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Skills Active Aotearoa’s one-day event for collaboration and conversation among outdoor recreationalists, has generated much enthusiasm for positive change.

The National Outdoors Hui: Spring Forward, which took place earlier this month in Wellington, saw outdoor recreation professionals from around the country gather for a day of 'town hall' style speaker sessions, interspersed with networking and discussion, all around the central theme of making the sector resilient and relevant in the face of change.

This small but lively event was a huge success and punched above its weight in terms of stimulating speakers and highly engaged attendees, made up of a mix of leaders, managers and key stakeholders from across the industry.

Skills Active Chief Executive Dr Grant Davidson considers one of the major highlights to be the presentation of the Supreme Outdoor Award, which recognises an outstanding leader who has contributed to the sector. This award went to long-time outdoor educator Liz Penman.

Dr Davidson advised “the outdoor recreation industry is navigating change on many fronts including the reform of vocational education, school funding policy and a directional shift from Sport New Zealand.

“All of this is taking place in the context of a society which is adapting its uses and perspectives on leisure time, nature, and technology.

Dr Davidson noted that the final session of the day, a group analysis session where there was a shared view that the industry, was made up of motivated and passionate people, united by a desire to keep the outdoors positioned as a central element of Kiwi life.

“He waka eke noa – we are all in this together.

“The discussion concluded that what’s needed may be a ‘kaitiaki group’ with a mandate to speak for the sector, protecting and promoting it in all aspects, and embracing diversity, equity and kaitiakitanga. Perhaps this group could hold ongoing hui to keep bringing the industry together and creating space for collaboration.”

Dr Davidson adds that as a next step, Skills Active will share the hui outcomes with its strategic partners, and will reach out to the outdoor industry to pursue cooperative approaches to the structural changes taking place.

Hui speaker sessions:

Sam Newton (on behalf of Andrew Leslie): Future initiatives and engagement in outdoor recreation

Fiona McDonald: NCEA and achievement standards reform

Grant Davidson: What does ROVE mean for the outdoors industry?

Geoff Barry: Active recreation and youth engagement

Mike Daisley: Change, evolution and the transformation of MSC

Sam Newton: The Living Standards concept and outdoors manifesto

Aidan Tansell: Future directions of adventure activity regulations

Steve Campbell: New kids on the block, engaging youth

Nathan Watson: The key to successful digital content

Jane Zintle: Mana Taiohi – the new look principles of youth development

Brett Holland: Amplifying the voices of organisations through collaboration

Group analysis session: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats

Image: Skills Active Chief Executive Dr Grant Davidson with award winner Liz Penman.

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