Welcome to one of the best Classrooms in the North Island

Schools & Outdoor Education

Awastone has been providing activities for school groups for over 35 years.
Our products are a safe and fun way to explore the outdoor environment and promote team work, leadership and respect for the environment in a unique and safe way. Our New Zealand School Group Trips and Packages range in duration from one hour to four days, rafting and kayaking. and our in house Skills Active Assessor has the ability to sign off Unit Standards and the credentials and expertise to support NCEA programmes. Mangaweka Adventure Company operates by and is is audited to strict Safe operating guidelines, providing assurance to teachers and BOT that the students are in safe hands.​Mangaweka is ideally located on State Highway One, just one hour north of Palmerston North. Our trips are viable as day excursions for schools in much of the lower north island, especially Manawatu, Tararua and Horowhenua. Also a popular choice to break up a journey to camps on the central plateau.
NCEA Resources
Skills Active Assessor has the ability to sign off Unit Standards and the credentials and expertise to support NCEA programmes. Awastone operates by and is is audited to strict Safe operating guidelines, providing assurance to teachers and BOT that the students are in safe hands.​
Mangaweka is ideally located on State Highway One, just one hour north of Palmerston North.
Our trips are viable as day excursions for schools in much of the lower north island, especially Manawatu, Tararua and Horowhenua.
Also a popular choice to break up a journey to camps on the central plateau.
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Day Excursions

The experience of higher grade rafting trips can be somewhat wasted on students, the lower grade trips being a much safer environment to get very much the same outcomes... and still a fun experience to be remembered forever.
Grade 2 Rafting is by far the safest means to introduce students to the river environment. It is an excellent team building experience, outdoors escape and imparts river safety knowledge that is a lifelong benefit.

The nature of the rafting activity means the students are in a 'contained' easily managed situation, and our guides are trained to ensure their safety and  a fun day in the New Zealand's Outdoors.  
Meeting times:
For most day excursions we run this trip at 10am. This means a late lunch for students before heading back to school or camp.

The second trip would meet around 1 pm, so will be the preferred option for those not intending it to be a day excursion from school.​

We are flexible with meeting times most of the year, however there are periods where we need to fit two trips into the day (secondary school teachers will probably know when this is).
Includes: Pre-trip administration package gear list, RAMS, certification documents, parent information, participants details and ide provider contracts.
Price: $45 per person +GST (organising teacher free)

School Camps & Overnight Trips

Multi-Day and Multi-Activity camps are available using either our exclusive camp venue at Mangaweka or remote campsites on the the riverside.​
Overnight camps using the pavilion and exclusive camping area at Mangaweka are a cost effective and safe camping experience, great for all ages. Catered or self catered, with or without adventure activities these camps are tailored to suit your needs. A common favourite is described below and gives a fair indication of the price.​
Multiday River Journeys are an awesome adventure for older students and can suit a number of NCEA credits and/or Unit Standards.  Remote riverside camping amid river gorges that are a world away from most students day to day lives, a life changing experience for many and lifelong memories for all. Again we will tailor this product to suit your group size, classroom needs, budget or time allowance, but below is a common trip we run.
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Mangaweka Campground Overnight Camps

An exclusive camping area with a small cabin and kitchen support building, hidden in the bush reserve at Mangaweka campground, provides a wonderful camping experience for school aged students.​
The campsite is set exclusively in a large paddock, providing wonderful open spaces for Games and ABL. There are a couple of great walks around ranging in duration from 1 hour to 1 day.​ Mangaweka Adventure Company have a range of safe and fun rafting and kayaking options to suit your budget.​ Bring the kids for a simple night outside and around the campfire or build an adventure package with full catering options.
Price Examples:
Campsite only one night, includes kitchen support building and exclusive camping area. $60 cabin hire $5 per student + GST
Raft Trips from $45 + GST
Contact us today to talk about availability and pricing options.
campervan by the rangitikei river at awastone

Multiday River Journeys

Hands down the most rewarding experience we have on offer.
We love doing these trips, if for no other reason than witnessing the effect it has on students. Travelling through the deep gorges of the Rangitikei, our expedition is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the 'real' world and the foreign environment is a truly leveling experience.​ Particularly aimed at High School aged students we have options of two three or four day expeditions, all traveling through the jewel of the Rangitikei, the Mokai Gorge.
Price: Price By Enquiry

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