Grant Faber
The world is undergoing an accelerated rate of societal change. The long-run impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgency for climate sustainability are changing the way we live and work. Outward Bound NZ has an important part to play in strengthening the life skills New Zealanders need to thrive during this change.
It is against this backdrop that the team have been focused not only on the consistent delivery of life-changing course experiences for which the organisation is known, but also accelerated our focus on positioning for the future. As I write this report we are again in lockdown, as we were when I wrote last year’s report. In that time, we achieved 10 months of operation in the financial year, emerging from four months closure to start limited courses in August 2020 and building quickly to full capacity.
One impact of COVID has been an increased focus on individual self-awareness and on what is important in life. This, together with a restricted ability to travel internationally, has seen record course fill, with most courses running significant waitlists. In February we welcomed our new Chief Executive Malindi MacLean to the team. With strategic development momentum slowed due to the first COVID lockdown, Malindi’s priority has been on accelerating a range of key strategic initiatives as outlined in this year’s report. Coming under the umbrella of our More New Zealanders programme, this is very much as it says – enabling more New Zealanders, particularly our youth, to experience the personal development and learnings that come from attending Outward Bound.
With Anakiwa operating at full capacity, and further expansion of that unique site not feasible, we are focused on developing course delivery models that are suitable for other locations. One example of this is the Kora programme which has been piloted in the Wellington region through 2020 and 2021. Participant course outcomes have been very positive, but we will continue to develop the programme ahead of rolling out the programme in other locations.
In addition to the invaluable donor support, over the past 12 months, hundreds of students have received financial support from the Outward Bound Foundation. This level of support is already exceeding the sustainable limit of the Foundation’s investment earnings and expansion of our course delivery programme will increase demand on the Outward Bound Foundation.
A core element of our strategic vision will be the targeted growth of the Foundation from its existing $19 million to $30 million over the next 10 to 15 years. This is a challenging goal, but one we must deliver on if we are to continue to contribute to the positive development of New Zealand society.
As many have stated to me – the life skills that participants learn from attending an Outward Bound course are more relevant today than ever. We need to ensure that all New Zealanders have the opportunity to develop these skills and benefit from the Outward Bound experience. We sincerely thank you all for your ongoing support and know that you will value the strategic initiatives outlined in this report as we work to expand participation opportunities for all.
On behalf of all those associated with Outward Bound I warmly acknowledge the huge efforts of our staff in Anakiwa, Wellington and remotely who pushed through the significant challenges of the temporary shutdown.
This involved substantial work in rescheduling postponed courses, managing course delivery under Level 2 and 1 safety protocols, maintaining essential relationships with funders to ensure ongoing support, and dealing with the many other challenges in the past year.
This effort was made in the interests of an organisation we all passionately believe in, but did not come without personal stress and sacrifice. I also acknowledge and thank my fellow Directors of the Trust and the Trustees of the Foundation. Their voluntary governance has been called upon extensively during the past year. All members have put in significant personal time to support our leadership and governance.
At the close of the financial year, we farewelled Tina van Dijk who relocated with her family to the South Island. Tina has made a significant contribution to Outward Bound in her six years as Commercial Manager and will be sadly missed.
As we entered the current lockdown we received the sad news of the passing of our patron, Sir David Levene. Sir David has been part of the fabric of Outward Bound since its inception in 1962 as a constant supporter, mentor, friend, and inspiration to the organisation for nearly 60 years. His influence will carry on but we have lost one of our closest and most respected members of the OB whānau. Grant Faber Chairman
