Our story

Our discovery experiences are so immersive, they have you realising there is always more SNM leaves you wanting to come back to; the essence of our brand.

Moving away from traditional activities, we seek out hard-to-find experiences and immersive educational journeys and bring them to you. As explorers ourselves, we know first-hand the power that human–nature synergy holds.

But the most enriching experiences aren’t solely about the destination; they’re also about the journey. We do something each time for the environment and the community, making every SNM outing bigger than ourselves and the activity.

SNM is a proud member of the Tourism Industry Association, helping raise awareness of travel and tourism as one of NZ’s largest industries, supporting 225,384 jobs and generating $115 million per day. (pre-COVID).

Social Nature Movement

SNM's Mission

Helping more people live better lives to become the best they can be

SNM's Values

Knowledgeable
Passionate
Attentive
Authentic
Purposeful

SNM's Goal

Leading high-class services of value and quality in elegant outdoor experiences through innovation and curiosity

SNM's Vision

More people sharing and discovering better adventurous journeys through more nature-based and human-powered experiences

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From our founder...

“We're on a mission to help people connect with nature and each other in a more conscious way, we take you on more journey-based adventures that are waiting right around your corner”

— Chris Lacoste

Meet Chris
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In today’s modern world where most of us work in offices and live in urban areas, we’re distanced from nature (and ourselves) more than ever. Social media wants to give you power to share your experiences with others. We’re changing that. People need the tools to connect to their own experiences, understanding what happens to them and how others see it.

Whether it’s the physical journey up the mountain or the internal journey of stepping outside your comfort zone, actively connecting with nature alongside other people invigorates ones existentialism.

So we’ve made it our mission to help people discover better ways of living and working by delivering outdoor experiences encouraging and nurturing human–nature relationships. Are you ready to discover more?

Behind SNM

Social Nature Movement: more than a tripartite name.

Being active outdoors with others is good for our social, spiritual, mental and physical wellbeing. We take that deeper and broader with Social Nature Movement in one Greek idea meaning “Hendiatris” (one through three). We liken that to the Latin phrase “omne trium perfectum” (everything that comes in threes is perfect) emphasising what we do; engaging more people with more places and more practices.

Think about all the activities people do and the essence of those; people socialising, in natural places and practising movement of sorts. Think also about the best things in life: being with friends, free-air living and physical activity.

So, by taking a holistic approach to the great outdoors and bringing awareness to how everything is connected, we delve deep into the soul of a place and reconnect. So you can get lost in the moment and immerse yourself in a journey you’ll never forget.

