JOIN OUR KAIAKO / INSTRUCTOR CREW
At Outward Bound, we’re all about helping people push their limits and find their potential through shared adventures in the outdoors. Our Outdoor Instructors / Kaiako are at the heart of this mission - guiding, challenging, and supporting students as they take on epic adventures.
As a Kaiako, you’ll guide students through the stunning Marlborough Sounds, helping them discover resilience, strength, and confidence. From paddling the Moana (sea) to navigating the Ngāhere (bush) or cheering them on as they conquer Piki Toka (rock climbing) and Kahikatea (our high ropes course), every day is an adventure.
We’re always on the lookout for passionate, motivated people to join our team and help us make these life-changing experiences happen. If you’re someone who loves the outdoors, thrives on challenge, and wants to inspire others while growing yourself, we want to hear from you.
Apply to be an Outdoor Instructor / Kaiako at Outward Bound!
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Our Kaiako come from all walks of life. Some were outdoor instructors, teachers and guides, and some came seeking a fresh career path. What unites them is their life experience, passion for people, and ability to deliver a programme of outdoor activities and powerful learning that transfers back to real life.
There is no set pathway to becoming a Kaiako at Outward Bound NZ. Fundamentally, we are looking for passionate and motivated humans with experience working or playing in the outdoors. People who seek growth and development for themselves and for those around them, and most importantly, have an alignment with our Kaupapa and Values.
Our Kaiako range in age from mid-20s to early 60s, with an average age of around 30. We welcome people of all genders, ethnicity or religion - if you're passionate, motivated, and skilled in the outdoors, you'll fit right in here.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Being part of our whānau comes with benefits designed to support your growth, wellbeing, and career. The benefits and remuneration are best seen as a package which includes markedly lower living costs than the real world, with no food costs while working, and accommodation costs that are significantly less than market rates.
Annual expected salary of $52,000 - $62,000
200 workdays per year (20 of which are training days)
Subsidised on-site accommodation with free utilities
All meals provided on days of work
Gear allowance of $2,400 per year and pro deal discounts
$500 Hauora budget per year for health and wellbeing
Training allowance of $800-$1000 and professional supervision sessions
Retention bonus after three years
A supportive and adventurous community
WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED?
We operate in multiple outdoor environments so our Kaiako need to have a base level of skill in these areas, coupled with an ability to teach. However, we accept that people have areas they can grow and develop in, so don’t be put off if you don't have all the necessary skills yet. That’s very normal, and there is no normal pathway to being a Kaiako here. These are the key skills and requirements we look for:
A good level of skill and experience to manage self and students in New Zealand bush, white water, and sea environments.
Rock climbing, high ropes, waka ama, and coasteering are also useful areas to have experience and skill in.
Very strong people skills, particularly the ability to establish rapport
Understanding of and commitment to personal development
Group management and teaching skills
Physical and mental fitness
You can refer to an overview of complete skills required here.
Note: It's not expected that new Kaiako will have all of these skills and experience. The biggest 3 areas we operate in are the Ngahere / Bush, Moana / Sea (sailing), and Tātahi / Whitewater Kayaking. We like people to have skill in 2 of those 3 areas to minimise the growth needed as a new Kaiako.
KIMI KAIAKO COURSE
Appropriate applicants will be invited to join us on our 5-day Kimi Kaiako / Recruitment Course. For some, this is part of the interview process. For others, it's an opportunity to watch and observe what goes on behind the scenes at Outward Bound, with no intention to interview. You'll see Outward Bound in action, including our Kaiako working with students, and learn more about things like accommodation, contracts, safety, operations, and more.
2025 Kimi Kaiako Dates
Below are the dates that we are running Kimi Kaiako/Recruitment courses in 2025. There will typically be 2-4 spaces on these courses and while they’re scheduled for the below dates, will be dependent on having the numbers to run the course.
5 - 9 Jun | 30 Jul - 3 Aug | 23 - 27 Sep | 1-5 Dec
APPLY TO BE A KAIAKO
If you feel aligned with the Outward Bound Kaupapa and have the skills and experience for the role, we want to hear from you! Maybe you feel close but are a little unsure? Please fill out our application form by clicking the button below which is the best way to find out if now is the right time, or what you might need to do to get ready.
