fermenting, reading books and watching the cycle of life through a swan plant outside my conservatory window.

Nir

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I was born in Israel in 1987, in a town situated 10 km from Jerusalem. Both of my parents are educators and from a very young age I enjoyed working with people while also loving the outdoors. When I was 18 I was drafted into the army, and served 3 years in a special unit, I learned a lot of my bush and navigation skills there.

After my army service I started working with youngsters in different educational frameworks. I prepared them toward their army service, I’ve been a counsellor, and established a few joinery and carpentry workshops for teaching young people life skills which had an educational and therapeutic orientation.

During my studies for a degree in Leadership and Management of Educational Systems, History and a Teaching Certificate, I managed a youth club for adolescents at risk.When I finished my degree, my wife and I decided to come for NZ to experience other life, and after working in landscaping in Nelson, I started working at OB.

I’m a very passionate person, and especially working with people and being in the outdoors. I love fitness and I enjoy playing music. I love learning new things and I believe that everything we do, needs to come from the heart, we need to enjoy it and that we are capable of much more than we think. When we are doing something we enjoy, we have the capacity of being there for others.

What attracted you to working at OB?

OB is a combination of two things I'm passionate about - people and the outdoors. However, this isn’t the main reason I decided to come to OB. It’s about making a change, making NZ and the world a better place.

The people who work here, believe in what they do, they all want to grow and learn, and we believe and know that this place makes a difference.

What do you most enjoy about being an OB Instructor?
The people. The staff and the students. Seeing the students choose to become a better version of themselves, becoming self-experts, knowing they are going to work hard and put the effort in to do it, to make themselves, their community and the world better.

OB is a journey and part of a huge process in people’s life. I love being part of it.

What’s your favourite OB meal?

Chickpea curry, yum.

If I wasn't an OB Instructor I'd be a…?
Personal trainer.

Nick

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I grew up in Central Otago in the beautiful, but rugged, Alexandra. My relationship with the outdoors began when my brother, sister and I were reluctantly dragged out tramping with Mum and Dad in Aspiring National Park. This progressed into trips out mountain biking in the hills behind Alex, skiing at the fields around Wanaka and kayaking in local rivers.

I‘m not sure exactly when the penny dropped, but sometime during my teenage years rather than resenting this time spent in the outdoors I started to really enjoy it.

Following high school, I moved to Dunedin where I studied psychology at Otago Uni. I spent a year or two figuring out how to make good life choices without mum and dad around and in the process made some lifelong friends who shared a mutual love of the outdoors.

During my time at Uni I decided that working with people was something that I was super passionate about so I trained as a primary school teacher and spent the best part of three years teaching at St Clair Primary in Dunedin. In 2015 I moved up to little old Anakiwa and traded the whiteboards and exercise books for rivers and bush - I haven’t looked back since.

What attracted you to working at OB?

I completed an Outward Bound course in 2005, straight after finishing high school. While in Anakiwa I was totally taken back by the tone of the organisation. Everyone who worked there seemed so positive, energetic and generally just super stoked on life.

This feeling stuck with me and eventually, ten years later, the ducks aligned and I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to come back to work here myself.

What do you most enjoy about being an OB Instructor?
The purpose of our role and the growth we experience from working here. It’s flipp’n awesome to have a position where your job is to support people to be the best they can be.

Also, you can’t help but learn and grow yourself when you’re totally immersed in a culture of personal development.

What’s your favourite OB meal?

Pad Thai... No, the gnocchi!... Maybe the ricotta balls?

All of the above.

If I wasn't an OB Instructor I'd be a…?
Catering Manager at OB.

Stef

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I grew up in the wops on a sheep and beef farm, getting outside from a young age with lots of family camping trips in the North Island. I come from a big family where I am the second youngest so naturally have a bit of fight in me having to contend with heaps of older siblings. I love being creative, making stuff with natural fibres, sewing, building stuff with pallets, painting etc. generally making cool stuff out of minimal resources.

Once I had done an Outward Bound course in 2007 I had a new found direction to pursue a career in the outdoors, and thought it would be pretty kick ass to be an instructor at OB. I chose the furthest place away from my hometown to complete my Degree in Outdoor Education and worked away ticking all the boxes to end up at OB, dragging my husband along in the process! Winning!

In my spare time I love running, mountain biking, tramping, kayaking and pretty much anything you can do in the outdoors. I also love sleep, the struggle is real when instructing at OB.

What attracted you to working at OB?

When I heard about Outward Bound in secondary school I was keen to push myself further so I worked hard to save money and fundraise to come on an Outward Bound Course. In 2007 I completed a MBS course and since then have always aspired to work in the outdoors and follow a career path that would see me coming back to Outward Bound to help out others realise their potential and follow their own aspirations.

What do you most enjoy about being an OB Instructor?

Seeing people give a difficult challenge their absolute all and seeing their face afterwards with their new found realisation of what they are actually capable of. That and working amongst some of the best colleagues you can have.

What's your favourite OB meal?

Pork crackling.

If I wasn't an OB Instructor I'd be a…?

Bitter middle aged woman whose favorite sayings would be "Oh my Giddy aunt..." and "kids today are too well fed" whilst frowning a lot.

Tristan

Tui

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I was born in a wee place called Inangahua Junction on the West Coast of the South Island. We cooked on a coal range, read by candlelight, and our water came from a creek out the back.

My brothers and I would play outside, building huts in the bush, playing with the chooks, and riding our horse down to the swimming hole up the road. As I was growing up we lived in a few different places: Wainui on Banks Peninsula, the Awatere Valley near the Molesworth, and Lees Valley, inland Canterbury. But most of my childhood was spent in Golden Bay.

