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OutdoorsMark is the national outdoor safety quality assurance programme designed specifically for organisations involved in outdoor education, outdoor recreation, and adventure activities. The OutdoorsMark safety-focused audit provides an independent process for assessing the robustness of organisational safety policies, procedures and practices for alignment with currently accepted outdoor industry standards. Three core areas are assessed: - Procedures
- People
- Equipment and Activity Areas
Approved OutdoorsMark auditors, all of who are current members of the Register of Outdoor Safety Auditors (ROSA), conduct OutdoorsMark audits. Organisations achieving the required standard are granted OutdoorsMark accreditation for a period of three years. This is provided that annual self-assessment and renewal declarations are submitted.
OutdoorsMark is administered, managed, and promoted by Outdoors NZ, the lead organisation supporting and representing outdoor recreation and education in New Zealand. Outdoors NZ members include outdoor educators, industry training organisations, volunteer groups, professional associations, and adventure tourism operators. Encouraging best practices and continuous improvement in outdoor safety and programme delivery is a key area of focus for Outdoors NZ.
OutdoorsMark is a development of the UK’s Adventure Activities Licensing Authority scheme. The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Trevor Mallard, launched OutdoorsMark in the New Zealand Parliament on 1 March 2004.
BENEFITS OF OUTDOORSMARK ACCREDITATION- Promotes safe participation in outdoor recreation and education
- Raises standards in outdoor programme delivery
- Provides assurance that national outdoor sector standards for safety and professionalism are being met
- Reduces the risk of injuries and accidents in the outdoors
- Establishes procedures for continuous review and revalidation
OutdoorsMark accreditation is proof that benchmark standards are being achieved. It demonstrates a commitment to participants and staff that sound policies and procedures exist and provides an assurance of safety and quality.
Accredited organisations are profiled on the Outdoors New Zealand website and other publications. Certificates, logo files, and stickers are readily available for organisations to advertise their accreditation status.
APPLYING FOR OUTDOORSMARKPrior to applying for OutdoorsMark it is suggested that approval and commitment from the organisation’s Board and members is sought. Additionally, the organisation should ensure that this important commitment to safety is part of the annual business plan for now and the future. OutdoorsMark is recognised as the national standard for outdoor safety accreditation by: -
Department of Conservation -
Ministry of Education -
Maritime New Zealand -
ACC -
SPARC -
NZ Mountain Safety Council Water Safety NZ -
NZ Outdoor Instructors Association -
Education Outdoors New Zealand -
The Secondary Principals Council AUDITORSOutdoors NZ contracts a group of approved OutdoorsMark auditors to conduct the desk and field safety audit process. OutdoorsMark auditors are members of the Register of Outdoor Safety Auditors (ROSA).
To maintain the highest standard for quality and consistency of the OutdoorsMark audit process, Outdoors NZ has rigorous criteria for approved OutdoorsMark auditors. OutdoorsMark auditors must maintain their currency in the necessary outdoor and audit qualifications, undergo training and moderation in the OutdoorsMark programme, and comply with a Code of Conduct covering areas such as confidentiality, inducements, and conflicts of interest. CONFIDENTIALITYOutdoors NZ and the OutdoorsMark auditors ensure the confidentiality of any and all information, self-assessments, and audit reports obtained through the OutdoorsMark accreditation programme. PROGRAMME FEESThe following annual fees apply to OutdoorsMark. While membership of Outdoors New Zealand is encouraged, it is not a requirement of OutdoorsMark.
1. Application Fee Outdoors NZ Members
One site $995.00 + GST
Additional Sites* $855.00 + GST
Non-Outdoors NZ Members
One site $1195.00 + GST
Additional Sites* $1055.00 + GST
The OutdoorsMark application fee includes the cost of programme administration and the desk and field safety audit. However, it excludes any auditor expenses such as phone calls, travel, or accommodation. Re-audits or additional work with the OutdoorsMark auditor incurs additional costs.
2. Annual Accreditation Fee
Once OutdoorsMark accreditation is granted to the organisation, the following annual fees apply:
Outdoors NZ Members
One site $595.00 + GST per year
Additional Sites* $455.00 + GST per year Non-Outdoors NZ Members
One site $795.00 + GST per year
Additional Sites* $655.00 + GST per year Note that upon application and payment of OutdoorsMark the organisation enters the OutdoorsMark programme. If Outdoors NZ does not receive the completed self-assessment by the anniversary date of the application, the organisation is invoiced for Year Two of the programme (providing the organisation still wishes to continue with the audit process). *Additional sites must have the same policies and procedures common to all sites to qualify for the reduced fee. If the organisation has additional sites with different policies and procedures, the one site fee will apply.
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