This qualification will provide the outdoor recreation sector with individuals who are able to operate independently under indirect supervision, and lead participants in a specific outdoor activity, where the emphasis is on safety, in low technical yet dynamic outdoor environments.

Graduates will have specialised knowledge and skills to lead 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:

- Prepare for, and lead an outdoor group experience, within defined operating scope, where the emphasis is on participation in low-technical, environments using leadership techniques and strategies.
- Lead an outdoor experience under indirect supervision while operating within the safety management system of an organisation, including being able to assess and respond appropriately within an emergency care situation.
- Apply a framework of kaitiakitanga that includes respect for the tikanga and kawa of local iwi or hapū, sustainability and the environment.

Graduates of the Abseil strand will also be able to:
- Specialise in carrying out single pitch abseiling, including abseil rescue skills.
- Plan for, and lead groups in the abseiling skills required for a positive introductory experience, including appropriate use and care of equipment.

Graduates of the Bush strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare for, organise and lead introductory bush walking activities.

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

Graduates of the Education Outside The Classroom strand will also be able to:
- Plan, manage and evaluate Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC) activities in outdoor settings to meet New Zealand curriculum objectives.

Graduates of the Mountain Biking (Grade 2) strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare for, lead and evaluate mountain bike activities in 'front country' terrain on Mountain Bike New Zealand (MTBNZ) Grade 2 trails.

Graduates of the Raft Guide (Grade II) strand will also be able to:
- Specialise in carrying out rafting activities on moving water up to and including Grade II, as a Grade II Raft Guide.

Graduates of the River Boarding Guide (Grade II) strand will also be able to:
- Specialise in carrying out river boarding activities on moving water up to and including Grade II, as a River Boarding Guide Grade II.

Graduates of the Rock Climbing strand will also be able to:
- Carry out single pitch rock climbing, including rock climbing rescue skills.
- Plan for, and lead groups in the rock climbing skills required for a positive introductory experience, including appropriate use and care of equipment.

Graduates of the Canoeing strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare for, organise and lead introductory canoe activities on flat-water.

Graduates of the High Ropes strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare for, organise and lead traversing and climbing high ropes activities.

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

Graduates of the Sea Kayaking strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare for, organise and lead introductory sea kayaking activities on flat water.

Graduates of the Sit-on-top Kayaking strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare for, organise and lead introductory sit-on-top kayaking activities on flat-water.

Graduates of the Whitewater Kayaking strand will also be able to:
- Plan, prepare for, organise and lead introductory whitewater kayaking activities on flat-water.

This qualification can build on from the New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor Experiences (Level 3) [Ref: 2570], or the New Zealand Certificate in Assistant Outdoor Leadership (Level 3) [Ref: 3658].

This qualification provides a pathway to the New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor Leadership (Guiding) (Level 5) with strands in Bush, Caving, Mountain Biking (Grade 4), National Raft Guide (Grade III), National Raft Guide (Grade IV/V), National River Boarding Guide (Grade III), National River Boarding Guide (Grade IV/V), and Rock Climbing [Ref: 3660], and the New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor Leadership (Instruction) (Level 5) with strands in Alpine, Bush, Caving Streamway, Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC), Mountain Biking (Grade 4), Rock Climbing, Canoeing, High Ropes, Sea Kayaking, and Whitewater Kayaking [Ref: 3661].

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.

Pre-requisite for entry to programmes leading to the Education Outside The Classroom strand:
It is strongly recommended that those wishing to enter this strand be a New Zealand certified teacher.