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OUR TEAM
Meet the bunch of outdoor adventure-loving good sorts who work with us.
This whānau of misfits are passionate, fun-loving, ‘life’ adventurers who love to serve all those people with whom we are privileged to rub shoulders with.
NZOIA MEMBERS
POLICE VETTED
SKILLS ACTIVE ASSESSORS*
ADVANCED FIRST-AID QUALIFIED
MANAGEMENT & SAFETY
TIM WILLS
Chief Executive Officer
Our main man, Tim, has more than 30 years experience in outdoor pursuits. Tim is an accomplished kayaker, climber, skier and he will often be found adventuring locally and abroad in the mountains or on the water getting “big air” (well, so he says) on his kiteboard. He also thinks he’s a pretty good surfer (and Kelly Slater look alike but we know better).
The father of four doesn’t see his role as a job but rather a lifestyle – he says the Trust is in his DNA – and his family have always been part of the adventure.
Tim's Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts in Geography
- Diploma in Secondary School Teaching
- NZOIA Rock 2, Bush 2, Alpine 2, Kayak1 and Sea Kayak 1 instructor
- NZOIA Rock 1, Abseil 1 and Kayak Leader assessor
- NZOIA technical sub-committee convenor
- New Zealand Rafting Association member, Grade 5 Raft Guide, Grade 3 Trip Leader
- Certified in Pre-hospital Emergency Care for Ski Patrollers and Outdoor Recreational Personnel
- 2013 NZOIA Tall Totara award recipient for excellence in outdoor leadership
MARK JOHNSTON
Training and Safety Manager
Mark is a keen tramper, skier, rock climber, mountain biker and kayaker. He has kayaked many rivers in both the North and South Islands and his sea kayaking experience includes the Marlborough Sounds, Abel Tasman National Park, Bay of Islands, Great Barrier Island, Fiordland and Alaska.
Mark is married to Diana and they have two sons, James and Caleb.
Mark's Experience & Qualifications
- NZOIA Sea Kayak 2, Kayak 1, Rock 1, Alpine 1 and Bush 1 instructor
- Certified in Pre-hospital Emergency Care for Ski Patrollers and Outdoor Recreational Personnel
- New Zealand Rafting Association member and Grade 2 Guide
ANDY BALCAR
Christchurch operations manager
Andy’s extensive experience as a youth worker, youth work trainer and teacher (in mainstream schools and alternative education with an outdoor focus) led him to his current role.
He particularly enjoys seeing the great outdoors work its magic on people as they learn, grow and discover more about themselves in community.
Andy's Experience & Qualifications
- Diploma in Youth and Community Work
- Bachelor of Parks and Recreation and Tourism Management
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
- NZOIA Bush 1
- NZOIA Rock 1 (lead endorsement)
- NZOIA Mountain Bike 1
- Pre-Hospital Emergency Care (PHEC)
JEFF LAPPIN
Auckland Operations Manager
Jeff trained with us as an outdoor instructor in 2006 but it took 10 years for him to return! In that time he got married, had three children and became a teacher. He is a keen tramper, caver and fisherman, and is always up for a bit of exploring.
He loves to see other people realise that they are actually capable of achieving things they didn’t think were possible for them. He and his wife, Helen, also enjoy great coffee and exploring kid-friendly cafes for their three children, Joelle, Charlotte and Elise. Recommendations gladly accepted!
Jeff's Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor in Primary Teaching
- Diploma in Biblical Studies
- Certificate in Outdoor Recreation Instruction
- NZOIA Bush 1
- NZOIA Rock 1
- NZOIA Cave 1
AMY HORN
Adventure Therapy Manager
Amy is passionate about developing our services that focus on therapeutic change and personal development. She is a strong believer in the healing power of nature and therapeutic value of doing activity outside with others. She started her career as an outdoor instructor and has developed into the therapy side of things and is now fully qualified in both areas.
In her spare time Amy likes to spend time with her husband, step-teenagers and toddler – preferably outside on some sort of activity that everyone enjoys! Or with her friends doing some exercise, usually walking or mountain biking in the hills.
Amy's Experience & Qualifications
- Diploma of Outdoor Recreation Leadership
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
- Masters in Counselling
- NZOIA Kayak 1
- NZOIA Bush 2
- NZOIA Sea Kayak 1
- NZOIA Rock 1
- Pre-Hospital Emergency Care
- 20+ years working in the outdoors
- Chairperson of Adventure Therapy Aotearoa
- Committee Member of the International Adventure Therapy
OUR ‘ADVENTURE WITH PURPOSE’ TEAM
ANDY BALCAR
Christchurch operations manager
Andy’s extensive experience as a youth worker, youth work trainer and teacher (in mainstream schools and alternative education with an outdoor focus) led him to his current role.
