2021-2030
At Outward Bound New Zealand, we recognise the world is changing, and we have a valuable role to play in building a sustainable future for Aotearoa.
To do this, we know we need to adapt. As society grows and changes, so must we. This guiding framework will enable us to innovate, make decisions and allocate resources, without losing sight of our goal. That is, to reach more Rangatahi in Aotearoa, so they can be ready for a changing world.
This framework sets out three priorities that will guide us through the next horizon. These priorities are interdependent and need to be balanced. We have also identified what success looks like, so that we can track our progress against targets in each area.
This long-term strategic vision is anchored in our enduring commitment to make a difference to the lives of more rangatahi and to support them to take on whatever challenges life might throw at them.
Sidak Malhi (Sid) experienced her life 'a-ha’ moment as a member of Cobham watch 678. That moment when she truly understood the what, why, how and where for her personal journey.
It is these moments that Outward Bound facilitates.
A couple of months ago, I got a scholarship from some of my community work to head to Outward Bound and honestly, I’m still working on how to be a functioning member of society after one of the most incredible things I’ve ever done.
I mean people always joke about it but I genuinely didn’t expect a few weeks off the grid in Anakiwa to be so physically, mentally and emotionally challenging and then to change my perspective on life! ✨
Speaking of life...life feels a little different to me now. Life looks like huddling in a sailboat under the Milky Way in the Outer Sounds. Life looks like the Pelorus with its beachy sandbanks and birds whistling as your mates paddleboard their kayaks backwards down a bunch of rapids.
Life looks like a snowstorm as I summit a mountain peak in the glory of a mid-winter expedition and the fantail that circled me as the borderline hypothermia left my body.
Life looks like Davies Bay where the friend on my right became a safe haven and the one on my left I’m pretty sure put the stars in the sky, or at least I can say he put up mine.
Life is an instructor whose parallels to my own life showed me that choosing a path that’s more personally fulfilling is always on the cards and another who taught me more about myself in one conversation than I’d articulated about myself in years!
And though I can go on, life is hot chocolate friendships - Good for the winter season and if you're lucky, good to hang on to for the rest of your life! ♥️
How freaking lucky am I that that’s my actual life!!!
One night in Deep Creek, I heard this Ziggy Alberts song for the first time. It brought to life an inner dialogue I hadn’t been able to unpack myself and it’s pretty much our group anthem so there was nothing more fitting for a wrap video.
Cobham 678 - this one is for you. Mā Te Wā! Sid
Over almost sixty years the most common feedback we hear from our alumni is ‘life-changing'. That’s a powerful word and one we don’t take for granted.
That consistent endorsement reflects the unique and timeless offering that Outward Bound delivers: a magic recipe of ingredients to deliver life-changing experiences for young and old. This recipe for personal development is best illustrated by showing the interdependent relationship of Tāngata, Tikanga and Tūrangawaewae.
Our overarching aspiration: We have a unique role in building a sustainable future for Aotearoa. By 2030, we will change the lives of twice as many rangatahi New Zealanders with an Outward Bound course, becoming the leading personal development provider for youth as they enter a changing and uncertain world.
Secure Outward Bound’s financial future by moving to a sustainable operating model and a growing Foundation so that future generations of New Zealanders can experience Outward Bound.
Grow our impact beyond Anakiwa with targeted and impactful innovation, both increasing student numbers and deepening our relationships with our community.
Modernise our capabilities and operating model to be an efficient, innovative and responsive organisation where our people can do their best work, and we continue to play a leadership role in society.
We are at the upper limit of the number of students we can sustainably fund through our Foundation every year.
As we face increasing costs and compliance requirements, not only is our current financial model no longer sustainable, we are demanding more and more of our instructors. In addition, we are competing with an increasing number of personal development organisations. Where we have previously relied on our strong brand, we know we need to do more to advocate for the life-changing impact we deliver, and how it’s more relevant today than ever before.
“Our foundation was started in 2002 by our late patron Sir David Levene to support Outward Bound into perpetuity. We must honour this legacy, and protect our future for the next generations.”
