Staff
Welcome to the OENZ staff page
Alan Haslip (Managing Director)
Alan is a passionate climber, mountaineer and explorer. Alan believes that education in the outdoors is more than a subject “it’s a pedagogy in its own right” and a way of life.
Qualifications & Awards:
Bachelor of Adventure Recreation and Outdoor Education (ARA, Christchurch), NZOIA Bush Leader, NZOIA Bush 1, NZOIA Bush 2, NZOIA Rock 1, NZOIA Rock lead climbing endorsement, NZOIA Rock 2, NZOIA Alpine 1, NZOIA Apline 2, MSC BAA, MSC Avalanche 1, NZOIA Assessor for Bush Leader, Rock Leader & Abseil Leader, NZ Driver Class 1 +‘p’ endorsement, PHEC first aid, International expedition Leader.
*NZOIA (New Zealand Outdoor Instructor Association)
Sarah English (Managing Director)
Sarah’s passion lies in the bush, mountains and rock. Sarah believes the most powerful learning experiences come through challenge and adventure.
Qualifications & Awards:
Bachelor of Adventure Recreation and Outdoor Education, Diploma in Adventure Instructing and Guiding, NZOIA Bush1, NZOIA Bush 2, NZOIA Rock1 with sport climbing endorsement, NZOIA Alpine 1, Backcountry Avalanche Risk Management & Avalanche Risk Management L5, PHEC first aid, NZOIA Bush leader & Bush 1 assessor, NZOIA Rock leader, & Abseil leader assessor, Skills Active Assessor, International expedition Leader. NZ Driver Class 1 +‘p’ endorsement
*NZOIA (New Zealand Outdoor Instructor Association)
Nathanael Sage
Nathanael has been working with OENZ since 2017. He is passionate about enabling others to seek adventure and is equally at home in the sea as in the mountains.
Qualifications & Awards:
Certificate in Outdoor Education, Tai Poutini Polytechnic, 2013. Diploma in Outdoor Instructing and Guiding, at Tai Poutini Polytechnic, 2014. NZOIA Rock 1, NZOIA Bush 1, NZOIA Sea Kayak 1, Level 5 Avalanche Risk Management, First Aid.
Nino Pankusz
Nino is an avid outdoor enthusiast, especially keen on anything rock or water (frozen and liquid). You’ll find him running wild throughout the South Island on an adventure on any given weekend. During the week, he studies Sustainability and Outdoor Education at Ara.
Qualifications & Awards:
NZOIA Rock 1 + Sport Endorsement, NZOIA Bush 1, Whitewater Rescue 1 Course, Outdoor First Aid.
Arna Warrander
Arnas’ primary passion is Rock Climbing, followed closely by Tramping, Mountain Biking, and Sailing, and for her, being able to share these passions with others is hugely rewarding.
Qualifications & Awards:
Bachelor in Sustainability & Outdoor Education, NZOIA Rock 1 + Sport Endorsement, NZOIA Bush 1, PHEC. NZ Drivers LIcence Class 1.
Rebecca Sies
Rebecca has always had a passion for the outdoors since her first tramp. Her main pursuits are the bush and, recently, the rivers. She loves the excitement and knowledge she can pass towards other people, starting their journey of the outdoors.
Qualifications & Awards:
Bachelor outdoor education & Sustainability Ara. NZOIA Bush 1, NZOIA Rock & Abseil Leaders, PHEC, New Zeland River rescue course, Grade 2 Rafting award, Duke Of Edinburgh Award Leader. P-Licence
Kieran Mckay
Kieran is one of New Zealand’s most prolific and well-known cavers. He has remarkable achievements to his name, including discovering the deepest cave system in the southern hemisphere. Kieran has more than 30 years of experience in the New Zealand outdoors.
Qualifications & Awards:
NZOIA Cave1, NZOIA Cave2, NZOIA Cave Assessor, NZOIA Rock1, NZOIA Alpine2, NZOIA Bush2, New Zealand drivers license class 1&2, Wilderness first aid.
John Kirk-Anderson
John has been sharing his experience and love of sea kayaking for more than 25 years in a diverse range of teaching situations in New Zealand and internationally. He believes good skills and preparedness are keys to successful and rewarding adventures on the water.
Qualifications & Awards:
NZOIA Sea Kayak 2 Assessor, British Canoe Union (BCU) Five Star (Sea) and Level Four Coach (Sea), Life Member Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers (KASK), PHEC, Wilderness First Responder.
Jared van Vorsselen 
Jared is a keen outdoorsman and hiker from birth. When he’s not in the mountains you’ll find him at the local climbing crags or out on his bike. He has continued to grow this passion in the guiding scene and loves getting others out into our beautiful Aotearoa.
Qualifications & Awards:
NZOIA Rock leader, Abseil leader, is working towards a degree in sustainability and outdoor education (Ara). Class 1 driver and P license.
Jake Harris
Jake recently is a graduate of the ARA Sustainability Degree. He works for Christchurch Adventure Park as well as OENZ. He’s a keen mountain biker, hunter and photographer. He has lots of enthusiasm for introducing people to the outdoors.
Qualifications & Awards:
NZOIA Rock & Abseil Leader, NZOIA Bush 1, Bachelor of Sustainability and Outdoor Education ARA.
Casual/Seasonal employment
If you are an outdoor instructor or guide and would like to work for us in the upcoming session, please contact our office for available positions.
We are always looking for great people to join our team with industry qualifications.
Ideal applicants will have the following:
- Full driver’s licence & P licence
- Current First Aid
- Industry Qualifications (Tertiary/Skills Active/NZOIA/NZMGA)
- Ideally 2 years of industry experience either in New Zealand or overseas
- 2 x referees
- An up-to-date log book of personal and instructional experience
Contact us today