He particularly enjoys seeing the great outdoors work its magic on people as they learn, grow and discover more about themselves in community.
Andy's Experience & Qualifications
- Diploma in Youth and Community Work
- Bachelor of Parks and Recreation and Tourism Management
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
- NZOIA Bush 1
- NZOIA Rock 1 (lead endorsement)
- NZOIA Mountain Bike 1
- Pre-Hospital Emergency Care (PHEC)
JEFF LAPPIN
Auckland Operations Manager
Jeff trained with us as an outdoor instructor in 2006 but it took 10 years for him to return! In that time he got married, had three children and became a teacher. He is a keen tramper, caver and fisherman, and is always up for a bit of exploring.
He loves to see other people realise that they are actually capable of achieving things they didn’t think were possible for them. He and his wife, Helen, also enjoy great coffee and exploring kid-friendly cafes for their three children, Joelle, Charlotte and Elise. Recommendations gladly accepted!
Jeff's Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor in Primary Teaching
- Diploma in Biblical Studies
- Certificate in Outdoor Recreation Instruction
- NZOIA Bush 1
- NZOIA Rock 1
- NZOIA Cave 1
JO MATLA
Christchurch Operations Assistant
Jo loves working with people and has worked in a variety of roles including youth work, research, support work in schools and school administration. She loves to relax with coffee in hand and dog by her side on the beach. Jo is married to Rich with two teenage boys. They love travelling together and exploring the outdoors, especially in the mountains skiing or mountain biking, or at the beach chasing the waves.
Jo's Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor of Physical Education
- Diploma in Ministry Internship
NATHALIE NASRALLAH
Auckland Instructor
After studying and working in the film editing industry, Nathalie found her call for the outdoors. She completed her studies at Tai Poutini Polytechnic, finishing with a Diploma in Outdoor Education and Instruction.
Nathalie has spent two seasons in the sunny, beautiful Abel Tasman sea kayak guiding, before spending the last two years doing contract work around Auckland. Nathalie has a passion for people, letting them experience the wonders of nature and seeing them push their boundaries.
In her free time, you’ll see Nathalie surfing, tramping, and editing films on the side.
Nathalie's Experience & Qualifications
- Diploma in Outdoor Education and Instruction
- NZOIA Leader Sea Kayak
- NZOIA Bush 1
- NZOIA Leader Rock
- NZOIA Leader Abseil
- Pre-Hospital Emergency Care (PHEC)
OLI GEORGE
Auckland Instructor
Oli joined the AdSpecs team at the start of 2022. He is a keen runner and loves to hit the trails on the outskirts of Auckland with his dog Kash as often as possible. Oli enjoys practicing yoga and generally loves all things to do with fitness. He has also studied Sport and Recreation, Personal Training, Physiotherapy and Youth Development.
Even though he isn’t a dad yet, the dad jokes come pretty naturally to Oli and his quick wit will have you laughing more often than it will have you rolling your eyes (he likes to think). Oli also loves trivia, quizzes and solving puzzles and riddles.
Oli's Experience & Qualifications
- NZOIA Bush 1
- Diploma in Sport and Recreation
- Certificate in Personal Training
- Certificate in Youth Development
- Outdoor First Aid
ISAAC BAYLDON
Auckland Instructor
Kia ora! I have arrived at Adventure Specialties after studying a diploma in Outdoor Education at Hillary Outdoors. After figuring out that I had a passion for just about every aspect of the outdoors I have tried, plus a desire to bring people along and teach them what I love, I thought “Hey, I could be an outdoor instructor!” So here I am!
I have spent time working as a ski Instructor, a teacher aide and volunteering my time into youth group and youth camps.
In my spare time, I can be found hanging off my finger tips on a rock climb, bumbling down the rapids of a river in a kayak, climbing up or skiing down mountain faces, or somewhere in the bush. But above all I want to keep learning and enjoying creation.
