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Outdoor Recreation Guide/Instructor

Kaiārahi o Waho/Kaiwhakaako o Waho

Outdoor recreation guides and instructors teach or guide outdoor activities such as rafting, kayaking, canyoning, skiing, hunting, climbing, caving and mountain biking.

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Secondary education

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become an outdoor recreation guide or instructor. However, geography, physical education and English are useful.

Year 11 to 13 students can learn more about the outdoor recreation industry by taking part in a school and workplace partnership through Te Mahi Ako.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3
  • Certificate
  • Diploma

Useful experience

Useful experience for outdoor recreation guides and instructors includes:

  • paid or voluntary leadership of outdoor recreation groups
  • teaching, sales or customer service work
  • work involving contact with the public
  • first aid and accident emergency work
  • conservation work.

What you will do

Outdoor recreation guides and instructors may do some or all of the following:

  • plan outdoor recreation activities and instruction programmes
  • assess risks involved in an activity, taking into account the weather and different clients' abilities
  • lead, guide and teach people taking part in activities
  • provide adventure/outdoor therapy
  • work with at-risk youth
  • act as pre-hospital emergency care responders at large events
  • organise safety procedures including checking equipment, running rescue practices, and providing first aid if necessary
  • prepare recreation areas by doing things such as signposting or fencing off paths and hazards
  • organise bookings, transport, food and accommodation, and drive clients to activities
  • clean and store equipment after use
  • keep logbooks of their trips.

Skills and knowledge

Outdoor recreation guides and instructors need to have:

  • a high level of skill in their outdoor activity or activities
  • knowledge of health and safety procedures relating to activities they undertake
  • outdoor survival and first aid skills
  • knowledge of weather conditions and geography in the area where they work.
Pay

Outdoor recreation guides and instructors usually earn

$48K-$58K

per year

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as an outdoor recreation guide or instructor are good due to demand for skilled practitioners

Industry

Sport and Recreation

Outdoor recreation guides and instructors teach or guide outdoor activities such as rafting, kayaking, canyoning, skiing, hunting, climbing, caving and mountain biking.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements to become an outdoor recreation guide or instructor. However, a diploma in outdoor recreation (Level 5 or 6) is useful, and may be sought after by employers.

Outdoor recreation qualifications from Te Mahi Ako or the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors' Association (NZOIA) may also be useful. Te Mahi Ako oversees outdoor recreational apprenticeships.

You must also have a high level of skill and experience in the relevant outdoor activity.

The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children.

Chances of getting a job

Shortage of qualified guides and instructors

Chances of getting a job as an outdoor recreation guide or instructor are good due to a shortage of qualified instructors and high demand.

According to the Census, 2,241 outdoor recreation guides/instructors worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers and roles varied

Outdoor recreation guides and instructors may work part time, full time, or seasonally for:

  • tourism businesses and/or ski fields
  • outdoor education camps and centres
  • adventure therapy initiatives - eg, supporting youth at risk through long-term therapy in the outdoors
  • emergency services - serving as pre-hospital emergency care (PHEC) responders at large-scale events
  • polytechnics
  • schools.

Find out more about training

NZ Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA)
(03) 435 0864 - info@nzmga.org.nz - www.mountainguides.org.nz
NZ Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA)
(03) 539 0509 - admin@nzoia.org.nz - www.nzoia.org.nz
NZ Professional Hunting Guides Association (NZPHGA)
www.nzphga.com
Te Mahi Ako
0508 475 455 - info@temahiako.org.nz - www.temahiako.org.nz

Progression and specialisations

Outdoor recreation guides and instructors may move into senior, management or training roles, or may set up their own guiding businesses. They may also teach at polytechnics or outdoor recreation centres.

Outdoor recreation guides and instructors usually specialise in an area such as:

Bungy Jump Master
Bungy jump masters direct, supervise and control bungy jumping activities.
Canyoning Guide
Canyoning guides organise and lead canyoning trips.
Fishing Guide
Fishing guides organise and run guided fishing trips for individuals or groups.
Horse Trekking Guide
Horse trekking guides organise and lead trips along beaches, parks and New Zealand's back country.
Hunting Guide
Hunting guides organise and run guided hunting trips for individuals or groups.
Mountain Biking Guide
Mountain biking guides organise and lead mountain bike tours.
Mountain or Glacier Guide
Mountain or glacier guides organise and run guided trips of mountains and glaciers.
Outdoor Adventure Instructor
Outdoor adventure instructors provide education in outdoor adventure sports and bushcraft.
Rock Climbing Guide
Rock climbing guides teach different styles of climbing at indoor climbing walls or on guided climbing trips outdoors.
Ski Field Patroller
Ski field patrollers provide a safe environment for skiers and snowboarders by ensuring conditions are safe, and educating visitors about mountain safety.
Trekking Guide
Trekking guides organise and run guided bushwalking and trekking trips.
Whitewater Rafting Guide
Whitewater rafting guides organise and run guided rafting and kayaking trips on whitewater rivers.

Working conditions

Outdoor recreation guides and instructors:

  • may work long and irregular hours, including weekends and nights
  • work at locations such as national parks, mountains, forests, caves, rivers, lakes and the sea
  • may work in hot, cold, wet, windy or hazardous conditions
  • may travel within New Zealand or overseas to areas where the outdoor activities take place.

Physical Requirements

Outdoor recreation guides and instructors need to have excellent fitness and health. They must be strong as they may have to transport equipment, walk, cycle, ski or ride long distances, or take part in a range of physical activities.

Useful personal qualities

Outdoor recreation guides and instructors need to be:

  • mature, responsible and able to stay calm in emergencies
  • able to make good decisions under pressure
  • patient, sympathetic and enthusiastic
  • confident in their own abilities and able to inspire confidence in others
  • excellent leaders with good communication skills
  • good at planning and organisation, with strong problem-solving skills
  • able to work as part of a team
  • alert and observant.

Industry

Sport and Recreation

Outdoor recreation guides and instructors teach or guide outdoor activities such as rafting, kayaking, canyoning, skiing, hunting, climbing, caving and mountain biking.

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