Holiday Programmes

This winter, join us for an intensive two-day Backcountry Skills & Hiking Programme designed specifically for teens ready to extend their limits. Across two epic days, we will explore the rugged landscapes of Hawke’s Bay, pushing into alpine environments and learning a wide range of outdoor skills.

Designed for youth who want to build genuine self-reliance in the wild, this programme combines challenging tramps with practical bushcraft, navigation, and teamwork under the guidance of two experienced instructors.

Dates: 15 & 16 of July
Age Range: 13 – 17 years
Cost: $245 + GST (both days)

Drop-off & Pick-up: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Havelock North Village Green (33 Te Mata Road)

Planned Locations

Wednesday 15 July: Blowhard Bush Reserve & Tutaekuri Riverbed

• Morning: Navigation and emergency survival skills intensive at Blowhard Bush.
• Afternoon: Bivvy construction and flint-and-steel fire skills at the Tutaekuri Riverbed. We will finish the day by analyzing live weather forecasts to collectively plan our route for Day Two.

Thursday 16 July: Twin Lakes & Mt Kuripapango Alpine Tramp

• Full Day: Putting new skills to the test. A challenging, high-altitude hike passing the Twin Lakes and climbing up Mt Kuripapango into the alpine and tussock environment.

🌧️ Wet Weather Options: Both locations—especially the alpine terrain of Mt Kuripapango—are strictly weather-dependent. If conditions are unsafe, suitable backcountry back-up locations will be selected by the instructors on the day based on the forecast.
Please Note: If the programme has to be cancelled completely due to severe or dangerous weather, a full refund will be supplied.

Activities & Equipment

Each day is designed to challenge and extend participants, moving beyond basic outdoor fun into true backcountry competency. Led by two instructors, teens will learn to assess risks, make decisions as a team, and put their physical and mental resilience to the test.

Activities over the two-day block will include:

• Navigation: Map reading, contours, and compass work
• Emergency Skills: Survival scenarios and backcountry risk assessment
• Shelter Building: Sourcing materials and constructing weatherproof bivvys
• Flint & Steel Fire Craft: Sourcing natural tinder and kindling to light fires without matches
• Weather Interpretation: Learning to read complex forecasts and trip-plan accordingly
• Alpine Tramping: Managing pace, gear, and energy in steep, exposed terrain

Compulsory Gear List: Because we are heading into an exposed alpine environment in July, the following gear is strictly required for safety:

• Comfortable backpack (to carry layers, lunch, and gear)
• Quality rain jacket
• Warm jersey or puffer jacket
• Thermal top and bottoms
• Sturdy shoes or boots with good grip
• Beanie or buff

Why KOA?

KOA programmes are designed duly to give youth positive outdoor experiences that build confidence, resilience, independence, and connection with nature — all while having an awesome time outdoors with others.

Spaces are strictly limited to 10 to ensure a safe instructor-to-student ratio! Get in touch early to secure your teenager's spot for this ultimate winter challenge.

This winter, join This winter, join KOA – Karearea Outdoor Adventures for four epic days of hiking, bushcraft, river adventures, and outdoor fun across some of Hawke’s Bay’s best bush tracks, reserves, and coastal landscapes. Designed for tamariki who love being active outdoors, each day combines adventure, practical skill-building, teamwork, and plenty of fun in a safe and supportive environment.

Whether your child joins us for one day or multiple, every day is a brand-new adventure!

Dates: 6 – 9 July 2026 - Bonus Days 13 & 14 July
Age Range: 8 – 14 years
Cost: $85 + GST per day

Daily Schedule

Drop-off: 8:30 am – Havelock North Village Green (33 Te Mata Road)
Pick-up: 4:00 pm – same location

What to Expect

Each day includes relaxed hiking through native bush, rivers, and coastal environments, combined with hands-on bushcraft sessions and outdoor challenges. Tamariki will build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and practical outdoor skills while exploring the natural environment.

Activities vary each day depending on the location but over the week will include:

• Shelter building and fly camping skills
• Fire lighting and outdoor cooking basics (at specific locations)
• Navigation and map reading
• Knife and tool safety skills
• Survival and emergency scenarios
• Native plant and wildlife discovery
• Team games and outdoor challenges
• Eeling (hookless catch & release at specific locations)

Planned Locations

Week One

Monday: Whitepine Scenic Reserve, Waipatiki Coastal Track & Tangoio Beach - Fire Skills included
Tuesday: Blowhard Bush Reserve & Karamu Stream - Eeling included
Wednesday: Mohi Bush Reserve & Mareatotara Stream – Eeling included
Thursday: Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve, Karakau Coastal Walk & Tukituki Riverbed – Fire Skills included

Week Two

Monday: Aramoana Coastal Hike (Te Angiangi Marine Reserve) & Tukituki Riverbed - Fire Skills included

Tuesday: Boundry Stream Reserve (Kamahi Loop Track) & Lake Tutira - Bivvy Included

Wet Weather Options

If weather conditions aren’t suitable, we’ll head to sheltered back-up locations including:

• Te Mata Park
• Tukituki Riverbed
• Waipatiki Reserve

Why KOA?

KOA programmes are designed to give tamariki positive outdoor experiences that build confidence, resilience, independence, and connection with nature — all while having an awesome time outdoors with others.

Only 11 spaces available per day, so get in touch early to secure your child’s spot for this winter adventure!

