Whenua Iti Outdoors is celebrating the success of this year’s graduates from the Ignite youth development programme with Motueka High School, marking seven years of a partnership that continues to make a lasting impact.
Since 2019, Ignite has been offered to selected students at Motueka High School. The programme is built on the belief that every young man deserves the chance to grow confidence, develop resilience, and build a strong sense of identity.
It provides a structured, strengths-based environment where participants learn practical life skills alongside personal insight. The idea for Ignite came from a moment of observation. During a series of school assemblies, the programme’s donor noticed how few young men were being recognised.
“It wasn’t about capability,” he recalls. “They clearly had the potential, but it felt like something was missing.”
After discussions with Motueka High School principal John Prestidge, this observation became the foundation for a shared mission. They wanted a holistic approach that helped young men grow in confidence, compassion, communication and resilience.
In 2019, Motueka High School partnered with Whenua Iti Outdoors, an outdoor education provider with almost 40 years of experience delivering transformative programmes across Te Tauihu. Since then, more than 50 young men have taken part.
Ignite blends outdoor challenges, reflective learning, mentoring and teamwork. Participants might tackle a high ropes course, lead group activities, or share goals around a campfire. Pastoral support at school helps embed learning into daily life.
“It’s not about turning boys into something they’re not,” John says. “It’s about helping them recognise what’s already there – their empathy, their strengths and their ability to contribute.”
Parents and teachers are seeing tangible, lasting change, with one parent saying her son “came back standing a little taller”.
“He talks more, helps out more, and seems more grounded. It’s like he’s found direction and pride we hadn’t seen before.”
Whenua Iti Outdoors chief executive Mark Bruce-Miller agrees.
“Outdoor experiences draw out strengths in powerful ways. When participants return to school and start engaging more positively… you can see meaningful change.”
Ignite participant Alfie Wickenden says the programme helped him become more social and confident, as well as strengthening his skills of teamwork and leadership.
“I wasn’t too good at talking with other people. I was kind of like the one person that didn’t really talk in the group. But now, after Ignite, I’m a lot more social and fit in with the group and can help other people fit in too.”
The success of Ignite reflects what can happen when a community chooses to believe in its young men. Behind each breakthrough is a network of teachers, whānau, mentors, and sponsors invested in building strong foundations for the next generation.
“We’d love to see additional support for Ignite,” says Mark. “It’s a rare opportunity to make a lasting difference for young men in our region.”
