A joint initiative to get Kiwi’s outdoors is ready to be rolled out across the country next February.

‘Get Outdoors Week’ will run from Friday the 15th of February to the 22nd and is aimed at families and those new to the outdoors. The week is focused on ‘self-powered’ trips on both water and the land and has been jointly developed by a range of Safety, Tourism and Retail organisations.

Mike Daisley, CEO of the Mountain Safety Council (MSC) is excited to see such an ambitious project supported by such a wide range of organisations.

“The concept for Get Outdoors Week is something that the outdoor recreation and tourism industry really got behind from the outset and it’s shaping up to be a great inaugural year.


“It’s so encouraging to see leading outdoor retailers working alongside regional tourism organisations and safety organisations like MSC and Water Safety to enable the best outdoors experience for the participant.


“At the heart of the week is ensuring participants explore the great outdoors, especially those who might have been a bit unsure how to go about planning for an outdoor adventure.”

Jonty Mills, CEO of WSNZ says including both land and water is critical, so participants get access to the right information whether they’re intending to explore the backcountry, mountains, lakes, rivers or the ocean.

“Kiwi’s are exceptionally lucky to have such abundant resources available for outdoor recreation.


“We’re excited to help bring Get Outdoors Week to life next year, it should be a lot of fun!”


“If you’re new to the outdoors this is a great opportunity to engage with a wide range of organisations focused on helping you to plan a fun and safe trip.

Ramon Oosterkamp, GM Meteorological Operations at MetService, said February is typically a good time to head outdoors, but warned that New Zealand’s weather can change very quickly, even in summer.


“MetService is delighted to support Mountain Safety Council with Get Outdoors Week. On average, February is one of the warmest months across New Zealand. However, Aotearoa is notorious for enjoying four seasons in one day. So, to best prepare for any conditions we strongly advise people check the forecasts on MetService.com, or download the MetService app in advance of planning any adventures outdoors. We’ve got over 150 urban, rural, marine and National Park weather forecasts available across New Zealand at any one time”.

Sarah Wood, DOC Customer and Brand Manager, encourages people to head into their local DOC Visitor Centre and chat about local options with the staff.

“The staff have expert knowledge of the local area and are happy to help you plan a fun and safe trip.


“Our visitor centres have resources on the local flora and fauna, as well as trip planning.


“We’ve also got a lot of information on our website to help people find out what’s available in their local region.”
For more information on Get Outdoors Week head to www.goweek.org.nz

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