Ōruawairua / Blumine Island Leadership Programme
Since 2002, Ōruawairua has been our pioneer programme — an immersive eight-day wānanga where rangatahi step into conservation leadership, connecting heart, head, and hands to protect biodiversity.
This programme is focused on returning the island to its original state, without introduced predators, and developing a sanctuary for native animal and plant species at risk.
The Oruawairua Programme is an eight-day immersive journey for rangatahi to connect with biodiversity, conservation, and their own potential as changemakers. It’s hands-on, student-led, and grounded in both mātauranga Māori and contemporary conservation practice.
Ōruawairua is about leading, planning, and doing. Students take the reins, working collectively to shape their time on the island. Each participant contributes to a legacy project that continues beyond their stay and shares their own story through creative expression. You leave not only with new skills and friendships, but with agency, confidence, and a lasting connection to te taiao.
“Step up for biodiversity. Step into leadership.”
When & Where
When: December 1st - 8th 2025
Where: Based around Picton with three days on Ōruawairua / Blumine, the island sanctuary selected mainland conservation sites (e.g. Wild Waikawa)
Who
Our programmes are for all Rangatahi aged 16–25
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of Ōruawairua, participants will:
Develop action competency in sustainability leadership — strengthen critical thinking, creative problem solving, and collaborative skills.
Deepen connection to identity, place, and whenua — explore ecological, cultural, social, political, and economic influences on conservation.
Think systemically via ki uta, ki tai — understand how ecosystems interlink from mountains to sea, and how human decisions ripple across landscapes.
Engage in hands-on conservation practice — through fieldwork, kōrero, and direct environmental action.
“The programme broadened my mind, definitely. I feel culturally, physically, mentally and emotionally changed”
Ōruawairua 2024 participant
Outputs & Legacy Work
Community Legacy Project: Working as a group, you’ll plan a sustainable project for future groups to continue. You’ll also pledge your commitment to its ongoing completion.
Individual Story & Challenge: You’ll each reflect, share your key learnings, and pose a challenge — through creative formats (video, poem, speech, visual art, etc.).
Programme Costs & Accessibility
We are committed to making our programmes accessible to rangatahi from all walks of life.
To help us grow our reach and continue offering high-impact experiences to rangitahi throughout Aotearoa, we now offer two pathways to participate:
Cora Wilding Scholarship Positions (Fully Funded)
These positions cover the full cost of the programme, thanks to the generous support of our funders and partners.
Scholarship recipients are asked to offer a reciprocal contribution (such as a social media engagement, reflection, creative piece, or community action) to honour the investment made in them.
Fee-Based Positions (Partially Funded)
These positions are partially subsidised, with participants or their supporters (e.g. whānau, school, workplace, or community group) covering the remaining cost of $800 per participant.
This option supports us in extending opportunities to even more young people while keeping our kaupapa sustainable.
We encourage you to apply for the option that best reflects your situation. If you are able to pay or raise your own funds, we appreciate your contribution. If you require full support, please apply for a scholarship — we’re here to support you.
the application process
If you want to be considered for this opportunity complete the application form below.
You will be asked to provide some general personal information, a bit about who you are and what has driven you to apply for the position.
If you would rather submit your application in an audio / visual format please download & follow the instructions on the 'Video / Audio' link below.
Once applications close 6 weeks later, you will be notified whether or not you have been successful and required to complete a full registration.
For more information have a read of our FAQ or contact us directly, we’d love to hear from you.
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