ABOUT
Kiaora! Welcome to Search The Way.
What We Do:
We are a Provider of Programmes and Resources to encourage the Personal Development of youth and people of all ages.
One main focus is being a licenced deliverer, in the beautiful West Coast and Upper South Island regions of New Zealand, of the following youth development programmes :
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
The William Pike Challenge Award
The On Track Programme
If you would love to complete your own Learning Journey we can help you with:
Information
Resources
Support
Training
Why We Do It:
Our organisation is a Social Enterprise with the purpose that drives us being to empower personal development through new learning opportunities and positive interactions with the outdoor environment.
STW VISION, MISSION & VALUES
Whakatauaki (Maori Proverb): “Ko te kai rapu, ko ia te kite” (He who seeks finds)
VISION
Matakite
“That every person has opportunities to show (through experiences), know (through reflection) and grow (through integration and continuation) their true potential in life.”
MISSION
Aronga
“To provide quality learning opportunities and positive interactions with the outdoor environment that will inspire and empower others to reach their full potential in life”.
VALUES
Tikanga
The following Organisational Values “S.T.E.E.R.S.” (i.e. directs and guides) all STW decisions and tells others how STW will interact with those they serve: Safety, Teamwork, Encouragement, Enthusiasm, Respect, Service
"I think it all comes down to motivation. If you really want to do something, you will work hard for it." Sir Edmund Hillary
STW TEAM
Our team's aim in life is to help people of any age to take steps to perceive and achieve their true potential. We love people and enjoy the great outdoors, so getting the opportunity to walk alongside others and encourage them in their own journey is what we want our life to be all about.
JUSTIN BLACKLOCK
Director
Justin has been actively involved in designing, managing and running programmes that enhance people’s personal and social development for the best part of two decades now and holds several tertiary qualifications in outdoor instruction, outdoor first aid, pre-hospitable emergency care, outdoor safety, adventure based learning and in the education and training fields. He is a Bush 1 Instructor with NZOIA and enjoys his role at STW as a Skills Active Assessor for Tramping Qualifications. He loves administering and delivering Personal Development Programmes such as The William Pike Challenge Award and the On Track Programme and enjoys his role as an Award Leader for The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award for STW participants based in the West Coast and Top of the South Island regions. When not at work he enjoys spending time with his wife Silvia, especially playing music, and getting out for the odd hunting or fishing trip.
SILVIA BLACKLOCK CASTILLO PINTO
Coordinator
Silvia has been working with children for over thirteen years now both in her home country Chile and here in New Zealand. She loves interacting with people of all ages and cultures, encouraging them, learning from them and to help foster others in their own strengths and abilities. She holds tertiary qualifications in Children Education, Learning and Development. She enjoys teaching and helping others and working with groups. She also holds qualifications in Workplace and Outdoor First Aid and is currently completing her Outdoor Leader Qualification. Her other interests in life include listening and playing music (especially guitar), cooking (which her husband Justin enjoys very much), walking and handcrafts.
INSTRUCTORS / VOLUNTEERS
Lead & Assistant Instructors / Section Assessors
STW programmes have been privileged to have the assistance of many top quality leaders and section assessors. Where-ever possible, assistance is sought from key personnel from local organisations, whanau, schools, youth and outdoor agencies and the community at large to provide a support network for each participant. Each one contributes greatly by bringing their own set of skills, passions and desire to help others. All our support staff have experience and qualifications to suit their role in the organisation. All Instructors are Police vetted and have proven experience in the field. We are grateful to our partner organisations and look forward to working alongside other leaders and assessors into the future, to enhance programme effectiveness and help inspire others along their journey.
CODES OF PRACTICE
Search The Way after a process of consultation with its stakeholders, has adopted the following Codes of agreed principles.
Management, staff, volunteers and contractors at Search The Way Limited (trading as Search The Way, STW) are required to abide by this Code.
Search The Way’s Client Service Charter provides an outline of the level of service individuals can expect when accessing Search The Way’s services.
All STW Outdoor Activities follow the Outdoor Safety Code.
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION ACTIVITY MINIMUM IMPACT CODES
STW as an organisation is committed to following at all times the following DOC Activity Minimum Impact Codes: Leave No Trace, Camping Care - Activity Minimal Impact Code, Disposal of Human Waste where no toilets provided - Activity Minimum Impact Code, Feminine Hygiene in the backcountry - Activity Minimum Impact Code, Photography Care Code - Activity Minimum Impact Code
STW as an organisation is committed to following the guidelines outlined in the Outdoor Access Code
When STW activities are near bodies of water it abides by the NZ Water Care and Safety Codes.
STW is committed to following the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) protocols for preventing the spread of freshwater pests.
STW Lead Instructor Justin Blacklock is an NZOIA Qualified Instructor and abides at all times by the NZOIA Code of Ethical Practice for Outdoor Professionals.
STW Lead Instructor Justin Blacklock is listed on the NZ Register of Recreational Professionals and abides at all times by the NZRRP Code of Ethical Practice for Recreational Professionals.
Search The Way Ltd is a member organisation of Ara Taiohi and adheres to the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa NZ.