I was on Correspondence School until I was about 10 (as a young kid, being able to spell correspondence was a great party trick) and then went to the local primary school for a few terms before moving on to high school.

After Year 13, I studied for two years at Tai Poutini Polytechnic, gaining a Certificate in Outdoor Recreation, and a Diploma in Outdoor Instruction and Guiding. In between years of study I began working as a sea kayak guide in Abel Tasman National Park, and ended up working there for about 4 seasons.

After spending some time in Chile, I worked in Australia for a year (mostly in Victoria) for The Outdoor Education Group, instructing ages from 10-18 on programmes from 3-10 days. My final job in Australia was a 28 day programme in Queensland, working with 14/15 year olds from Hong Kong, which was a great highlight. After that I started working at OB, in September 2015, and the rest is history!

What attracted you to working at OB?
I was lucky in that many of my tutors at polytech were ex-OB instructors. When I came here on a 7 day observe in 2012, I saw so many things they had done with us that had clearly been influenced by their time here! Before I started working here I had been to Anakiwa twice, once on that observe, and once on a 5 day staff selection. Both times I was struck by the mauri of this place.

The feeling of support, comfort and safety (in the best possible ways) was like a near-visible aura. As always, when you are immersed in it as home, there are ups and downs, but I stand by the fact that our community and the people we have here do carry that vibe that I noticed when I first arrived here all those years ago.

What do you most enjoy about being an OB Instructor?
Change. Change in the students I work with. From 15 to 67, seeing the joy, excitement, fear, passion, anxieties, hopes and dreams be so real for them, and to see that they are taking something away from their experience.

Change in the places I go. We are always headed somewhere new, and even the places I have been many times are always a little different. Be it the season, the weather, the time of day, or the fact I am there with different people, I love the difference in every day.

Change in myself. We say that being an instructor is a bit like being on a three year Outward Bound course, which in some ways is true. The things I have learnt from my peers, students, and learnt about myself while I have been working here are so valuable.

What’s your favourite OB meal?

Dessert. Preferably before dinner. Especially apple crumble.

If I wasn't an OB Instructor I'd be a…?
Helicopter pilot oceanographer who writes songs and cooks.

Watson

Instructor stories

The Outward Bound experience would be nothing without the instructors! To find out more about the amazing people that take our courses, click the stories below, or click here for more profiles.

Preparing for a big adventure

Team OB have just set off on their big GODZone adventure, however the real adventure started well over 12 months ago for the team, or – one could argue – has been years in the making. Read more

Nick Williamson

Nick joined the OB team in September 2015. He came from a background in Primary School teaching and Adventure Racing, and is currently training to take on the massive GODZone Adventure Race next year. Read more

Instructor Recruitment

Our instructors are exceptional people. They come from a variety of backgrounds. Some are already outdoor instructors, teachers or guides, and some come to us for a change in career. Either way they have great life experience, and are able to deliver a programme of outdoor activities, and facilitate powerful learning that transfers back to real life.

There are opportunities for instructors to work a range of different programmes, from teenagers, to masters, tangata whenua to business leaders. Staff often develop their skills in particular areas and become expert at delivering specific courses.

Become an Instructor:

Ideal applicants are passionate about working with people, have experience and skills for working in the outdoors, have or are able to get instructing qualifications, and are able to inspire others to learn and grow.

Application forms

Instructor Application 2018 (This opens a PDF file and requires Adobe PDF Viewer).

The first step:

Applications for 2018 are welcome at any time of year as recruitment is an ongoing process. Applications for the January 2018 intake have closed, however a second intake may take place later in the year.

Instructor internships - Applications open

Do you want to become an Outward Bound instructor, but you need to brush up on a few skills? We are offering 4-6 instructor internships at our Anakiwa school.

You'll gain valuable experience while working alongside our amazing instructor team.

We'll provide your food, accommodation, access to our equipment, and lots of time in the outdoors.

You'll need a positive attitude, a full driving licence (including Class 2 if possible) and a passion for Outward Bound's work.

Fill in our instructor application form to apply for an internship.

Anyone wanting more information about getting work as an instructor, or advice about preparing for the selection process, please contact anakiwa@outwardbound.co.nz.

Instructor FAQs

Show Answer Do you hire instructors from overseas?

In order to hire staff from overseas, we need to show New Zealand’s Immigration Department that we are unable to find a New Zealander to perform the same role. We also need to show that the overseas applicant has all the skills required to perform the role.

If you are an international applicant, and interested in applying to work for us, you will need to fulfil this criteria. You will also need to apply for a new 12-month work visa every year, as you will be expected to undertake a full three year contract with us here at Outward Bound.

Currently we have a need for instructors with skills in a number of outdoor activities, with an emphasis on sailing and instructing - feel free to get in touch!

Show Answer How many selection courses do you run each year?

We generally run one selection course each year. The dates are advertised on our website here and sent to our growing list of people interested in working for us.

If you are keen to work at Outward Bound as an instructor, but our dates are not advertised on the website, please get in touch!

Show Answer Have I got enough experience to be an instructor?

It's best to complete an Instructor Application Form and Summary of Previous Experience form, and send these to our training manager. You can find these here.

We're happy to give you feedback once we've received your information.

Show Answer What is an instructors work schedule like?

Generally you are contracted to work 200 days per year, including staff training (20 days). Typically you work 17 days of each 21 day course, you get 4 days off during course time and at least 5 days off between courses.

You don't work more than 9 days in a row. After working 5 courses you'll often get 5-6 weeks off, twice a year.

View all our Frequently Asked Questions