Artificial Whitewater 
The Artificial Whitewater qualification is only available under the Free Range Assessment model.
Artificial Whitewater Course Instructor
The NZOIA Artificial Whitewater Course Instructor can organise, instruct and lead kayaking activity on constructed artifical whitewater courses such as the Vector Wero Whitewater Park in Auckland. Natural whitewater and rivers are outside the scope of this qualification.
Artificial Whitewater Course Instructor - Scope and Syllabus
Artificial Whitewater Course Instructor - Assessment Guide
Photos thanks to the wonderful clients at Vector Wero
New Zealand Apprenticeship
Have you considered doing a New Zealand Apprenticeship in Outdoor Recreation? Eligible apprentices may be able to access a subsidy of up to $1,000, reimbursing you for professional development costs, such as your NZOIA assessment fees!! Download the flyer here to find out more information.
NZQA Pathways - Get qualifed with NZOIA and Skills Active
NZOIA is pleased to announce that under a new agreement with industry training organisation Skills Active, NZOIA Leader and Instructor candidates can now earn a New Zealand National Qualification, concurrently with their NZOIA qualification.
The fee for a Skills Active qualification is usually $200 + GST, but in honour of this historic partnership with NZOIA, registrations for equivalent recognition will be free of charge until 31 December 2016. Up until 31 December 2016 you can also complete the process retrospectively, if you already hold an eligible, current NZOIA qualification.
Ready to go? - Download the Trainee Agreement package here:
If you are yet to sit an assessment, print off and fill in the below forms, then take along to your assessment for the assessor to sign off. When completed, send them to NZOIA, PO Box 1620, Nelson 7040.
If you already have your NZOIA Qualification, print off the below forms, fill in and complete the extra tasks, and send direct to NZOIA at the address above.
Training Agreement - Download here
In addition to the Training Agreement, you will also need to download the applicable 'Assessment Process Document' form below depending on which qualification/s you wish to cross credit.
Abseil Leader | Bush Leader | Kayak Leader | Rock Leader |
Bush 1 | Kayak 1 | Rock 1 |
Pre-requisite Exemption Policy
Download the Exemption Policy Here
NZOIA’s Level 1 qualifications are a pre-requisite for their Level 2 assessments for two key reasons:
-Level 1 assessment tasks will/may not be repeated in the Level 2 assessment so we need to know the candidate has prior competence. E.g. Commercial Abseil set-up in Rock 1 is not specifically identified in the Rock 2 syllabus.
- Assessors reported that a high percentage of candidates who went directly to a Level 2 assessment were finding the assessment challenging resulting in deferments and re-sits.
If you want to advance directly to a Level 2 assessment you can apply for an exemption to this pre-requisite. You will need to provide the following evidence:
- Instructional and personal days above the minimum the Level 2 assessment requires
- An attestation from an Level 1 assessor
The Level 1 assessor must attest that you are competent in all aspects of the Level 1 syllabus including working with students. To reliably do this the assessor would have needed to see you working over a period of time. This does not give you the Level 1 qualification, it simply assures NZOIA that you are ready for a Level 2 assessment and have been working at Level 1 competently and repetitively.
If you are in this situation please apply to the Technical Sub Committee outlining your instructional and personal experience along with your attestation from a current NZOIA Level 1 assessor in the discipline you are applying for.
This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis in light of current industry regulation. It is likely that direct entry to Level 2 qualifications will no longer be possible in the near future.
River Rescue
NZOIA and WhiteWater NZ have defined syllabi for River Rescue Courses designed for whitewater kayaks and open canoes. These training courses are for recreational and professional paddlers to better enable them to safely paddle with their peers, when leading a group, or when providing an instructional or guided experience.
River Rescue 1
This course must be directed by a current NZOIA Kayak II instructor. NZOIA and Whitewater NZ recommends that a ratio limit of 1:6 be applied with a Level 2 instructor and if numbers exceed this then an experienced Level 1 instructor be used to assist on the course with up to 10 participants.
River Rescue Level 1 is a pre-requisite for participation in the NZOIA Kayak Instructor Level 1 and NZOIA Canoe Instructor Level 1 assessments.
River Rescue 1 - Scope and Syllabus
River Rescue 1 - Trainer and Participant Guide - Canoe Version
River Rescue 1 - Trainer and Participant Guide - Kayak Version
River Rescue 2
This course must be conducted by a current NZOIA Kayak II instructor. NZOIA and Whitewater NZ recommend that a ratio limit of 1:6 be applied. River Rescue 1 is a pre-requisite to attending River Rescue 2.
River Rescue 2 - Scope and Syllabus
River Rescue 2 - Trainer and Participant Guide
Photo: Photo Courtesy of Oliver Weber Photography and Canoe Journeys.
Leader Qualifications - Workbooks & Answers
Click on the links below to download Leader Workbooks for candidates and Example Answers for Assessors to assist marking.
Important notes:
You will need to save the download to your computer before sending to candidates. Make sure you don't send them the answers by mistake!
Workbooks can now be filled in on the computer. Important - candidates must fill it in using Adobe PDF Reader, which most computers have. It is free to download on all computers via the Adobe website.
Workbooks can still be printed out and filled in manually by candidates if wished.
Marking: You can now mark workbooks online via Adobe Reader, or you can print off to mark manually. There is a section at the end of the workbook for assessor comments, however you can also make comments through out the text by using the comment/sticky note symbol located at the top of the screen (see below image). Place this comment symbol where you wish to make a comment.
Workbook Downloads:
Core Knowledge
- Core Knowledge Workbook
- ANSWERS for Assessors: Core Knowledge Workbook
Abseil Leader
- Abseil Workbook
- ANSWERS for Assessors: Abseil Workbook
Canoe Leader
- Canoe Workbook
- ANSWERS for Assessors: Canoe Workbook
Cave Leader
- Cave Workbook
- ANSWERS for Assessors: Cave Workbook
Rock Climbing Leader
- Rock Climbing Workbook
- ANSWERS for Assessors: Rock Climbing Workbook
Bush Walking Leader
- Bush Walking Workbook
- ANSWERS for Assessors: Bush Walking Workbook
Kayak Leader
- Kayak Workbook
- ANSWERS for Assessors: Kayak Workbook
Sea Kayaking Leader
- Sea Kayak Workbook
- ANSWERS for Assessors: Sea Kayak Workbook