If you have any questions about the process, check out our FAQs or get in touch with our Pou Whakaako / Training Manager, Chee Joe at cheejoe@outwardbound.co.nz.
Overseas Applications
Outward Bound NZ is a member of the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme, enabling us to hire international applicants as Kaiako. This process can take a varied amount of time and there are more barriers in place for us to hire internationals, so our requirements for international applicants are at a higher threshold. Please read more information about international applications here.
Not ready yet but want to in the future?
If you love the idea of being an outdoor instructor at Outward Bound but aren't quite ready yet, we've outlined a few different pathways you can take to build the fundamental skillset of an OB Kaiako. Read about Pathways to Becoming an Outward Bound Instructor here.
Start Dates Once Job is Offered
We will typically have two start dates each year for new Kaiako to start the induction process. Those dates are normally around mid-February and mid-August, but may vary slightly from year to year.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Kaiako are contracted to work 200 days per calendar year. 180 days as Kaiako on courses and 20 days of training.
We run one course every month, so 12 courses a year. Each course is a 22-day block and Kaiako work 18 days of that block with 4 days off throughout the block, and a minimum of 5 days off between course blocks. Kaiako don't work more than 9 days in a row. After working 5 courses, they'll often get 4 weeks off, twice a year.
A typical year will have Kaiako work 5 courses on, and then have a complete course off (which often equates to a full calendar month off). This means that there are 2 months of every 12 where they are completely away from working as an instructor. This is to acknowledge that the mahi is super engaging when you are on, so you need time to recover and fill your own cup outside of work.
Typically our Kaiako spend 3-4 years in the role. There is a significant amount training and upskilling involved from both our organisation and our Kaiako so we ask that people stay with us for 3-4 years.
There are succession opportunities within the organisation such as becoming a Duty Manager, mentoring new Kaiako, and supporting the development of your peers in training. Beyond instructing, there are a range of management opportunities that arise periodically.
Staff training involves 16 days of communal training annually scheduled within course breaks, and 4 days of personal training. The personal training has an allowance attached to it and the type of training is bespoke to each Kaiako.
Outward Bound NZ is situated in Anakiwa, Marlborough, NZ. In Te Tau Ihu, the prow of Te Waka a Maui, the top of the South Island, it’s a stunning playground for all of the natural spaces we operate in. Our school has been here since it was established in 1962 and the facilities and community have grown over this time.
Our onsite community is around 50-60, which includes whānau / family of staff. We have approximately 28 Kaiako and 20 other staff on site.
Yes! We are a member of the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme which smooths the process for overseas applicants wanting to work with us.
We deliver courses to independent individuals aged 16+yrs. To date, our oldest student has been 82 years. We run a Leaps & Bounds course for 13-15yr olds who are accompanied by their parent or caregiver. We also offer a range of courses for physically and intellectually disabled students.
There are a number of courses you can do that offer training towards becoming an Outdoor Instructor and give you a good baseline of skill. Further to this, some companies and clubs offer shorter, targeted courses to gain skills in certain areas.
Sailing and boat driving is part of the job at Outward Bound, so learning dinghy sailing provides a great base to sailing our cutters, and any power boat driving you can do is beneficial.
As mentioned earlier, there is no specific pathway to becoming an OB instructor. If you’ve been in the workforce for several years, it's likely you have transferrable skills that you can bring. We've put together a more detailed guide on Building the Skillset of an OB Instructor here.
Yes. Often it takes a while to get your accreditation's or experience. Knowing what you currently offer helps us advise you on when you should attend our selection course.
We can also advise you on what you should do to get more skills or the right sort of work experience.
Yes. Each year we offer approximately six observer slots on our Kimi Kaiako course. These are five days long. Observers get to shadow two instructors as they work with their ‘watch’ of 14 students.
The observer role offers you an opportunity to watch an instructor in action. You do not do any instructing yourself. We provide all food and accommodation for the observer. Priority for these slots is given to those with future prospects for employment at Outward Bound.