We’re excited to announce our 3-day Spring Surfing & Water Safety Programme, run in partnership with Andy from Waves 4 Wellness! Over three action-packed days, tamariki will have the opportunity to build their skills and confidence in the water, developing both surfing technique and essential ocean safety knowledge. (Participants sign up for the full 3-day programme.)

Dates:

• April 7-9 2026 (Full - Waitlist Open)

Details:
Each day includes two 1.5-hour surf sessions and a land-based water safety activity, designed to build confidence, skills, and ocean awareness. All board and wetsuit hire is included.

• Locations: Waimārama & Ocean Beach
• Drop-off / Pick-up: Havelock North Village Green (33 Te Mata Rd)
• Times: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
• Cost: $275 + GST for 3 days
• Age Range: 9 -15 Years

Limited to 11 spots per programme!

This is an excellent opportunity for tamariki to develop their surfing skills, learn essential water safety techniques, and enjoy the summer in the waves with a highly experienced team of instructors. Get in touch today to secure your child's spot!

Join KOA for four epic days exploring some of Hawke’s Bay’s most stunning forests, rivers, and coastal trails! Each day combines hiking, bushcraft, river crossing, swimming, and hands-on outdoor learning in a safe, supportive environment.

Dates: 14-17 April 2026
Age Range: 8 – 14 years
Cost: $85 + GST per day or sign up for multiple days!

Daily Schedule:
Drop-off: 8:30 am – Havelock North Village Green (33 Te Mata Road)
Pick-up: 4:00 pm – same location

Programme Overview:
Each day features up to 3 hours of relaxed hiking through incredible bush and coastal landscapes, alongside two practical bushcraft sessions where tamariki will learn a mixture of:

• Shelter building and rope skills
• Navigation and map reading
• River crossing techniques
• Emergency and survival skills
• Knife skills
• Nature discovery – identifying native plants and wildlife
• Team challenges, games, and plenty of fun!

Planned Locations:

• Tuesday: Boundry Stream Reserve - Kamahi Loop Track + swimming in stream during the hike
• Wednesday: Blowhard Bush Reserve + river crossing & swimming in the Lower Tūtaekurī River
• Thursday: Mohi Bush Reserve + river crossing & swimming in the Mareatotara Stream (not the falls)
• Friday: Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve & Karakau Coastal Hike + beach swim

In case of bad weather, we’ll head to sheltered back-up locations, including:

• Te Mata Peak
• Waipatiki Reserve

Come for one day or join us for multiple — every day is a new adventure in the wild! Only 11 places available, so get in touch today to secure your child's spot!

Join KOA for four epic days exploring some of Hawke’s Bay’s most stunning forests, rivers, and coastal trails! Each day combines hiking, bushcraft, river crossing, swimming, and hands-on outdoor learning in a safe, supportive environment.

Dates: 19th – 22nd January 2026
Age Range: 8 – 14 years
Cost: $85 per day or sign up for multiple days!

Daily Schedule:
Drop-off: 8:30 am – Havelock North Village Green (33 Te Mata Road)
Pick-up: 4:30 pm – same location

Programme Overview:
Each day features up to 3 hours of relaxed hiking through incredible bush and coastal landscapes, alongside two practical bushcraft sessions where tamariki will learn a mixture of:

• Shelter building and rope skills
• Navigation and map reading
• River crossing techniques
• Emergency and survival skills
• Knife skills
• Nature discovery – identifying native plants and wildlife
• Team challenges, games, and plenty of fun!

Planned Locations:

• Monday (Full - Waitlist Open): Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve & Karakau Coastal Hike + beach swim
• Tuesday (Full - Waitlist Open): Blowhard Bush Reserve + river crossing & swimming in the Lower Tūtaekurī River
• Wednesday (Full - Waitlist Open): Mohi Bush Reserve + river crossing & swimming in the Mareatotara Stream (not the falls)
• Thursday (Full - Waitlist Open): Kaweka Twin Lakes + river crossing & swimming in the upper Tūtaekurī River

In case of bad weather, we’ll head to sheltered back-up locations, including:

• Te Mata Peak
• Waipatiki Reserve

Come for one day or join us for multiple — every day is a new adventure in the wild! Only 11 places available, so get in touch today to secure your child's spot!

We’re excited to announce our 3-day Summer Surfing & Water Safety Programmes, run in partnership with Andy from Waves 4 Wellness! Over three action-packed days, tamariki will have the opportunity to build their skills and confidence in the water, developing both surfing technique and essential ocean safety knowledge. (Participants sign up for the full 3-day programme.)

Dates:

• Programme 1: Jan 6–8 2026 (FULL - Waitlist Open)
• Programme 2: Jan 12–14 2026 (FULL - Waitlist Open)

Details:
Each day includes two 1.5-hour surf sessions and a land-based water safety activity, designed to build confidence, skills, and ocean awareness. All board and wetsuit hire is included.

• Locations: Waimārama & Ocean Beach
• Drop-off / Pick-up: Havelock North Village Green (33 Te Mata Rd)
• Times: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Cost: $275 for 3 days
• Age Range: 8-15 Years

Limited to 11 spots per programme!

This is an excellent opportunity for tamariki to develop their surfing skills, learn essential water safety techniques, and enjoy the summer in the waves with a highly experienced team of instructors. Get in touch today to secure your child's spot!