Find adventure
Taupo Kayaking Mohaka River

Google Reviews

Can't recommend these guys enough!! We had our wedding in Mangawhai this March and had around 30 people sleep over in glamping tents set up by Social Nature Movement. The tents were gorgeous and they added so many little touches that went above and beyond my expectations. If you're on the fence about hiring glamping tents for your wedding, it is SO worth it! And here, the value for money is second to none. Thanks so much team for making our wedding day that much more special!
Meg McKenna
Meg McKenna
23:22 28 Mar 23
Had an awesome experience with Social Nature Movement! The setup in our backyard was amazing and the staff were so friendly and helpful. Such a lovely vibe in the tents and so many nice touches. Will definitely be using them again for other events
Blake Owers
Blake Owers
01:17 09 Mar 23
Best multisport kayak grade 2 course in New Zealand!
Cecilie Puck
Cecilie Puck
07:39 08 Mar 23
Louis-Éric Lemire
Louis-Éric Lemire
20:25 07 Mar 23
We did a kayaktour and it was amazing! We saw a lot of bioluminescences, thanks a lot for this experience!
Daphne Switynk
Daphne Switynk
05:38 23 Feb 23
I have worked with this company on two occasions. Communication is clear and prompt. The staff are friendly, energetic, and love what they do. Would happily work with this company again.
maria Buhrkuhl
maria Buhrkuhl
21:11 16 Feb 23
I've have had nothing but good things to say about Chris, Blake and the staff. Nice to deal with good honest authentic people. Allan Scott Allans Rental Cars
Allan Scott
Allan Scott
18:49 16 Feb 23
What I paid for: 3 day course with camping in Motueka river farm. Grade 2 certificate in multisport kayakWhat I got: I arrived late on Thursday(it was here I regretted not paying the extra dollars for glamping). Friday morning I was greeted warmly by Chris. He gave a very thorough safety brief while keeping it engaging and light. With questions, jokes and valuable insights, he began to gel 4 people who happened to be doing a course together into a team to take on rivers with confidence. On the water he continued this focus ensuring we all looked out for each other and really found the enjoyment in learning a new skill. The teaching and team building didn't end there. The evenings were filled with food(the pizza was amazing!), stories and a few drinks around the firepit. This trend continued for all 3 days.I left with the confidence to take on the Waimakariri in the coast to coast along with some fast friends and fond memories.If you are considering doing a kayaking course in the North island, look no further. I cannot recommend Chris as instructor enough. With catered options for all skill levels you can't go wrong.Thanks for everything Chris
Eoin Ó Murchadha
Eoin Ó Murchadha
17:52 16 Feb 23
I completed the two day Grade 2 Kayaking Skills course with Chris. He provided great advice to improve my knowledge of risks and hazards, paddling technique, and navigation of the river. We all felt safe on the river and had a great time. I would highly recommend SNM to anyone trying to gain their Grade 2 Kayaking Skills certificate.
Henry Sullivan
Henry Sullivan
20:47 17 Jan 23
I was a complete beginner when I met Chris. I went on two courses with him. A four day trip to the Mohaka River and a 2 trip to the Waioeka Gorge. He was an excellent coach who was very technical and encouraging, but extremely clear in his communications. Most importantly we all felt very safe on the river due to his guidance. I would highly recommend anyone no matter what level of competence to go one one of his adventures.
Jonathan Lockyer
Jonathan Lockyer
01:11 17 Jan 23
Highly recommended. I have been with other operators and SNM is in my opinion one of the best.Good communication and feedback from Chris, with a very encouraging and open minded approach to teaching.I would not hesitate to go with them again.
Morne du Plessis
Morne du Plessis
19:51 16 Jan 23
Can't recommend Chris and Social Nature Movement highly enough. We had a fantastic weekend on the Waioeka River gaining our Grade 2 Kayak Certifications for the Coast to Coast. Chris was incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, and you really got the feeling that he cared about his clients. Five stars.
Charlie Hurring
Charlie Hurring
01:30 16 Jan 23
These guys are fantastic. They set up 9 tents to sleep about 40 people at my wedding, (driving down to Wellington from Auckland) all set up with all the amenities, plus many cute little extras that made our guests feel right at home and snug in some pretty bad weather. Made our wedding a real magical time. Thanks to Chris and the team. Highly recommended.
Edward Service
Edward Service
01:12 13 Jan 23
Chris provided an excellent experience and adventure. He was very engaging and approachable along with clear technical expertise around multisport kayaking and the dynamics of the river. I felt at all times safe and Chris was in control of the situations presented. An extremely enjoyable trip and would recommend Social Native Movement (and Chris) to anyone interested in kayaking quality rivers and gaining further understanding and skills in this space. Epic!
Ben Herbert
Ben Herbert
21:58 09 Jan 23
I had an unreal time doing the grade 2 course with Chris at Mohaka River. He was an excellent instructor and was very accommodating for a very beginner level! Could not recommend this course enough! The four days at the river were a huge success!
Leah Sid
Leah Sid
02:57 16 Dec 22
Awesome Duke of Ed Silver trip!
Zahra Casual
Zahra Casual
20:53 30 Nov 22
Very cool made an axe and a skull on a stick. Very fun instructor. Great DoE adventure
Alexander Dunn
Alexander Dunn
01:02 30 Nov 22
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!
maddie ballard
maddie ballard
01:01 30 Nov 22
Had a great time doing the 4 day Grade 2 Multisport Kayak course with Chris. Learnt a lot on the course taking me from a beginner to feeling confident on the rapids, also was a lot of fun throughout both kayaking and during down time.Highly recommended!Will definitely being going back to get some more river time leading up to the Coast to Coast!
Scott Murch
Scott Murch
21:43 29 Nov 22
An awesome experience doing the bioluminescent tour with Chris!-The four guys from yesterday
Akash Chakraborty
Akash Chakraborty
06:21 23 Oct 22
Did the 4-day training and Grade 2 certificate kayak course down the Mohaka, and glamping, with Chris (Social Nature Movement). A really great experience, helping us build our confidence over the time and an easy-to-follow style of explaining the river and how to approach the different parts. Managed the group of us really well and clearly prioritised safety, and got the most out of the time. After this experience I managed my first multisport event down the Waioeka Gorge just 4 days later feeling confident picking my lines, and NOT swimming! Absolutely fantastic, highly recommend. (Will definitely be going back for some more river time and trips in the build to Coast to Coast.)
Kerri Dewe
Kerri Dewe
02:54 21 Oct 22
The bioluminescense tour was fun and sooo interesting. Chris is a cool guide, a great adventure! 😀
Megan Moir
Megan Moir
02:35 04 Sep 22
Great company, highly recommend
Greg Bates
Greg Bates
09:18 08 Aug 22
SNM 🙌🏼
Chris Lacoste
Chris Lacoste
09:16 08 Aug 22
Good company to work with for Glamping accommodation. Highly recommend SNM