To do this, we will focus on three key initiatives:
1. Review how we deliver courses in Anakiwa
We will review our pricing, staffing model and activity base with a goal of break-even operations by 2026, staff sustainability, and adapting our courses to meet the needs of rangatahi today and in the future.
2. Foundation fundraising growth
To ensure that financial disadvantage is no barrier to attending an Outward Bound course in the future, we will invest in fundraising capacity to grow our foundation, build our network of generous supporters, and strengthen our connection with alumni.
3. Tell our story
We will conduct research to demonstrate the social impact of our courses in dollar value to society. We will invest in bolder marketing to raise our external voice and strengthen our brand. In doing this, we will find our voice and advocate for the role we play in building a sustainable future for Aotearoa.
If we are successful, in the lifetime of this strategy we will have grown our Foundation to $30m, and consistently generate a small surplus to be reinvested back into youth opportunities.
Our Anakiwa site is at capacity. With a growing and changing population we are reaching a smaller percentage of New Zealand’s young people every year.
But we know what we do is more relevant today than ever before. With an Outward Bound course, we are uniquely placed to help individuals respond to the challenges of the current environmental, mental health, and covid crises’, and prepare them to engage with a modern, changing world.
There is an opportunity for us to do more, and grow our impact by offering courses in the North Island, meeting a large portion of the population where they are.
This will reduce our environmental footprint and increase accessibility for new demographics.
“By starting with individuals, we have a powerful ripple effect that has a positive influence far beyond the initial students that arrive on our course. This is why we want to reach more individuals.”
1. New locations
With our Kora Programme as the vehicle, we will establish an operating base that is accessible to the Auckland population.
This will enable us to develop life-changing courses for harder to reach students, busy adults and targeted youth groups.
2. Deeper relationships
We will strengthen our network with a deeper and ongoing relationship with our alumni, by connecting digitally, socially and physically beyond course.
This means a focus on how we support our community to live Outward Bound as a lifestyle, long after finishing a course.
3. Professional outreach
More workplaces are seeking out the unique professional development experience that Outward Bound offers as well as wanting to contribute to social good.
Recognising this opportunity, we will significantly grow our corporate partnerships to supercharge NZ workplaces, and reinvest 'social profit' back into youth opportunities.
If we are successful, in the lifetime of this strategy we will have established a new site in the upper North Island, that when fully utilised will enable us to reach twice as many students per annum, while staying true to our unique taonga.
Modernise our capabilities and operating model to be an efficient, innovative and responsive organisation where our people can do their best work, and we can continue to play a leadership role in society.
As we look to protect our future and grow our impact, this must be balanced with a focus on our own capabilities.
Manual processes, paper touchpoints, and long instructor hours are no longer conducive to great student and staff experiences. Our students and staff are digital natives, and we must make it easy for them.
Growing concerns over environmental, and cultural challenges also means expectations from students, staff and our supporters are changing. We need to play our part in building a sustainable future for Aotearoa.
"As an organization, we have a unique impact on environmental sustainability. We send our students off into the world to make a positive difference, by equipping them with the practices and mindset to contribute to a better world."
1. A world-class workplace
We are a people-centred organisation, and always will be. With targeted capability building, simple processes, and an inclusive culture that empowers people to do their best work, we will future-proof our workplace and ensure we continue to attract and retain a talented and passionate team.
2. Leadership in sustainability
We will establish a model for environmental and cultural sustainability practices that have the greatest positive impact for our students, staff, and community. This will be focused on what we do (our operations), what we teach (on course), as well as setting and meeting our treaty commitments.
3. Digital transformation
We will work with partners to digitally enable all our internal processes and customer touchpoints to provide a seamless user experience for customers and staff. This includes pre and post-course engagement as well as our back-office processes and systems.
If we are successful, in the lifetime of this strategy we will have received an industry recognised accreditation in sustainability, which will reflect exceptional student and staff experiences, and an organisation contributing to a sustainable future in Aotearoa.
