Nau mai, haere mai ki ĀTA Adventure Therapy Aotearoa
Ko wai mātou – Who we are
ĀTA (Adventure Therapy Aotearoa) is a national networking association dedicated to weaving together a community of practitioners who use Nature and Adventure- based approaches in their therapeutic mahi.
ĀTA encourages best practice and fosters collaboration, learning, and growth within the field across Aotearoa.
Our Kaupapa
Whakawhanaungatanga
To build and strengthen connections between Adventure, Nature, and Experiential- based Therapy practitioners across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Tautoko
To support the development of safe, ethical and quality practice.
Whakamana
To increase the visibility and credibility of Adventure, Nature and Experiential- based Therapeutic approaches within the wider community.
Ako
To support ongoing learning, training, and professional (or community) development
Mahi Tahi
To foster collaboration, research, and evaluation – bringing together academics, practitioners, whānau, and those with lived experience.
He Aha – What is Adventure Therapy?
Adventure Therapy uses meaningful outdoor experiences and time in te taiao to support wellbeing, and personal growth. It blends therapeutic practice with the healing power of the natural world, helping people build confidence, whanaungatanga, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Practitioners work safely and intentionally, tailoring the experiences to the needs of individuals and groups. Adventure Therapy can support rangatahi, adults, whānau, and communities across many contexts, from education to mental health and social services.
Our Whānau
ĀTA provides a waka for people from diverse professions to come together, share knowledge, and explore ways of practicing. What unites us is a curiosity and willingness to walk alongside others with clear intention in te taiao, the natural world.
Our members are based across Aotearoa, working in many fields of practice. ĀTA welcomes all — therapists, outdoor instructors, youth workers, social workers, eco-therapists, equine therapists, psychotherapists, coaches, counsellors, and many others. We aspire to be a community that fosters whakawhanaungatanga-connection and networking at any stage of your professional journey.
Our strength lies in the diversity of our members’ practice. You do not need to be a therapist or a high-level outdoor instructor to belong here. What matters most is a willingness to work alongside people outdoors with intention, purpose, and aroha, creating a sense of connection and belonging within our waka.