Outdoor sector a key part of New Zealand’s tourism branding

With peak Outdoors New Zealand and the adventure tourism sector each having faced challenges over the past year, Outdoors NZ Chair Josie Ogden-Schroeder has spoken of the importance of adventure tourism and Outdoors NZ’s future role in it.

Speaking after the recent Outdoor Sector Forum in Christchurch, Ogden-Schroeder explained “there is no doubt that the outdoor sector in its widest definition is a pivotal part of the kiwi way of life and our international ‘tourism’ branding.

“The sector itself is not highly geared or resourced, and most organisations or companies working in this field are seasonal and low profit or charitable/voluntary in nature.

“The cultural change of a highly audited environment has been a difficult one for the sector to embrace due to financial/resource barriers, while at the same time there is a strong commitment by all ONZ members to demonstrating best practice in regards to safety.”

Ogden-Schroeder hightlighted how in recent years, and the past year in particular, the outdoor sector overall has been under intense media scrutiny as legislation and regulatory control has increased dramatically following some tragic deaths.

Outdoors NZ’s role is to act as a representative peak body on behalf of a very diverse range of organisations providing outdoor education, recreation and tourism activities to New Zealanders and its visitors, with the organisation having been deeply involved in the development of new regulatory systems and expectations, as well as a range of other issues facing this particular industry.

Following Outdoors NZ’s challenges in the past year, the peak body highlighted that it remains solvent, and that its ongoing financial fiduciary responsibility/risk is minimal to non-existent because of its new arrangement with the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA).

Under the new arrangement, over the next year NZRA will be providing Outdoors NZ programmes and services while Outdoors NZ has no employees and very few costs. 

The recent Forum also saw Arthur Sutherland and Chris Knol co-opted onto the Outdoors NZ Board, which, along with an advisory group of sector members have agreed with Sport NZ and NZRA to explore what the best model for sector support and advocacy could and should be.  

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