Outward Bound Anakiwa

Giving back to our community

In late March 2024, scholarship recipients travelled to the Outward Bound at Anakiwa in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds to attend their 8-day course. Together with their watchmates, they built courage and resilience, experienced success as a member of a team, identified their own values, developed an appreciation for the natural environment and experienced being of service.

In attendance were 5 males and 5 females range in age from early 30’s to mid 60’s.  All coming together and bringing different challenges, hurdles and expertise.  At the beginning no-one knew who was attending and they were strangers, only to return back into the region as one unit – whanau!

The word ‘privileged’ came across very strongly from all participants. One mentioning that this opportunity is very rarely handed out to rural families and communities. The dedicated time away, off the farm, was more beneficial than they initially thought it would be. A participant's spouse says that “no time is ever a good time for time off” as a business/landowner, farmer, or employee in a rural industry.

All participants disclosed that the near 40-hour solo bush stay was the most impactful. When items and gear started getting removed from their possession, many were unsure how this would pan out for them. However, they went on to say that the depth of self-reflection was eye opening, with some being able to outline where they saw room for personal development.

Connectedness, feeling of growth as brothers/sisters, and for one the style of learnings linking closely with WW1 regimes were a highlight. This began with meeting and learning of their course participants an hour before their flight to the South Island, their x1 night of accommodation and the ability to share a meal with each other prior to beginning the course. Laughter was also at an all-time high. The variety of participants, from employment to age, was so widespread it gave everyone something other than farming to discuss at times.

Their goals and outcomes were to Discover their Mauri ora - Best Self by developing Connection, Compassion, Responsibility and Resilience, in relation to themselves, other people, values and the natural world.

Their self-reflection, confidence, motivation and awareness superseded their expectation as did their social awareness, communication and appreciation of diversity.  Not to forget their problem solving, goal setting and decision making.  All achieved in a safe and supportive environment.  This was gained from working within Whakawhanaungatanga, adventures and challenge – wero, Kaitiakitanga and active reflection.

All returning to Tairawhiti feeling more motivated, revived, positive and more connected with themselves, to feel powerful to be able to help & support those in and around their community after dealing with such a challenging year from the Cyclone and weather events thereafter.

From this experience one of the recipient Sophie Land, 35-year-old Farmer from Whangara gained so much from her OB Experience she wanted to give back to her local RST and came up with “East Coast Loop” Walk.

On 7^th September, they departed from town clock in Gisborne and headed East, each day taking on a new leg on SH35, seeing the beautiful scenery, stopping and talking to people along the way, spreading the word of what RST is about and raising awareness of the Mental/wellbeing in support of farmers and rural communities.

Literally through “blood, sweat and tears” they weathered the cold, rain and heat, taking day by day.  Some days easier than others, some days very challenging both physically and mentally.  One thing that got them through it all was the teamwork, the laughter and the encouragement!  The supporters were amazing, it gave the team more purpose with each toot, cheer & Koha received!

They made their week-long journey on foot in support of RST Tairawhiti. Sophie and the team from Outward Bound and following supporters were met by wild cheers, hugs and tears of joy by a big crowd of family and supporters upon their triumphal return back to the Gisborne town clock, with 475km under their feet.