Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award
Own your journey with an experience like no other
Duke of Ed is an opportunity to challenge yourself, learn new skills, and make a real impact - all while having an unforgettable adventure.
Qualifying Journeys
New Zealand Sailing Trust is an accredited provider of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award.
Each Award level builds on the last: students grow their seamanship, teamwork and leadership skills while gaining confidence, capability and a stronger connection to the marine environment.
Bronze Award
Any voyage with a minimum of 2-nights, 3-days meets the requirements for both the Practice Journey and the Qualifying Journey of the Bronze Award level.
What you’ll experience
Departing from our base in Auckland, you’ll embark on a hands-on voyage where you’ll learn and apply sailing fundamentals, crew and helm roles, navigation and weather interpretation, teamwork and leadership, all in a real maritime environment.
Why this journey works for Bronze Award
Voyaging with the New Zealand Sailing Trust fulfils the Practice Journey requirement, giving participants the opportunity to rehearse skills, adapt to the environment, work as a team, and build leadership capability.
It also meets the Qualifying Journey criteria: the duration, outdoor environment, shared responsibilities, navigation elements, and structured reflections align directly with the Award’s aim to build resilience, teamwork, self-reliance and a adventurous voyage.
As a Recognised Activity Provider for the Award, the New Zealand Sailing Trust delivers programmes designed to develop leadership, confidence, courage, teamwork and environmental awareness.
Complete both your practice and qualifying journeys in one seamless programme.
Feel proud of what you achieve, and take those skills forward into the Silver Award and beyond.
Silver Award
Any voyage with a minimum of 3-nights and 4-days meets the requirements for both the Practice Journey and the Qualifying Journey at the Silver Award level.
What you’ll experience
Departing from our base in Auckland, you’ll embark on a dynamic voyage with the New Zealand Sailing Trust. You’ll engage in hands-on sailing: learning and applying navigation and weather skills; taking helm and crew roles; developing teamwork, leadership and self-reliance; all while immersed in a genuine maritime environment.
Why this journey works for Silver Award
Voyaging with the New Zealand Sailing Trust fulfils the Practice Journey requirement, offering you the chance to refine skills, adapt to the marine environment, lead and follow as part of a team, and step up your responsibility.
Simultaneously, it meets the Qualifying Journey criteria: the longer duration of 3 nights/4 days, outdoor exposure, shared navigational and sailing responsibilities, teamwork under challenge, and structured reflection all align perfectly with the Silver Award’s emphasis on resilience, leadership, adventure and personal growth.
As a Recognised Activity Provider for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award, the New Zealand Sailing Trust designs programmes that develop leadership, confidence, courage, teamwork and environmental awareness.
Complete both your practice and qualifying journeys in one seamless, marine-based programme.
Feel proud of what you achieve, and carry your new-found skills, resilience and leadership forward into your next challenge.
Gold Award
Any voyage with a minimum of 4-nights and 5-days meets the requirements for both the Practice Journey and the Qualifying Journey at the Gold Award level. This programme also meets the Residential Project requirement.
What you’ll experience
Setting sail from our base in Auckland, you’ll embark on an immersive 4-night, 5-day voyage with the New Zealand Sailing Trust. Throughout your journey, you’ll deepen your sailing capability, navigation and weather awareness, teamwork and leadership, all while living and working together at sea.
You’ll take on meaningful responsibility, contribute to voyage planning and decision-making, and embrace real challenge and adventure in an authentic maritime environment. Expect moments of learning, teamwork, reflection and pride as you grow through the experience.
Why this journey works for the Gold Award
Voyaging with the New Zealand Sailing Trust fulfils the Practice Journey requirement by providing a supportive environment where you refine sailing skills, develop resilience, practice leadership and problem-solving, and learn to operate effectively in a team at sea.
It also meets the Qualifying Journey criteria for Gold. The extended time away, leadership responsibilities, shared duties, navigation and planning elements, and reflective learning all align with the focus on independence, leadership, teamwork and personal development.
In addition, this programme also fulfils the Residential Project component, bringing together a group of young people from different backgrounds to live and work collaboratively in a new environment, building connection, confidence and personal growth.
As a Recognised Activity Provider for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award, the New Zealand Sailing Trust delivers purposeful, challenging and inspiring experiences that foster leadership, courage, teamwork and environmental stewardship.
Complete your practice and qualifying Gold Adventurous Journey in one seamless and rewarding programme. Then return to finish your residential project components, the perfect way to achieve your Gold Award.
Feel immensely proud of your accomplishment, and carry forward the confidence, capability and sense of adventure you’ve built on board.
