Holiday Programmes

Each of our holiday programmes are led by qualified and passionate MERC staff who are dedicated to our mission of providing safe, fun, high quality marine environmental education and outdoor experiences for young New Zealanders.

- Payment is required within 2 hours of bookings being made to secure spaces - please see MERC's updated Terms and Conditions through EnrolMy. 

- Please note that MERC do not offer refunds or day swaps for the School Holiday Programme.

Standard Holiday Programme 

Our standard holiday programme provides your son/daughter with the opportunity to experience MERC missions which are themed around marine and land-based adventures. These missions can include a variety of activities and are dependent on conditions and group dynamics. Activites will be decided the day of to ensure they are best suited to weather conditions. 

• 7-13 years
• Activities commence at 9.00am and conclude at 4.00pm
• A regular session costs $56 per child per day with drop offs available from 8:00am and pick-ups until 4:30pm
• Early drop-offs from 7.30am-8.00am are charged an additional $5 per person
• Late pick-ups from 4.30pm-6.00pm are charged an additional $10 per person

Boating Outdoor Leadership Development (BOLD)

Have your kids join us on a voyage of discovery on our BOLD (Boating Outdoor Leadership Development) during the upcoming school holidays. BOLD is an opportunity for your kids to learn about themselves and leadership through the adventure of sailing.

• 10-13 years 
• Opportunity to book in for a single day through to the entire week - 20-24 January 
• Early drop-offs from 7.30am-8.00am are charged an additional $5 per person
• Late pick-ups from 4.30pm-6.00pm are charged an additional $10 per person

Blake Nga Rangatira Mo Apopo - Leaders for Tomorrow

Learn about the infamous leadership principals of one of Aotearoa/New Zealand’s greatest -Sir Peter Blake and the interconnectedness of our ecosystems. Working alongside our experienced team to develop your knowledge/skills in different outdoor settings, these skills will then be used to design and run an outdoor experience for school-aged kids during MERC’s school holiday programme.

• 16-18 years 
• 16-20 December
• 5 day residential experience 
• Successful completion of this programme will also meet the requirements for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award - Gold Residential Project.

Blake Haerenga - Long Bay Overnight 

Join us for a two-day overnight exploration of our Moana around Long Bay. This trip is focused on building up confidence with proper packing and navigational and paddling skills so the participant feels safe and self-sufficient out on the water. Along the way we will explore the ocean and the Long Bay Marine Reserve, looking into both flora and fauna. Learnings may include identifying marine life and coastal birds as well as identifying different coastal habitats and our impacts on these taiao (environments).

• 13-17 years 
• 13-14 January
• This trip is open to the public but can be leveraged as an opportunity to complete your Bronze Training and Practice Journeys through the Duke of Edinburgh International Award. 

City Nippers

In collaboration with Surf Lifesaving Northern Region, we are offering a city nippers programme to provide surf safety and beach awareness. Participants will learn how to understand rips and rescue people, safe boating messages and developing confidence in boats, and flotation through experiencing different types of boards and flotation tools.

• 7-13 years
• 3 day experience: 13-15 January

Blake Haerenga - Karepiro Bay Overnight Paddle

Continuing to build on the skills of the Blake Haerenga- Long Bay Overnight L1, Join us on January 16 - 17 for a two-day exploration of Karepiro Bay with an overnight at Dacre Cottage. This trip is focused on solidifying packing, navigational and paddling skills to ensure safety, and self-sufficiency out on the water. Along the way we will explore the Okura area of the Long Bay Marine Reserve, looking into the unique flora and fauna that come with a muddy flat estuary and mangrove habitats.

• 13-17 years
• 16-17 January 2025
• This trip is open to the public but can be leveraged as an opportunity to complete your Bronze Qualifying Journey through the Duke of Edinburgh International Award. 
• No Paddling experience is required for this trip, so whether you're a seasoned pro or a complete beginner join us in exploring a little slice of our backyard.

Testimonials

“My daughter does many holiday programs and extracurriculars, she has consistently said her merc days were by far her favourite. I also feel she is safe with the staff that lead the kids”. - Noreen R. 

“Best value holiday program with the most uplifted, energetic and welcoming team. We travelled a distance to attend and will be back next term! Have already made recommendations to several others to attend”- Andrea B.

“Thank you for providing a great, local school holiday programme option. My 12 year old came back and said his day was an 8.5 out of 10 - which I was thrilled with considering all he wants to do at the moment is spend the day inside on screens! Your staff engage with the age group really well and you provide a great range of outdoors activities that challenge the kids enough to keep them interested and wanting more. Please pass along our appreciation to all your hard working team." - Keryn G.