At dawn on 22 June, Te Ātiawa led a very special ceremony to welcome the Rāhiri safety support vessel, the newest member of our fleet, to Anakiwa.
Te Ātiawa iwi hold mana moana and mana whenua across Tōtaranui (Queen Charlotte Sound). Early in the project, we asked Te Ātiawa if they would like to gift a name for the launch.
They selected the name ‘Rāhiri’, which was announced at the blessing. Ngāti Rāhiri were one of the Te Ātiawa hapū (subtribes) who migrated south from Taranaki in the 1800s. Ngāti Rāhiri originally lived at Anakiwa, where our school is today. This is a very significant name and an indication of the strong relationship between Te Ātiawa and Outward Bound.
After years of work with methodical boat builders, and many unforeseen delays, our new launch the Rāhiri was sailed with great delight and pride to Anakiwa by Simon Graney, Innovation Director. Simon, alongside Vic Kroller, Maintenance Manager, started the project in 2018 and oversaw the build from beginning to end.
We delivered Rāhiri up the coast from Lyttleton in late May – quite an undertaking for a brand new boat. As with most custom boat builds there were a few other things that needed attending to, which we achieved through June. She was then put in the Maritime NZ survey and officially joined the fleet in early July after passing all her boat trials.
Thank you very much for the generous support of all our Project Refresh Anakiwa donors. We would not have this very important launch without your commitment to the long term future of Outward Bound.
Over the last two months, the Rāhiri has been proving herself and is now a valued and important part of the Outward Bound fleet, keeping students safe whilst sailing cutters and paddling waka ama.
The Rāhiri sees Project Refresh Anakiwa almost at closure. The project is the most significant capital campaign for Outward Bound since 1983 when the school was rebuilt and reopened to host the first Outward Bound International Conference.
In our 60th year, it is wonderful to know that Outward Bound New Zealand is in a strong position to continue to provide life changing experiences for all Kiwis. Together we have built a legacy and strengthened Anakiwa, the soul of Outward Bound, for future generations.
Thanks to the generosity of The Lion Foundation and our generous supporter whānau we have a brand new Mercedes Sprinter Minibus to transport our students, instructors, and all their gear.
The Sprinter minibus joins our fleet of student passenger trucks in use at our school. These trucks are in constant use by our instructors, delivering students to off-site activities and transporting students and gear between Anakiwa and Picton at the start and end of courses.
Outward Bound trucks are used to transport students to a range of locations for their activities during any given course. Locations include; the start and end of our bush expeditions, solo sites, our two bases for whitewater kayaking on the local rivers, and out to Whites Bay on the coast for coasteering and surf kayaking.
Hamish Reid, Outward Bound School Director
Another important use for our trucks, and an important part of our courses, is the community service projects. Instructors transport students to locations across Marlborough and Tasman. It could be to the Richmond wetland area to weed and plant native trees for wetland development, or to Ngakuta Bay to maintain a section of the Link Pathway (from Picton to Anakiwa) by trimming vegetation and clearing the pathway. Another popular service activity is assisting Marlborough Riding for Disabled with their programmes in Blenheim.
“This is a game changer for Outward Bound. This vehicle is safe, handles the conditions really well, fits our students, instructors, and all our gear. For our adapted students, the more comfortable seating and temperature control is really important. Thank you to our incredible supporters for making this possible.” Hamish Reid, School Director.
Student expectations of comfort have changed. The wooden seats and hard suspension of our current fleet are perfect for muddy students and forest roads, but for some people, the existing trucks feel too rudimentary.
After significant research undertaken by our former School Director, Simon Graney, we chose the Mercedes Sprinter Minibus.
The Sprinter is one of few large vehicles that can be modified to suit Outward Bound requirements. The vehicle is ordered without rear seats and the rear seats are fitted by NZ coach builders to unique NZ passenger vehicle standards and customer requirements. This ensures we have the best configuration for our students and our Outward Bound equipment.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinters are known for their efficiency, safety, comfort, and quality. This vehicle can be driven on a standard class 1 driver’s license with an easily attainable P endorsement.
Over the next years, we intend to upgrade our fleet to include more Sprinters, but we know we’ll need to keep some of the trucks for access to our more remote roads.
A huge ka pai and kia ora again to The Lion Foundation and the Outward Bound supporter whānau for making it possible to continue to transport our students on journeys of adventure and challenge.
The Sprinter van will safely transport our students around the Marlborough region.
Dr Mauī John Mitchell, 1941-2021
We mourned the sad loss of Kaumatua Mauī John Mitchell, on 23 September 2021.
Many former Outward Bound instructors, staff, students, members of the local, and wider community throughout Aotearoa contacted Outward Bound to express their sorrow, pay their respects, and share stories of a kind, generous, knowledgeable, caring, and treasured Rangatira. He was described by his family as a scholar and a gentleman.
Dr Mauī John Mitchell was the third Warden of Outward Bound from 1974 – 1978. He led the school through a transformation and supported the school's introduction of women’s courses, and courses for people with disabilities.
Dr Mauī John Mitchell encouraged and supported the strengthening of the relationship with Te Ātiawa and Outward Bound, an enduring relationship that is a testament to the legacy of this deeply respected Rangatira.
We remember the sad loss of lifelong supporters and leaders of Outward Bound:
Richard Worth - President 1994
Barry Sweet - President 1981
Russell Moller - President 1982
Bob Walters - CEO 1997 to 2002
We are grateful for the many years of dedicated support and service these generous individuals have given to create a strong and resilient organisation ready to provide journeys of self-discovery for another 60 years.
Aroha mai, aroha atu.
Love towards us,love going out from us.
