The qualification will provide the outdoor recreation sector with individuals who are able to operate independently and provide leadership and guidance for participants during a specific outdoor activity. The emphasis of the qualification is on the provision of safe and enjoyable experiences in a dynamic outdoor environment.

Graduates will have specialised knowledge and skills to lead and guide a specific outdoor recreation activity depending on which strand is achieved.

Graduates will contribute to the cultural, social and economic wellbeing of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Graduates of this qualification may apply for full registration on the New Zealand Register of Recreation Professionals (NZRRP).

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

- Independently plan, prepare for and guide safe and enjoyable adventure activities in a dynamic outdoor environment.
- Exercise judgement to plan, prepare and guide an adventure activity that is consistent with the safety management system of an organisation, including being able to assess and manage an emergency care situation.
- Role model the principles of kaitiakitanga that incorporate respect for the tikanga and kawa of local iwi or hapū, sustainability, and the environment in which they are operating.

Graduates of the Bush strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare, organise and guide bush walking activities including multi-day trips on clearly marked or defined routes and tracks.

Graduates of the Caving strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare, organise and guide caving activities.

Graduates of the Mountain Biking (Grade 4) strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare for, guide and evaluate mountain bike activities on up to and including Mountain Bike New Zealand (MTBNZ) Trails Grade 4, including in 'back country' terrain.

Graduates of the National Raft Guide (Grade III) strand will also be able to:
- Specialise in planning, preparing for, leading and evaluating rafting activities, on moving water up to and including Grade III, as a National Raft Guide Grade III.

Graduates of the National Raft Guide (Grade IV/V) strand will also be able to:
- Specialise in planning, preparing for, leading and evaluating rafting activities, on moving water up to and including grade V, as a National Raft Guide Grade IV/V.

Graduates of the National River Boarding Guide (Grade III) strand will also be able to:
- Specialise in planning, preparing for, leading and evaluating river boarding activities, on moving water up to and including Grade III, as a River Boarding Guide Grade III.

Graduates of the National River Boarding Guide (Grade IV/V) strand will also be able to:
- Specialise in planning, preparing for, leading and evaluating river boarding activities, on moving water up to and including Grade V, as a National River Boarding Guide Grade IV/V.

Graduates of the Rock Climbing strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare for, lead and evaluate single pitch rock climbing activities, including multi-day trips, and guiding single pitch rock climbing activities.

Graduates of the Canoeing strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare, organise and guide canoeing activities including multi-days trips on up to and including Class 2 whitewater.

Graduates of the High Wire strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare, organise and guide high wire activities.

Graduates of the Sea Kayaking strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare, organise and guide sea kayaking activities including multi-days trips.

Graduates of the Whitewater Kayaking strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare, organise and guide white water kayaking activities including multi-days trips on up to and including Class 2 whitewater.

This qualification builds on New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor Leadership (Level 4) with strands in Abseil, Bush, Caving, Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC), Mountain Biking (Grade 2), Raft Guide (Grade II), River Boarding Guide (Grade II), Rock Climbing, Canoeing, High Ropes, High Wire, Sea Kayaking, Sit-on-top Kayaking, and Whitewater Kayaking [Ref: 3662].

This qualification provides a pathway to the New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor Senior Leadership (Level 6) with strands in Alpine, Bush, Caving, Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC), Mountain Biking (Grade 5), Senior Raft Guide (Grade III), Senior Raft Guide (Grade IV/V), Senior River Boarding Guide (Grade III), Senior River Boarding Guide (Grade IV/V), Rock Climbing, High Ropes, High Wire, Sea Kayaking, and Whitewater Kayaking [Ref: 3663].

Organisations or workplaces within the Outdoor Recreation sector may be covered by The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 dependent on their organisation type or whether they provide services to organisations' responsible for children and/or youth.

Where a learner engages with an organisation and/or activity that is covered by The Vulnerable Children Act 2014, they must successfully meet the safety check requirements.

For the purpose of this qualification, engagement may mean employment, practical experience or any learning and assessment within a programme leading to this qualification.

Requirement for the award of the following strands:
National Raft Guide (Grade III), National Raft Guide (Grade IV/V), National River Boarding Guide (Grade III), National River Boarding Guide (Grade IV/V)

To meet the requirements of the Maritime New Zealand Rule Part 81 learners must demonstrate that they have current River Rescue Skills. This must be evidenced by the completion of a New Zealand Rivers Association for Professional Guides (NZRA) River Rescue Workshop, Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT2) or River Rescue Certification for Professionals (RRC-PRO) or NZRA recognised equivalents. This workshop must have been completed within the last 18 months and therefore may need to form part of the programme towards the relevant strand.