Outdoors Awards

Our Outdoors Awards celebrate individuals and locations that have significantly enhanced outdoor recreation outcomes across Aotearoa. 

Award categories

Judging Criteria – Te Whetū Rehua

• Demonstrates the use of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga – elements central to identity and the strengthening of a unique Māori identity.
• Demonstrates a commitment to employing Māori in governance, management and/or delivery roles.
• Engages and provides opportunities for Māori whānau, hapū and iwi.
• Delivered in places, venues and facilities that have significance to Māori through whakapapa connections. These could be traditional or contemporary places and spaces.
• Practices activities in outdoor environments that have whakapapa to Māori origins.

Te Tohu - Tiakina Taiao
Environmental Leadership Award

Recognises a programme/organisation/event that has influenced the ecological worldview of participants and/or demonstrated a significant commitment to conservation or protection of outdoor recreation places.

See who won Te Tohu - Tiakina Taiao Environmental Leadership Award 2024

Judging Criteria – Te Whetū Rehua 

• Embodies wairuatanga – nurturing a spiritual connection to all things living. 
• Positively influences the ecological worldview of participants.
• Shows significant commitment to the preservation of the environment and outdoor recreation places. 
• Demonstrates a commitment to operating in a manner that recognises and respects the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
  Promotes and utilises best practice in outdoor safety.

Te Tohu Whakaaweawe Kaupapa - 
Outstanding Event / Programme Award

Recognises the significant contribution that events and programmes make to outdoor recreation and adventure activities in New Zealand.

See who won Te Tohu Whakaaweawe Kaupapa Outstanding Event / Programme Award 2024

Judging Criteria – Te Whetū Rehua 

• Develops whanaungatanga - the process of establishing mutually beneficial relationships throughout the recreation sector. 
• Engages with their community, meeting their needs. 
• Demonstrates an environmentally responsible approach.
• Demonstrates a commitment to operating in a manner that recognises and respects the significance of te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Promotes and utilises best practice in outdoor safety.

Te Tohu - Manu Kura
Supreme Award

Recognises an individual with mana in the outdoor sector, who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in outdoor recreation.

See who won Te Tohu Manu Kura Supreme Award 2024

Judging Criteria – Te Whetū Rehua 

• Embodies rangatiratanga – leadership that encourages and inspires others to achieve positive outcomes. 
• Evidence of leadership and/or mentoring roles undertaken.
• Contribution to significant initiatives, programmes and/or events in outdoor recreation.
• Demonstrates a commitment to operating in a manner that recognises and respects the significance of te Tiriti o Waitangi.
   

How to apply

All nominations must supply:

• A written submission via the online application form, which provides data/evidence to show how the applicant meets each of the judging criteria. Please note: Maximum of 400 words per criteria.
• A one-minute video that gives a high-level overview of the applicant. Please note: this is not needed for the Supreme Award.
• Three good quality photos that showcase the applicant.
• In addition to the above, nominations for the Supreme Award must also include letters of support for the nominated individual, from two other people.

Applications/nominations must respond to each of the judging criteria specified for each award. Applications that do not address or provide relevant evidence for each criteria will likely score lower than those that do.

Photos and videos may be used to showcase the applicants and winners at the Awards Presentation Dinner. 

Who can apply?

• Any individual, organisation, event or programme that's involved in outdoor recreation. This includes outdoor education, adventure activities and Māori tourism.
• An organisation, event or programme can apply for recognition themselves, or be nominated by another party.
• The Supreme Award is awarded to an individual.
• The programme, organisation or event applying or being nominated must have operated at least biennially for a minimum of two years.
• Applications can be for a specific programme within a larger organisation.
• Applicants do not need to be members of Recreation Aotearoa; however, they will be given automatic virtual membership.

Need help with your nomination? 

We got you. Watch our webinar on how to make a great application.