Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor Experiences (Level 4)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
4
Credits
40
NZSCED
092101
Society and Culture > Sport and Recreation > Sport and
Recreation Activities
Qualification developer
Skills Active Aotearoa
Next review
December 2019
Approval date
February 2015
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide New Zealand with
individuals who are able to work (paid or volunteer) safely as a
member of a group in the outdoors.
It will provide a diverse range of workplaces and communities
with graduates who hold the essential technical skills needed to
manage own personal safety, with an ongoing responsibility for
risk management, while undertaking outdoor experiences in
unfamiliar and dynamic environments.
Graduates will operate under indirect supervision of an outdoor
leader or instructor to safely manage own participation as a
member of a group.
Outcome Statement
Graduate profile
Education pathway
Qualification Reference 2571
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

Operate safely when navigating unfamiliar and
dynamic outdoor environments, including undertaking
risk self-assessment, and following procedures if
circumstances change

Manage themselves, taking into account
equipment, weather, logistics, and safety management to
achieve group objectives while undertaking outdoor
experiences

Maintain personal fitness and the physical skills
required to operate safely while undertaking outdoor
experiences in a dynamic outdoor environment

Apply a framework of tiakitanga that includes
respect for the tikanga and kawa of local iwi or hapū,
sustainability, and the environment while undertaking
outdoor experiences

Apply interpersonal communication skills to operate
effectively during outdoor experiences as a member of a
group
This qualification may build on the New Zealand Certificate in
Outdoor Experiences (Level 3) [Ref: 2570]. Graduates of this
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qualification may wish to undertake further study that leads to
New Zealand qualifications listed on the NZQF at Levels 4 and 5
in the Outdoor Recreation area.
Employment pathway
This qualification may lead to employment (paid or volunteer) or
further study opportunities in the Outdoor Recreation and
Adventure Guiding sectors.
This qualification prepares individuals to operate safely and
competently in unfamiliar and dynamic outdoor environments
while undertaking roles such as:
 Pest Control
 Track Maintenance
 Defence Force Field Personnel
 New Zealand Land Search and Rescue Personnel
 Rangers
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification will be awarded by the accredited provider
that has provided the training leading to the award of this
qualification. The formal certification document will include
the NZQF logo, the Skills Active Aotearoa logo, and the logo
of the tertiary education organisation providing the
programme.
Arrangements for managing
consistency
All TEOs either arranging or delivering programmes that
lead to the award of the qualification are required to
participate in a consistency process scheduled by NZQA.
Further information can be found on the NZQA website.
All TEOs will be required to provide evidence during the
consistency process. Critical evidence relevant to this
qualification will include the following:
Qualification Reference 2571
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015

Industry feedback

Self evaluation (e.g. programme evaluation reports,
moderation outcomes)

Graduate feedback

Progression/destination information

Evidence of relevant learning experience undertaken in
an outdoor experience environment , which may include
o
Logged hours of experience
o
Instructor/guide attestation

NZRRP Registration (where appropriate)

Portfolio of relevant experience including learner selfPage 2 of 4
evaluation of risk and experience
Any other relevant evidence as appropriate.
Credit transfer and recognition of
prior learning arrangements
TEOs delivering programmes leading to the qualification
must have policies and procedures in place for managing
credit transfer, and assessing recognition of prior learning
and recognition of current competency. These policies and
procedures, and associated fees, must be available to
candidates prior to enrolment.
To facilitate credit transfer, education organisations must
clearly demonstrate the equivalency between each of the
outcomes in the graduate profile, and the assessment
components of their programmes.
Minimum standard of achievement
and standards for grade
endorsements
The minimum standard of achievement required for the
award of the qualification will be the achievement of all
graduate outcomes in the graduate profile through
successful completion of an approved programme. There
are no grade endorsements for this qualification
Entry requirements (including
prerequisites to meet regulatory body
or legislative requirements)
Qualification conditions
Overarching conditions relating to the qualification
Conditions for programme
All programmes must be consistent with Codes and principles
structure
relevant to the activity being undertaken including:
Outdoor Safety Code
Water Safety Code
Boat Safety Code
Leave no trace principles
All programmes must ensure that individuals meet relevant
organisational codes of conduct and relevant legislation including
rules and regulations
Conditions for programme
context
Programmes may choose to focus on outdoor recreation activities
from one particular context, or alternately they may be combination
from two or more contexts
Other conditions
The programme must ensure that trainees are operating under the
indirect supervision of an appropriately qualified outdoor leader or
instructor. This person/s may either hold recognised industry
qualifications relevant to the discipline and level of activity or hold
internal competency/approval to operate in this role under
organisational standard operating procedures. Where required the
person will be operating within a recognised and approved safety
management system.
Specific conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
Qualification Reference 2571
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Mandatory or
Optional
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1
Operate safely when navigating
unfamiliar and dynamic outdoor
environments, including
undertaking risk self-assessment,
and following procedures if
circumstances change
Programmes should include the following
topics:
Navigation proficiency/poor visibility
Risk management concepts, strategies
and self-evaluation as a member of a
group
Mandatory
Programmes should include the following
topics:
Mandatory
15 credits
2
Manage themselves, taking into
account equipment, weather,
logistics, and safety management
to achieve group objectives while
undertaking outdoor experiences
10 credits
3
Maintain personal fitness and the
physical skills required to operate
safely while undertaking outdoor
experiences in a dynamic outdoor
environment
5 credits
4
Apply a framework of tiakitanga
that includes respect for the
tikanga and kawa of local iwi or
hapū, sustainability, and the
environment while undertaking
outdoor experiences
Prepare, implement, and evaluate selfmanagement skills in dynamic
environments include:

Equipment

Weather

Emergency care

Local area knowledge
Programmes should include the following
topics:
Maintain personal health and well-being in
the wilderness
Managing and maintaining fitness for
specific outdoor activities
Knowing physical limits, risk factors, and
mitigation strategies for specific outdoor
activities
Mandatory
Programmes should include the following
topics:
Leave no trace principles
Sustainability
Respect for the tikanga and kawa of local
iwi or hapū
Mandatory
Programmes should include the following
topics:
Collaborating within a team or group
which has an objective
Communicating as an effective group
member
Evaluate the group process
Mandatory
5 credits
5
Apply interpersonal communication
skills to operate effectively during
outdoor experiences as a member
of a group
5 credits
Qualification Reference 2571
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 4 of 4