Hillcrest High School has a strong relationship with local Iwi, Ngaati Hauaa, and this is further strengthened every year through the Year 9 Tauwhare Pa Trip. Hauora class groups will experience life on the Marae through an all day waananga which begins with a Poowhiri.

During the day, Year 12 student leaders and Hauora teachers lead the Year 9 students through a variety of activities, including Marae orientation, harakeke, tititoorea and the school haka. The trip is an important part of the introduction to life at Hillcrest High School and how the school links to mana whenua and the wider community. All students are encouraged to attend as it gives them an opportunity to immerse themselves in high school life and bond with students from their Hauora class and year level.

In collaboration with the Hillary Outdoors Education Centre on Great Barrier Island we have shaped a four week course that melds a combination of outdoor activities, community action and studies revolving around the principles of sustainability.

In 2012 we ran two inaugural courses, one for girls and the other for boys. The programme is still surging ahead with strong support from parents, students and the local community. The course requires students to live independently in double berth cabins with students responsible for their cooking, washing, personal and group requirements. There is no cellphone coverage at the camp and students learn to live device free.

Students are supervised by a mixture of Hillcrest High School staff and Hillary Outdoors instructors. Under their expert guidance the students undertake 2-3 day expeditions and a range of outdoor activities including coasteering, high ropes course, sailing, sea kayaking, tramping, steep creeking, fishing, snorkelling, gardening and adventure based learning.

They undertake a cross-curricular study of cultural, economic, environmental and social sustainability, interacting during the process with local tangata whenua, business owners, primary school, Glenfern Sanctuary, DOC and the Orama community.

At the end of each course a celebration evening is held during which the students deliver a presentation of their experiences and studies to their parents, along with taking the time to acknowledge their accomplishments and present awards.