7-Day Youth Voyages

We have 12 trainees aboard on each voyage and we deliver up to 20 voyages per year. With a 1:3 crew to trainee ratio, youth are offered a hands-on and engaging experience.

The programme is not just a trip on a tall ship. Tikanga Māori, education, new experiences and a focus on belonging underpin delivery.

Environment: Whakawhānaungatanga is our guiding principle. We focus on creating a sense of belonging, demonstrated through deliberate inclusivity and acceptance.

Education: A structured programme is delivered. Crew deliver modules on Safety at Sea, Meteorology, Sailing and Seamanship, Polynesian Celestial Navigation, Marine Navigation, Sustainability, Pollution and Recycling, Marine Wildlife, Financial Literacy, Food and Nutrition, Fishing, and Environmental activities. A specific talk on careers and post-school planning is also delivered.

New Experiences: Like many Adventure Education Programmes, exposure to many new and unique experiences and challenges creates and strengthens neural pathways that support improved coping skills and decision making in the future. The tall ship experience is no different. Trainees learn traditional sailing skills, climb the mast, swim, collect seafood, take walks ashore and engage in many other outdoor activities.

Tikanga: Te Ao Māori approach is woven into the programme. Over 60% of the Trainees are Māori; our crew members are Maori and NZ Pākehā. Relationships are Tuakana-Teina in nature and tikanga is foundational in our delivery. 

Our Youth Development programme is for students aged 14-18. 

Funding is reserved for students living in Northland, New Zealand.

Students from outside Northland are welcome to undertake a voyage; however, we cannot provide the same level of subsidy, nor can we provide grants or sponsorships. 

International students may participate; however, they will be expected to pay the full $2,570 voyage cost.

There are no financial barriers for our Northland Youth to join a voyage.  The value of a 7-day voyage is $2,570 per trainee. We raise funds to reduce this fee to $1,450 for our Northland youth, then you can then apply for our Grant Scheme to reduce this fee further. Then we ask you to contribute what you can towards your voyage.

Here’s how it works

We raise funds to reduce the cost

For students from the Taitokerau Northland region the Trust provides a subsidy to reduce the cost. We provide funds for the subsidy from surpluses from our tourism activity and from generous donations. All guests who sail with us contribute to our kaupapa. Generous donations also help to make up our contribution.

This means we can reduce the costs from $2,570 to $1,450.

Pay what you can

We ask each trainee to contribute toward their voyage. The amount that is contributed by each trainee is based on the resources available and the individual circumstances of their whānau. This may include fundraising, seeking sponsorship outside of our Grant Scheme, or working for the funds. We are happy to chat this through.

Apply for a Grant

Youth from Taitokerau can apply for a Grant to cover the balance of the cost. We source this additional funding for you from a large number of grants and sponsorships and from some generous individual donors. There is a section on our application form to apply for funding support.

Complete a Grant application

The financial cost should not be a barrier to coming on board this life changing experience. We work hard to raise funds to ensure every Northland young person has the opportunity to sail with us.

The Bay of Islands is an area encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands, it’s rich in history, culture and offers endless off the beaten track to explore.

• Great sheltered anchorages, even in bad weather
• Idyllic islands, golden beaches, rolling green hills, and native forest rich with birds.
• Home to pest free islands
• Rich in bio-diversity
• Common sightings of dolphins, seals and visiting whales
• Visitor friendly