Outdoor Recreation Guide/Instructor
Outdoor recreation guides and instructors teach or guide outdoor activities such as rafting, kayaking, canyoning, skiing, hunting, climbing, caving and mountain biking.
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Pay per year$49k-$58k |
Job opportunitiesAverage |
What you'll do
Outdoor recreation guides and instructors may do some or all of the following:
- Plan outdoor recreation activities and instruction programmes
- Assess risks involved in an activity, taking into account the weather and different clients' abilities
- Lead, guide and teach people taking part in activities
- Organise safety procedures including checking equipment, running rescue practices, and providing first aid if necessary
- Prepare recreation areas by doing things such as signposting or fencing off paths and hazards
- Organise bookings, transport, food and accommodation, and drive clients to activities
- Clean and store equipment after use
- Keep logbooks of their trips
Personal requirements
Outdoor recreation guides and instructors need to be:
- mature, responsible and able to stay calm in emergencies
- able to make good decisions under pressure
- patient, sympathetic and enthusiastic
- confident in their own abilities and able to inspire confidence in others
- excellent leaders with good communication skills
- good at planning and organisation, with strong problem-solving skills
- able to work as part of a team
- alert and observant.
For more information about your study options see: Areas of specialisation: Sport and Recreation
What are the chances of getting a job?
Your chances of securing a job as an outdoor recreation guide are best if you're willing to work casually or for short periods of time. This is because many jobs are seasonal, part-time positions with tourism operators.
Some businesses employ overseas workers with specialist skills, such as mountain guiding or climbing, due to a lack of qualified guides in New Zealand.
Outdoor education and pursuits centres offer instructors the best chances of finding full-time, year-round work.
Outdoor recreation guides and instructors may work for:
- Tourism businesses
- Ski fields
- Polytechnics
- Schools
- Outdoor education/pursuit centres
Student profiles
Check out some of our current students and recent graduates. They're doing great things.
This information is a guide only. Last updated 28 March 2025.