From bus breakdown to fierce paintball battles and a mandatory river swim and manu, our trip to Ngamuwahine Lodge was nothing short of legendary. Here’s how our day in the ranges played out!

Saturday, 1st February was an unforgettable day for the hostel boys as we embarked on an action-packed trip to Ngamuwahine Lodge in Tauranga. It was a bit of a rocky start—we almost didn’t make it out of Hamilton with one of the buses breaking down—but we finally got rolling and set off for what turned out to be an epic day of adventure, teamwork, and good laughs.

Upon arrival at Ngamuwahine, the boys were split into three groups and cycled through a series of adrenaline-pumping activities: the High Ropes Course, Flying Fox, and Paintball. Each challenge pushed their limits, tested their courage, and brought out their competitive spirit. The staff had their hands full clipping the boys on and off the obstacles, but there were plenty of laughs along the way—especially during paintball, where a bit of friendly payback was on the cards!

After an action-packed day, a compulsory swim in the river was the perfect way to wash off the dirt and sweat. Not only was it refreshing, but it also helped ease the sting of the inevitable paintball bruises—trophies, as the boys like to call them. And there were plenty of trophies to go around, considering most of them decided to play shirtless. Was it bravery? Or something else? We’re still not sure, but one thing’s certain—the games were fiercely competitive and a whole lot of fun.

A massive shoutout to Gerry and his crew at Ngamuwahine Lodge for hosting us. Their well-run activities made the day flow smoothly and ensured everyone had an unforgettable time. Huge thanks also to our hostel staff, who worked hard behind the scenes to pull this trip together.

Ngamuwahine Lodge delivered an experience we won’t forget anytime soon, and we’re already counting down to the next one!