Isaac's Experience & Qualifications
- Diploma in Outdoor Recreation
- NZOIA Bush 1
- NZOIA Rock 1
- NZOIA Kayak Leader
- NZOIA Abseil Leader
- Pre-Hospital Emergency Care (PHEC)
REBECCA WILLIS
Christchurch Instructor
Before venturing into the outdoors, Rebecca had a successful career as a ballet dancer, performing with an Australian ballet company. Her experience as a dance instructor sparked her love for teaching. It was during a trip to New Zealand that she fell in love with the outdoors and realised her true calling was combining her passion for nature with her instruction.
Rebecca's Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor in Sustainability and Outdoor Education (Ara)
- NZOIA Rock 1
- NZOIA Bush 1
- NZOIA Kayak 1
- Comprehensive First Aid
- Level 5 Avalanche and Risk Management (Otago Polytechnic)
ALEX DEAN
Auckland Instructor
Alex's Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor of Sport and Recreation (Outdoor Education)
- NZOIA Rock 1 / NZQA Rock (Level5)
- NZQA Bush (Level 5)
- Skills Active High Ropes (Level 5)
- Skills Active Cycle Skills (Level 3)
- Certificate in Youth Work with Adventure and Nature-Based Approach (Level 4)
REUBEN BIGGELAAR
Auckland Instructor
After spending a few years as a free-lancer in the NZ film industry, Reuben realised that his work was not bringing the fulfilment to his life that he had hoped for. He started looking for ways to combine his love of the outdoors with his passion for volunteer youth leadership, and see if it could be turned into a career.
He completed our internship in 2023, and continued his youth development studies in 2024, while learning practical instructing skills along the way. Having completed his Diploma in Youth Development, he is now instructing with us full time.
He is passionate about sharing with others the experiences that he was blessed to grow up with, using the outdoors as a medium for personal growth and building resilience young people.
Reuben's Experience & Qualifications
- Diploma in Youth Development (Level 6)
- NZOIA Bush 1
- NZOIA Mountain Bike Leader
- Comprehensive First Aid
DEAN ZHAI
Auckland Instructor
Hey, meet Dean(o)! He’s from Runcorn in the UK and his love of the outdoors has taken him all over the world to some amazing places. He started this career in 2019 and hasn’t looked back! So much to see and do, right?
His real passion, though, is whitewater rafting. He’s spent the last three years tackling crazy waterfalls and big rivers in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. When he’s not in the water, he enjoys playing board games with friends and eating all the tasty treats he misses whilst out on an expedition.
His main goal is to make the outdoors an accessible space for everyone to enjoy.
Dean's Experience & Qualifications
- Diploma in Youth Development (Level 6)
- NZOIA Bush 1
- NZOIA Mountain Bike Leader
- Comprehensive First Aid
OUR ‘ADVENTURE THERAPY’ TEAM
AMY HORN
Adventure Therapy Manager
Amy is passionate about developing our services that focus on therapeutic change and personal development. She is a strong believer in the healing power of nature and therapeutic value of doing activity outside with others. She started her career as an outdoor instructor and has developed into the therapy side of things and is now fully qualified in both areas.
In her spare time Amy likes to spend time with her husband, step-teenagers and toddler – preferably outside on some sort of activity that everyone enjoys! Or with her friends doing some exercise, usually walking or mountain biking in the hills.
Amy's Experience & Qualifications
- Diploma of Outdoor Recreation Leadership
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
- Masters in Counselling
- NZOIA Kayak 1
- NZOIA Bush 2
- NZOIA Sea Kayak 1
- NZOIA Rock 1
- Pre-Hospital Emergency Care
- 20+ years working in the outdoors
- Chairperson of Adventure Therapy Aotearoa
- Committee Member of the International Adventure Therapy
ANNEKE BEARDSLEY
Adventure Therapy Clinician – Christchurch
Anneke has a firm belief in the healing and health that comes from connecting to Te Taiao, the natural world. Anneke is very excited to be working in this role as Adventure Therapy Clinician; to be going on outdoor adventures with people who are navigating significant challenges in their lives, and to be encouraging and facilitating the reflection that leads to wellbeing and self-development.
Anneke has a Masters in Social Work, and has years of experience as a Kaimahi Toko i te Ora (Social Worker) with previous roles supporting Rangatahi in fostercare, working with tamariki and their whānau in school communities, and in enhancing women’s wellbeing.
As mum to a seven and ten year old, most of her time outside of work is invested in whānau mini adventures, and exploring and appreciating this beautiful world that we live in.