Southern Glamping
Southern Glamping
09:14 08 Aug 22
Social Nature Movement really care about there programs and clients, highly recommend! Especially the bethels boogie activity! The most out the gate experience in Ak
Allan Carpenter
Allan Carpenter
08:17 08 Aug 22
Had a great day out in Auckland doing intro to rock climbing with Chris! Chris is a natural teacher and I left feeling like I had learned so much and he did a great job at tailoring the experience to what I wanted and what my current experience level is. I left with more knowledge and feeling stoked to continue to build on it. I would gladly return to continue to learn more from him, and I’m sure I will!
Jennifer McKnight
Jennifer McKnight
19:44 27 Jun 22
Amazing service. Organising glamping accommodation for the extended family. James was helpful, patient and provided all the options. Pricing was excellent and cannot say enough good things about this company. Well done team
Gregory Clark
Gregory Clark
02:12 17 Jun 22
If you're after experienced, knowledgeable and friendly outdoor training expert, Chris is the MAN! No need to mention that he's a good looking and funny dude too.
zafer isiklar
zafer isiklar
22:10 22 May 22
We did the Bioluminescence kayak tour with Chris. It was amazing, even the teens loved it.
Giselle Irwin
Giselle Irwin
21:19 30 Mar 22
I had a great day out sea kayaking with Chris. We were blessed with a bluebird day on the trip to Browns Island which was a first for me. Chris gelled very well with everyone and is a great communicator. Safety was a priority and all equipment was modern and in great condition. Clear instructions were given periodically and questions were encouraged. He provided and really tasty lunch that catered to my quirky food intolerances. Highly recommend Chris and the team.
Kiwi Cam
Kiwi Cam
02:21 21 Mar 22
Thanks very much for the great day Chris! It was an awesome experience going to Browns Island and back. Thanks for your help along the way :)Really recommend
m
m
04:26 15 Mar 22
Great experience kayaking to Browns island. Chris instructions were really easy to follow that made me feel safe and confident during the trip. Definitely recommend!
Anh Nguyen
Anh Nguyen
04:20 15 Mar 22
Excellent A+ service. I had a 14yo birthday party to organise in very short notice as the weather had ruined all our plans. In 2 days we had the most amazing tent fully decorated on our property by Chris. It was one of the most enjoyable, hassle free birthdays I’ve ever done. This tent is perfect for all ages. Teenagers can be hard to please but they absolutely raved about this! Thank you so much Chris. Will definitely be getting you back.
Claire Galloway
Claire Galloway
05:13 15 Feb 22
These guys are awesome - prompt communicators, friendly and flexible service. Gear hired was high quality and fit for purpose.
Andrew Park
Andrew Park
06:11 10 Feb 22
Chris is awesome. I did my grade 2 kayak certificate through him and I left with so much more confidence and a lot more of an appreciation of all the elements of white water paddling. He is so knowledgeable and has the natural ability to pass on his knowledge to you in an effective way. You'll have a great few days away with him and I am looking forward to getting some more paddle time in with him before race day. Thanks Chris!
Tim
Tim
05:39 02 Feb 22
Great time with great people
Cameron Todd
Cameron Todd
23:57 31 Jan 22
I'm glad my first time on river rapids in a kayak were with Social Nature Movement as they were great at teaching you the process for doing it safely and swiftly. Plus I had a great time on and off the water.
Mark Needham
Mark Needham
06:04 17 Jan 22
I did my grade 2 certification with Chris on the Mohaka and had a great time. He thoroughly covered all the key skills and gave us plenty of tips to help make it down the river as quickly and safely as possible. He also really went the extra distance to help us throughout the whole trip so the experience was much more than the time on the water.
Seumas Dunlop
Seumas Dunlop
23:54 22 Dec 21
I attended their kayak training course as a total noob - only having been in a multisport kayak twice before (and the first time was actually mostly out of the kayak!). Despite this, under Chris's instruction I was able to traverse the Mohaka, and had a fantastic time.Overall the experience was very well organised, professional, and just plain good fun. Chris is knowledgeable and patient, a good instructor. I would highly recommend it for anyone wanting to enter multisports. A great opportunity if you are planning on entering the Coast to Coast!
joe veryuncool
joe veryuncool
17:22 22 Dec 21
Great adventure! Best day ever! Thanks Chris
Kennethchiu Chiu
Kennethchiu Chiu
19:46 05 Aug 21
Amazing experience doing a group activity / kayaking with SNM. Great weather, great company and the assurance that we were well assisted. It was just PERFECT! Thanks, guys. Keep up the good work.
Fernanda Burgo
Fernanda Burgo
19:45 05 Aug 21
What an experience! Chris took a corporate group of my colleagues and I out - we had no idea what we were doing nor what to expect (it was rock climbing!). It was an awesome day, great for improving team culture and communication. His approach couldn't be faulted, we felt we were in very capable hands.Strongly recommend for any work place.
Joe Rae
Joe Rae
01:19 16 Jul 21
Christine Woolmore
Christine Woolmore
20:03 07 Jul 21
Chris has been so helpful....am yet to book one of these awesome trips on offer but he has helped me with getting organised with the right tools to take on the Coast to Coast in 2022... Thanks mate :)
Allison Robinson
Allison Robinson
00:08 28 May 21
This was my first ever experience in rock climbing. We were 3 people learning and 1 instructor, Chris. He took us to a crag in Stonefields, Auckland, by a lake. Quiet little place. He had his ropes all in place already. He brought all the gear. Good schedule after lunch to avoid the midday heat and not a crowded place either where we could feel intimidated. Chris is a good instructor. He gives clear instructions, enough to get you where you need to and not too much that would overwhelm you. He is patient, grounded and calm and that certainly helps if you’re anxious. Never seemed out of control and was even keeping an eye out for other recreational climbers. Seems to have an eagle eye and a conservative approach towards safety, and that I quite appreciated.We all got several turns at climbing and belaying different parts of that wall and 4h went by like a breeze. Some showers did not deter any of us as we were really enjoying our time together and Chris had some nice back up jackets handy to give us cover while it rained, luckily for a very short while.No negatives on this experience. We were given some ropes to take home and practice our knots, that was again a nice touch. For a complete beginner, 4h were more than enough in terms of information to process, and physical demand. A small group of 3 learners worked out really well.This is a kiwi business and a commendable one.I like to learn with highly skilled instructors with a strong professional background to avoid growing bad habits and Chris certainly rates highly in rock climbing. Give it a try, you won’t regret it.
Rita Ribeiro
Rita Ribeiro
06:29 09 Mar 21
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Our difference...

