Developed by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu in partnership with Outward Bound, Aoraki Bound was first run in 2006 as a 20-day personal and leadership development hīkoi incorporating Ngāi Tahutanga.
The Aoraki Bound programme has been in hibernation since 2020. 

The Office of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu has given approval for Pūruatia Trust to manage the operation of Aoraki Bound for three years, and to begin the mahi of engaging with whānau, hapū, marae, Rūnanga and hapori to kōrero about the possible options for Aoraki Bound going forward.  

We have received funding to explore restarting Aoraki Bound. Since it has been 20 years since the first Aoraki Bound hīkoi, there will be an initial scoping phase to inform the present and future format of the kaupapa. 

Ariana Stevens (Trustee of Pūruatia Trust) and Craig Pauling will be leading this scoping mahi. Both Ariana and Craig have a strong passion for and close association with Aoraki Bound through their previous involvement in the kaupapa. 

From September 2026, we will be inviting Rūnanga, whānau and other interested parties to share their whakaaro about what Aoraki Bound could look like going forward. You can register your interest in being involved in kōrero about Aoraki Bound by filling in this short form. 

If you have any questions or kōrero about Aoraki Bound, please email: aorakibound@puruatiatrust.co.nz