Anneke's Experience & Qualifications
- Masters in Social Work (Applied)
- A Registered Social Worker
- Outdoor First Aid
- Member of Adventure Therapy Aotearoa
EMILY MURRAY BARRETT
Adventure Therapy Clinician – Auckland
Emily has a passion for working with people in the natural environment. She has a background working as a youth mentor, sports coach and camp counsellor.
While having conversations during recreational activities, Emily noticed a great number of individuals struggling with their thoughts and feelings about themselves and others. She decided to integrate her love of working in the outdoors with a mental health qualification. Emily trained as an occupational therapist and went on to do her Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy.
Emily’s training has given her the skills and knowledge to work with individuals experiencing a variety of complex issues including the following: anxiety, depression, emotional dis-regulation, loneliness, trauma, loss and despair, self-harm, social anxiety, self-esteem issues, identity, sexuality and gender challenges.
Emily's Experience & Qualifications
- Diploma in Sport and Recreation
- Diploma in Fitness Training
- Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy
- Post grad Diploma in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
- Masters in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (provisional registration with PBANZ)
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
KerRyN AndERSON
ACCOUNTS
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Keeping us on track! Kerryn comes from a not-for-profit background and loves to make a difference. Her heart lies in the youth sector.
She has three amazing teens who keep her busy. In her spare time she loves to go tramping and visiting new places…
BEX CHARTERIS
COMMUNICATIONS
After spending 13+ years as a professional photographer (including three years as a military photographer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force), I upskilled into digital marketing and communications. I feel incredibly blessed to have stumbled upon Adventure Specialties Trust, where I can use my skills to help the team reach out to people in our communities who need help and support.
My work here ranges from graphic design to website updates to social media posts to photography to video editing and more. So much variety – I love it!
In my spare time, I love playing football (soccer) including a women’s league during winter and a social mixed 7-aside team during summer – I’m a bit obsessed! Plus yoga, rock climbing and jogging (I think it’s pronounced ‘yogging’).
ELIZABETH ROYDS
NATIONAL FUNDING ADMINISTRATOR
Elizabeth comes from a background in the not-for-profit sector and is passionate about helping to change the lives of young people.
After many years in the UK, Elizabeth is thrilled to be back living in her home country of Aotearoa. She says it is a joy to be introducing her young family to all the opportunities available in New Zealand’s beautiful wilderness including skiing, cycling and sailing.
TRUSTEES
BRIAN KNOLLES
Chairman
Brian is married to Delia, the father of four adult children, and grandfather of four. As Chair of Adventure Specialties Trust (AST), you might assume that he must be a bit of an outdoors junkie, this would be stretching the truth slightly. But he is certainly passionate about seeing lives transformed, hanging with the AST whanau and the odd trip into the wild.
Brian has enjoyed a varied career in telecommunications, IT, and more recently in the role of CEO for his own company.
Brian has been a supporter and a BIG fanboy of AST for many years. Brian sees it as his huge privilege to support the multi-talented, passionate, dedicated team that makes AST such an awesome organisation and a force for positive change in our community.
TANYA LAYBOURN
Trustee
Tanya has been involved with Adventure Specialties Trust since the early 90s, and did two stints as a full time instructor. She has worked with teenagers since forever, and is passionate about the way that the Outdoors challenges us and changes us in so many ways. Time in nature is good for the soul.
Tanya has been a Trustee since 2016. She is the Deputy Principal at a Montessori High School. In her spare time, you will find her hiking in the hills, biking tracks, skiing in the winter, or at the beach with her dog.
VINCENT HEERINGA
Trustee
There’s nothing Vincent likes more than skiing down a cliff-face and telling a good story, so his apres ski yarns are epic.
Vincent has degrees in science and arts and was once, very briefly, a science and maths teacher. Most of his career has been in journalism and media.
He is co-founder of Good and Idealog magazines, helped establish the Science Media Centre and now consults to businesses on climate change, technology and communications.
Married to Sarah and with four adult children between them, he is a long-time member of Cityside Baptist Church and has a strong interest in celebrating and restoring the Creation through conservation.
LIAM GAO
Trustee
As a chartered accountant, Liam enjoys helping Adventure Specialties Trust reach its financial goals. He is passionate about helping businesses and not-for-profit organisations run as efficiently as possible while achieving top results – what he calls the ‘self-driving business’.
Unlike your typical accountant, though, he’s not afraid to get out there and get his hands dirty. Originally from China, he fell in love with the natural beauty of New Zealand’s many beaches, lakes, mountains and forests, and can be seen spending his free time tramping, wakeboarding and simply soaking in the stunning scenery NZ is known for.