About Us
WHAT WE DO
We are all about positive youth development! Our purpose is to empower young people through adventure and challenge to be ready for life.
Every year we help 12,000 young people in New Zealand enjoy new adventures, experience the outdoors, make new connections, and gain confidence. We give young people the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Working alongside our youth members are thousands of adult volunteers who bring a diverse range of skills, talent, and expertise to the Movement. There are a huge variety of roles and opportunities available for those wanting to volunteer with us.
Our programme focuses on three core areas; personal development, adventure and community engagement. Using these three main areas we aim to foster development in the physical, emotional, spiritual and mental aspects of young people. Scouts Aotearoa provides a safe, nurturing environment where they are encouraged to be their best selves.
THE SCOUTS AOTEAROA PURPOSE AND VISION
THE PURPOSE OF SCOUTS AOTEAROA
"We empower young people through adventure and challenge to be ready for life."
What it means:
Adventure - resonates within the Aotearoa context of Scouting.
Challenge - deeply entrenched throughout the Scouting programme.
Ready for life - aligns Scouts Aotearoa with the World Scouting Movement
THE VISION OF SCOUTS AOTEAROA
"All young people in Aotearoa are inspired and equipped to shape their own experiences and create a positive experience."
What it means:
Inspired and equipped - aligns with the purpose and helps young people build confidence and skills.
Shape their own experiences - imbedded in Scouts youth led approach to programme.
Create a positive impact - encompasses Better World and the future environmental and social changes that young people will lead.
SCOUTS AOTEAROA STRATEGIC PLAN 2025 - 2028
THE FOUR PILLARS
QUALITY RELEVANT PROGRAMME
We will inspire our youth to reach their full potential
By offering fun, modern, and relevant programme and adventure.
We will foster an environment where young people can define and lead their own experiences
By actively promoting and supporting a youth led approach to programme, leadership, and decision making.
We will shape our programme to resonate with what matters to young people today
By an evaluation approach that leverages the insight of our youth, whānau, and members.
We will provide opportunities to experience and participate in adventure
By reviewing, developing, and delivering our schools and events.
INCLUSIVE GROWTH
We will reflect our communities and Aotearoa
By focussing on a 'by community for community' approach.
We will evolve, ensuring our identity is relevant and inspiring
By refreshing our branding, promoting adventure, and engaging the public.
We will create opportunities to increase participation in Scouting
By exploring alternative pathways to deliver Scouting, engaging with and meeting the needs of more young people.
We will work collaboratively to uphold the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
By being committed to building a strong bicultural foundation, through connection and relationship with Tangata Whenua.
EMPOWERED VOLUNTEERS
We will effectively onboard, induct, and train our adult volunteers
By ensuring resources are effective, accessible, easily understood, and adaptable.
We will equip volunteers to support adventure and programme experiences for young people
By providing training and opportunities to upskill in recreational areas.
We will acknowledge and celebrate the dedication, commitment, and passion of volunteers
By promoting and providing recognition to our peers.
We will explore alternative pathways for adults to support the delivery of Scouting
By understanding volunteer trends and adapting programmes to meet volunteer availability and flexibility needs.
ORGANISATIONAL STRENGTH
We will uphold strong principles of integrity, safeguarding the well-being of our young people
By adopting the sector's Integrity Code and prioritising the safeguarding of our young people.
We will maintain safe practices and meet our compliance obligations
By following good health, safety, and privacy practice, having robust updated policies, and meeting our charity obligations.
We will ensure Scouts is sustainable for future generations
By operating within our means and leveraging opportunities to secure revenue.
We will leverage technology to enhance the effectiveness of programme and delivery and to strengthen member support
By continued investment in, and adoption of, technology that supports the development, delivery, and support of programme.
OUR VOLUNTEERS
With over 100 years experience working with volunteers, Scouts Aotearoa is proud to champion the benefits of volunteering. There are a huge number of ways for people of all ages to volunteer with Scouts Aotearoa: from internships and work experience placements, to one-off events or ongoing leadership roles.Our Board
Our International Commissioner
Justin Stewart
The International Commissioner for Scouts Aotearoa, represents our interests within the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and the Asia-Pacific Region (APR). Focused on collaborating with similar Scout organisations, they foster international partnerships, support contingents attending global events, and guide policy development to strengthen Scouts Aotearoa’s global engagement.
Justin has been involved in Scouts since he was in Cubs (over 25 years ago) and has previously been a Scout Leader, director on our Board, Contingent Leader for World Scout Jamborees and attended numerous other overseas Jamborees, Ventures, Youth Forums and Conferences representing Scouts Aotearoa. Professionally he is a Senior Project Manager for a global software company.
SAFEGUARDING; CHILD & YOUTH SAFETY
Scouts Aotearoa takes Health & Safety and Safeguarding very seriously. Our Better Prepared strategic plan prioritises Youth at the Centre, with a focus on keeping our youth Safe From Harm.
Please review our Code of Ethics and Safeguarding Policy (in line with the Vulnerable Children Act 2014). If you have any questions, comments or concerns please send an email to [email protected] and we will respond as soon as we can.
NATIONAL SCHOOLS
Scouts Aotearoa is proud to provide eight National Schools for its youth members that offer unique training in specialised areas.Our specialised National Schools operate throughout the year during the school holidays.
Scouts and Venturers will learn skills specific to their interests, have unforgettable experiences, and leave with lifelong friends. Our National Schools are open to non-members but preference is given to members as numbers are limited.
VENUES
Key Documents
Click on a cover to download the PDF.
Annual Reports
FOR ALL YOUNG PEOPLE
We welcome rangatahi and tamariki between the ages of 5 to 26. We are open to young people of all ethnicities and religions. We are the worlds largest non-formal education institution, serving over 13,000 young people all across New Zealand. We organise ourselves around five sections.Ages 5 to 8 KEA
AGES 8 TO 11 CUBS
AGES 11 TO 14 SCOUTS
AGES 14 TO 18 VENTURERS
AGES 18 TO 26 ROVERS
