Welcome to OTNZ (Outdoor Training NZ)

We are dedicated to providing high quality cost effective bushcraft instruction...
to give you the skills for greater safe enjoyment of the outdoors

Dawn - Mt Ruapehu from Rangiwahia Hut

On this page:
Auckland Courses
Bay of Plenty Courses
Canterbury Courses
Manawatu Courses
Taranaki Courses
Waikato Courses
Wellington Courses
About Our Courses

Outdoor Training NZ Courses Available



Auckland Branch Courses

Upcoming Courses planned by Auckland Branch Outdoor Training NZ:

OTNZ takes its responsibility towards the prevention of Kauri Dieback seriously. We are in the process of establishing new areas of operations where we can provide quality training opportunities, in the Auckland region.

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Bay of Plenty Branch Courses

Upcoming Courses planned by Bay of Plenty Branch Outdoor Training NZ:

The following Bushcraft courses cover the DofEIA training requirements for Adventurous Journeys:

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Canterbury Branch Courses

Upcoming Courses planned by Canterbury Branch Outdoor Training NZ:



If you are interested in joining a course in Canterbury please contact:
Admin - Tania Kendall, 027 675 3333 or email otnzcanterbury@gmail.com

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Manawatu Branch Courses

Upcoming courses planned by Manawatu Branch Outdoor Training NZ:

The following Bushcraft courses cover the DofEIA training requirements but are not exclusive to DofEIA:


For further information on Manawatu Branch OTNZ courses please email Heather Grady: chair@outdoortraining.nz or phone (06) 354 1104 or 021 210 9859.

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Taranaki Branch Courses

Upcoming courses planned by Taranaki Branch Outdoor Training NZ:





  • River Safety Training: $30 per person

    • Rivers have traditionally been the second biggest killer of New Zealanders in the back country.

    The River Safety training provides:

    You do not need to be a confident swimmer to do this course.

    Further information will be provided once registration is completed.

    2020 dates to be confirmed.

    For further information contact: OTNZ Branch secretary at otnz.taranaki@gmail.com.



    For information on Taranaki Courses please contact the Taranaki Chair or Admin.

    Chair - Dave Digby email: nugget2000@xtra.co.nz

    Admin - Gail Geange email: otnz.taranaki@gmail.com or phone (06) 753 4302

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    Waikato Branch Courses
  • Introductory Bushcraft Course - $60 per person

    • Course Information

    This course is for people who would like to get into day or overnight bush tramping but lack the experience to do so safely. The course offers basic bushcraft and campcraft skills suitable for all. The course format includes a classroom based theory evening and an overnight practical trip during a weekend.

    Course fee $60 per person. Registration and payment is required prior to the course.
    An in-depth course to teach skills and knowledge in bushcraft, campcraft and environment care.

    Includes:

    February 2020 Introductory Bush Course

    Tuesday 11th February: Introductory theory, venue TBA, PLUS
    Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th February: Overnight trip: Depart Hamilton - Saturday 8:00 am. Return Hamilton - Sunday 4:00 pm. venue TBA

    March 2020 Introductory Bush Course

    Tuesday 24th March: Introductory theory, venue TBA, PLUS
    Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March: Overnight trip: Depart Hamilton - Saturday 8:00 am. Return Hamilton - Sunday 4:00 pm. venue TBA

    Prerequisites participants must be / have:

    Enquiries to Outdoor Training Waikato:
    Email waikatoadmin@outdoortraining.nz
    Phone (07) 824 0878

    Courses can be run on demand providing there are Instructors available.


  • Basic Navigation Course - $50 per person

    • Course Information

    This course is an introduction to basic navigation and includes theory and practical sessions, covering map reading and compass use. The practical field trip includes learning location awareness in a simple off-track environment and also develops and reinforces the map and compass skills learnt during the theory session.

    Course Fee $50 per person. Registration and payment is required prior to the course.
    An in-depth course to teach skills and knowledge to enable safe navigation in the bush.

    Includes:

    February 2020 Course

    Tuesday 25th February 2020: Theory lesson 6:45 pm to 9:00 pm, venue TBA.
    PLUS (field trip) Saturday 29th February 2020 time 8:30 am to 4.00 pm, Pirongia Forest Park

    March 2020 Course

    Tuesday 10th March 2020: Theory lesson 6:45 pm to 9:00 pm, venue TBA.
    PLUS (field trip) Saturday 14th March 2020 time 8:30 am to 4.00 pm, Pirongia Forest Park

    Prerequisites participants must be / have:

    Enquiries to Outdoor Training Waikato:
    Email waikatoadmin@outdoortraining.nz
    Phone (07) 824 0878

    Courses can be run on demand providing there are Instructors available.

  • Night Navigation Course - $50 per person

    • Course Information

    This course is a introduction to navigating at Night it will cover approximately the same route as taken on our Basic Navigation course

    Course Fee $50 per person. Registration and payment is required prior to the course.
    An in-depth course to teach skills and give you the confidence to navigate during the hours of darkness

    May 2020 Course

    Saturday 16th May time 6.00-10.00pm, Kaniwhaniwha Pirongia Forest Park

    Night navigation. Saturday 16th May Put those skills in place and navigate at night.

    Prerequisites participants must be / have:

    Enquiries to Outdoor Training Waikato:
    Email waikatoadmin@outdoortraining.nz
    Phone (07) 824 0878

    Courses can be run on demand providing there are Instructors available.

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    Wellington Branch Courses

    We run a range of outdoor training courses from specialist courses on Navigation, River Safety, Outdoor Risk Management and Outdoor First Aid to more general ones covering a range of different aspects of Bushcraft.

    Note: the topics covered on all the bushcraft courses are the same, however the level of information covered and practised will increase with each level. All courses involve travel in the bush carrying all your gear, and will require a reasonable level of fitness.

    If you have any questions then please contact wellingtonoutdoortraining@gmail.com

    The following 2020 courses have been organised by the Wellington Branch of OTNZ:

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    About Our Courses

     It is our philosophy that although you can learn facts from books, videos, and the internet about how to have a safe and enjoyable time in the New Zealand outdoors, that there is no substitute for developing personal skills by practical experience under the guidance of highly experienced outdoors people.

    We offer that practical experience to develop your skills in our high quality cost effective instruction courses. We achieve our low course costs because our Instructors are all highly motivated experienced volunteers who want to share their years of experience with you.

    All of our Instructors have industry recognised qualifications in their areas of expertise.

    As Members and Instructors join us we expect to be able to offer a range of Outdoor Training Courses. These courses will include:



    We are offering TWO skill development pathways:

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    Benjamin Franklin: "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."

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