Honoree pushes outdoor education
A Timaru outdoor educator honoured with a major award is urging secondary schools to increase their outdoor education programmes.
Sash Nukada, 46, sustainability and outdoor education programme leader at Ara Institute of Canterbury’s Timaru campus, won the prestigious Tall Totara Award at the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA) Excellence Awards at the weekend, in recognition of his contribution to outdoor instructing and dedication to passing on his love of adventure.
Nukada said he was overwhelmed by the occasion but says he is worried about many secondary schools cutting back their outdoor educational programmes.
‘‘It was completely unexpected, there were so many great and inspiring people in that room and to be singled out was just a humungous honour,’’ he said.
‘‘In this day and age, there is very little education about how to be a good person, and outdoor education fills that void. It’s not just about physical fitness, it’s also about mental fitness too,’’ he said.
‘‘So we’re not just teaching them kayaking or rock climbing or whatever, but we’re also teaching them about the surrounding environment and how to care for it."
He said secondary schools were cutting back on outdoor education programmes as they are getting ‘‘too expensive or too risky’’.
‘‘But I do feel it should be a right for young people to learn about the outdoors. Now more than ever, there is a sense of urgency, particularly with the changing environment.
"That’s why I love outdoor education, and seeing people become so inspired and passionate.’’
Nukada has been in the outdoor education industry for 27 years.
‘‘It just kind of happened, I was studying physical education at Otago University, and someone asked me to help teach some groups rock climbing and I’ve never really looked back,’’ he said.
‘‘I just love working with young people, and inspiring them to learn and taking them to some inspiring places,’’ he said.
NZOIA chair Gillian Wratt said Nukada was an accomplished climber and educator who had remained humble despite his considerable achievements.