Rīpoata Tiamana | Chair's Report
If we did not think that the previous two years had been challenging enough for the organisation and country, this past year brought a new set of challenges.
The residual impacts of COVID-19 pandemic lingered, the economy contracted, inflation soared, and catastrophic weather events battered much of the country. All this tested the country’s resilience and resolve yet again.
Against this backdrop, Outward Bound has performed incredibly well and we saw FY23 become one of our strongest participation and revenue results in history.
Alongside this has been the unwavering support from our loyal supporters, donors and key funding partners. Without their investment and generosity, we could not deliver incredible outcomes for our participants and continue to grow as we have done.
Our school infrastructure came through the cyclones relatively unscathed compared to the devastating impacts felt in the eastern regions of the North Island. However, our own road access to Anakiwa and roading links to the wider Marlborough Sounds were badly affected again.
Flood damage to Anakiwa Road
Never an organisation to stand still when faced with a challenge, our Anakiwa team sprang into action and began ferrying supplies and people via our school boats and school jetty to keep the Anakiwa community connected to the outside world.
This is just one of many examples which makes us all feel so proud to be associated with this amazing and selfless organisation. One that has guided 1,718 participants this past year on an Outward Bound course.
As I conclude my first year in the role as Chair I reflect on the part Outward Bound plays in society as one of 36 global schools in 33 countries around the globe. A movement that impacts over 150,000 people annually and is growing. Our vision to foster ‘better people, better communities, and a better world” resonates and links each Outward Bound school globally.
Guided by the vision of our founder Kurt Hahn, four pillars of delivery underpin our pedagogy and programmes:
Physical activity: To develop self-respect, awareness, and health.
Service: To move beyond pity to compassion.
Skill: To develop a sense of mastery over time.
Expedition: To develop self-sufficiency and a spirit of exploration.
I think we would all agree that these pillars make an Outward Bound Programme more relevant and impactful on society today than ever before.
Starting our 61st year of operation in New Zealand we continue to challenge ourselves on how we can make a greater impact on more New Zealanders. This translates into our guiding star of “One in every Whare”.
Karla Paotanu (Fundraising and Partnership Manager) during a site visit in Coromandel
In real terms, this means we are hoping to expand our current Outward Bound impact by delivering our programmes to 3.5 times as many people as we do now. This may sound ambitious, but the board believe we have a duty and know-how to deliver on this.
A cornerstone to achieving “One in every Whare” is our quest to develop a second school in the North Island within 3 hours of Auckland. In the past year, we have narrowed our North Island search to the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula.
We entered into a purchase agreement for a potential property, but after completing due diligence concluded that it was not the right fit. We started a deep dive into a second property.
The board does not underestimate the complexities and challenges of establishing a second base nor the weight on our shoulders to get this right. Our Anakiwa school is incredibly special and nothing we do outside of Tōtaranui | Queen Charlotte Sounds will change this – it is our spiritual home.
There are however capacity constraints in Anakiwa and an untapped population within 3 hours of our biggest city Auckland to capture. We have an experienced team leading this project and we are confident we have the skills, experience, and intellectual property to leverage to make this a success.
I’d like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of our management team on this project over the past year and in particular, Strategy and Innovation Director Simon Graney. As this project will need to be independently funded to come to fruition, I would also like to acknowledge our Fundraising and Partnership Manager Karla Paotonu for her efforts alongside several special donors.
This past year we celebrated 60 years of Outward Bound a significant achievement for any global organisation.
It also marked the 20-year anniversary of our programme delivery partnership with business Mainfreight. These milestones represent a strong vote of confidence in our organisation and team and demonstrate an unwavering commitment and service to the organisation from so many exceptional Outward Bounders, partners and supporters.
I’d like to conclude by acknowledging my colleagues and fellow board members for their service and contribution this past year. This is a voluntary role and represents a significant commitment of your time. Thank you.
And to our Chief Executive Malindi MacLean - it has been another fantastic year under your leadership, I thank you and the entire national team spread around Aotearoa New Zealand, for everything you do to ensure we are delivering on our vision to create better people, better communities, and a better world.
Ngā mihi nui, Tim WattsTiamana | Chair