Teachable moments, unforgettable learning

The best outdoor experiences are all about the journey. And the best journeys start with awareness.

Whether it’s a bird flying by, a fallen tree we need to scramble over, or an historical site we encounter, we bring awareness to the details. These teachable moments allow you to make memorable connections between the people you’re with, the place you’re exploring, and the nature surrounding you. It’s what Wikipedia describes as “a loosely organized effort by a large group of people to achieve a particular goal”. An actual movement that’s good for our sense of community.

outdoor adventures auckland outdoor activities Social Nature Movement Auckland New Zealand NZ Outdoor Education Adventure Recreation

Agency over your adventure

At Social Nature Movement, you’re not just another number. Even though we go out into nature as a group, we respond to you on an individual level. By getting to know you and bringing you on board at every opportunity, we create an environment where you have agency over your experience.

Discover natural wonders on your doorstep

Even in the most built-up urban areas of New Zealand, there are adventures waiting around every corner. In parks, by the rivers, at local lookout points… the great outdoors is closer than you think.

The sky’s the limit

From tramping and rock climbing, to kayaking, paddle boarding and everything in between, we offer a whole range of land and water-based outdoor activities in and around Auckland with even more New Zealand locations coming soon.

Legendary guides

Our network of qualified guides facilitate immersive nature experiences that inspire you, empower you, and straight-up move you. They give you true insight into the landscape and culture that makes New Zealand so special.

Explore your way

Because our guides have so much experience exploring New Zealand’s natural playgrounds, we can customise (almost) any adventure. We are always here to inspire you with the trips we’ve been on. Just ask.

We welcome everyone with open arms

At Social Nature Movement, anyone and everyone is welcome. We create a friendly, safe environment where you can have fun and be yourself. And we guarantee that you’ll leave with new friendships, a sense of adventure, and a burning desire to come back.

Our Clients

WE’RE PROUD TO WORK WITH LIKEMINDED PEOPLE

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Corporate Groups Schools & Students Tourist & Public Join the movement
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Have a question? We’re here to help.

email support@snm.nz or call us on 0800 76 62 66

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