Congratulations to Mark Johnston for being awarded the Tall Tōtara award at last week’s NZOIA Excellence Awards 2024!

Awarded to a current instructor or guide who personifies ‘excellence in outdoor leadership’. A highly respected role model, someone who has contributed significantly to outdoor education in New Zealand through both work with clients and with aspirant instructors/guides.

Mark exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism, dedication, and passion for the outdoors and our outdoor community. His unwavering commitment to the sector, along with his focus on safety, personal development, and the growth of others, is inspirational to all he encounters. His dedication is evident in every aspect of his work, from solid preparation to his calm, competent, yet enthusiastic approach in the field.

Mark’s career as an outdoor instructor and guide spans almost three decades and he has consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism. Much of this has been spent at Adventure Specialties Trust. One of his most admirable qualities is his commitment to seeing the best in others. He has a remarkable ability to identify and nurture potential in aspiring instructors and guides, helping them achieve their goals and grow into confident, skilled professionals.

A NZOIA member for over 25 years, he holds multiple NZOIA qualifications, Sea Kayak 2, Bush 1, Alpine 1, Rock 1, and Kayak 1. He is also a qualified raft guide. This reflects his strong technical and instructional skills. His dedication to sustainable environmental practices further underscores his role as a model for others in the field.

Congrats, Mark, you are this year’s Tall Tōtara.

Text by NZOIA
Awards Photo credit: Andy Thompson Photography NZ

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Congratulations to our CEO, Tim Wills, for being recognised as an Honorary Life Member at the NZOIA Excellence Awards last week!

This award is awarded to a member who personifies the very best combination of an excellent instructor/guide, a high achieving personal performer, and an outstanding contributor to the work and promotion of the association.

Tim Wills has had a significant impact not only on NZOIA and our wider industry, but on countless individuals he has crossed paths with.

A NZOIA member for over 30 years, he has held a raft of both land and water based NZOIA quals: Alpine 2, Bush 2, Rock 2, Kayak 1, Sea Kayak 1.

Tim easily ticks all the boxes for the Life Member criteria: providing a long-term contribution as an Assessor, in governance, on technical committees and through qualification development. No one has been more dedicated to giving their time freely to NZOIA. He completed a term as the NZOIA TSC convenor and then had his arm twisted to stand for the Board. An impressive nine years of service in total!

Tim has spent a lifetime of commitment to adventure, with many years spent working at Adventure Specialties Trust. Whether he’s scaling mountains, riding waves or chasing the wind, he’s always excited and ready for the next outdoor thing!
It’s not only about what he has done, it is about how he has done it, always bouncing with enthusiasm for the next adventure. Tim is always positive, if the weather is marginal his attitude is that it might improve! He empowers others to go beyond what they thought they could do.

A Tall Tōtara recipient in the past, it is with great pleasure that we award honorary life membership to this humble and outdoor fun seeker…Tim Wills!

Text written by NZOIA
Awards Photo credit: Andy Thompson Photography NZ

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