Global Recognition. World-Class Landscapes. Expertly Hosted Expeditions with Social Nature Movement (SNM).
Completing the International Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DoE) in New Zealand is far more than an overseas school trip or outdoor camp. It is a transformational, globally recognised personal development journey — delivered in one of the safest, most spectacular, and most educational outdoor classrooms on Earth.
At Social Nature Movement (SNM), we specialise in hosting international Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) students from across the globe — including Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide), the United Kingdom (London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh), the United States (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago), Canada (Vancouver, Toronto), India (Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai), Europe (Germany, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Scandinavia), Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia), the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha), and South Africa — to complete Bronze, Silver, and Gold Adventurous Journeys and Gold Residential Projects throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our flagship programme, Clutha Quest, sets a new benchmark globally for what a Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey abroad can be.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is part of the International Award for Young People, operating in over 130 countries and recognised by schools, universities, and employers worldwide.
The Award framework is consistent internationally and includes:
Service
Skill
Physical Recreation
Adventurous Journey
Gold Residential Project (Gold level only)
International students completing their Award in New Zealand follow the same global framework, standards, and assessment criteria used in the UK, Australia, USA, India, and elsewhere — ensuring full international recognition and portability.
New Zealand offers something few countries can:
dramatic wilderness, political stability, world-leading safety systems, and a deeply embedded outdoor education culture.
Completing a DoE expedition here allows students to:
Step beyond familiar environments
Build independence in a new country
Demonstrate global citizenship
Develop confidence navigating unfamiliar terrain and cultures
For universities and future employers, an international Adventurous Journey stands out as evidence of resilience, adaptability, and leadership.
New Zealand compresses alpine mountains, wild rivers, rainforests, coastlines, islands, and dark-sky environments into one safe, accessible country.
Students may journey through:
Remote South Island river systems
Volcanic coastlines and marine reserves
Native forests and conservation estates
Glacial valleys and high-country landscapes
These are not artificial environments — they are living ecosystems that reinforce navigation, teamwork, environmental awareness, and expedition purpose.
SNM does not “just guide expeditions.”
We deliver hosted experiential hospitality — a model that combines:
Expedition leadership
Education and interpretation
Logistics, transport, and equipment
Cultural and environmental context
Pastoral care and student support
This is especially important for international DoE groups, where clarity, safety, supervision, and communication are critical.
Clutha Quest is SNM’s flagship multi-day river expedition, designed specifically to exceed DoE Adventurous Journey requirements while delivering a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
One of New Zealand’s largest and most iconic rivers
Multi-day, point-to-point journey
Rafting, dragon boating, cycling, or hybrid journeys
Progressive skill development and leadership rotation
Remote environments without unnecessary risk
Ideal for Silver and Gold Adventurous Journeys
Unlike short coastal or harbour-based trips, Clutha Quest provides:
Genuine expedition immersion
Meaningful decision-making opportunities
Real weather, route, and risk management
Strong reflective outcomes for Award assessors
Social Nature Movement (SNM) regularly hosts Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) participants from around the world, including:
Australian students and schools — from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and regional centres
United Kingdom school groups — including students from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
United States high school and gap-year students — from major hubs such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, and beyond
Canadian students and schools — particularly from Vancouver, Toronto, and British Columbia and Ontario regions
Indian international and IB schools — from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune
Asian international schools and youth programmes — including Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam
European schools and international colleges — across Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia
Middle Eastern international schools — including students from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and neighbouring regions
International students already studying in New Zealand, completing their Award locally
Homeschoolers and independent Award participants, including family-led or self-directed learners
We work with:
Schools
Education agents
Parents
Universities
DoE Award Units and Coordinators
Who:
Students aged 14–24 completing Bronze, Silver, or Gold.
What:
DoE-compliant Adventurous Journeys and Gold Residential Projects.
When:
Operates year-round, with seasonal optimisation by region.
Where:
Anywhere in New Zealand — North Island, South Island, or both.
How:
Students:
Register through their local DoE organisation or school
Select Bronze, Silver, or Gold level
Undertake a qualifying Adventurous Journey (training and practice) with SNM
Log activities online in the DoE system
Receive assessment sign-off and certification
SNM supports:
Training
Equipment
Supervision
Assessment alignment
Risk management
International logistics
New Zealand is globally recognised for adventure safety governance.
SNM is:
Fully Health & Safety audited
Aligned with WorkSafe New Zealand good-practice guidelines
Experienced in high-risk outdoor environments
Equipped with emergency response systems
Staffed by trained, qualified outdoor professionals
For parents, schools, and agents, this provides peace of mind that risk is actively managed — not avoided or underestimated.
Compared to generic operators or single-activity companies, SNM offers:
Nationwide operating capability
Multi-disciplinary expeditions
International student experience
Integrated accommodation, transport, and catering
Deep DoE framework knowledge
Strong cultural and environmental interpretation
Premium expedition design (not templated trips)
This is why SNM is increasingly chosen for overseas DoE journeys, not just local ones.
Yes. The Award is globally recognised across education systems, universities, and employers.
Absolutely. International students can complete all sections of the Award in New Zealand with approved providers like SNM.
New Zealand is widely regarded as one of the best due to safety standards, environmental diversity, and outdoor education expertise.
Yes. Clutha Quest is specifically designed for Silver and Gold Adventurous Journeys and exceeds minimum requirements.
SNM can provide full expedition leadership, supervision, and assessment support.
Completing the International Duke of Edinburgh Award in New Zealand should feel significant — not routine.
With Social Nature Movement, students don’t just complete an Adventurous Journey.
They experience a hosted, educational, globally respected expedition in one of the most extraordinary environments on Earth.
If your goal is to offer students a DoE experience that stands above competitors, Clutha Quest and SNM deliver at a level few can match.
Explore. Challenge. Grow. Globally.
Social Nature Movement — International Duke of Edinburgh Specialists in New Zealand.
