About Us
We are a group of dedicated volunteers who will give you the practical skills you need to have an enjoyable and safe time in the New Zealand Outdoors. All of our Instructors are experienced in the outdoors and have industry recognised qualifications.
These dedicated Instructors have real life experience which they use to provide learning from a practical perspective. All of our Instructors are passionate about giving you an experience with some tricks of the trade which you won't find online or in a book. Outdoor Training NZ has been formed by dedicated industry standard qualified outdoor Instructors who over many years have proved how important practical and theoretical instruction is before you venture into the outdoors.
Our experience shows that every person who goes through one of our quality courses will have a multiplying effect on the community we serve; this is due in part to the effect we can and will have on leaders in schools, tramping clubs, youth groups, and many other outdoor organisations. The costs incurred with our courses are kept as low as possible because our Instructors are all highly motivated, experienced volunteers who want to share their years of experience with you.
OTNZ Board
Our Board is a dedicated group of volunteers who bring a wealth of experience and a shared passion for our mission. Each member is selected for their expertise, enthusiasm , and commitment to making a difference.
Board Chair
Dr Heather Grady
Email:
Location:
Palmerston North, Manawatu
Courses:
Bushcraft, navigation, river safety, risk management, Te Mahi Ako assessor
About:
In 2015 Heather founded the Outdoor Training NZ for which she chairs the national organisation and the Manawatu branch. Heather began as a volunteer in assisting with bushcraft and first aid courses for NZ Mountain Safety Council in 2001. Over the years she has gained a number of bushcraft and first aid qualifications. In 2006 she became a Risk Management Facilitator and bushcraft assessor in 2020. She was a member Bush & Risk Management Technical Advisory Committees (2011 – 2015) and contributor to the revision of the MSC OFA and risk management manuals.
Her volunteer role in the outdoors has been recognized with the Mountain Safety Council Volunteer Award in 2013, ONZ Outdoors Excellence Volunteer Award 2013 and Te Mahi Ako Volunteer Development Scholarship 2022. In 2019 Heather received the award of UCOL Honorary Associate in part for her volunteer work as well as her involvement at UCOL where she has worked since 1994. She was made a UCOL fellow in 2013 and is currently the Academic Portfolio Manager for Primary Industries. Heather has a passion for keeping people safe in the outdoors and developing young people.
Board Member
Andrew Smythe
Email:
Location:
Christchurch, Canterbury
Courses:
Bushcraft, Navigation, River Safety
About:
Andrew has spent decades exploring the magical outdoor environments of Aotearoa, engaging in Scouting, family adventures, school trips, Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award journeys, and personal expeditions.
His passion for the outdoors drives his enthusiasm to share these experiences with others. Following the Mountain Safety Council’s restructuring in 2015, Andrew collaborated with fellow instructors to establish Outdoor Training New Zealand (OTNZ). In 2022, he joined the OTNZ Board to support and advance the work of dedicated volunteers, ensuring the continued delivery of training for OTNZ’s diverse clientele.
Andrew lives in Christchurch with his wife and two Beagles and enjoys most of his adventures in Te Wai Pounamu.
Board Member
Simon Williamson
Location:
Wellington
Courses:
Bushcraft, navigation, river safety
About:
Simon brings a wealth of experience in development, evaluation, and outdoor pursuits. He holds an MA in Development Studies and a BA (Hons) in Sociology and Anthropology. Simon’s career includes roles as National Volunteer Coordinator for Save the Children, Senior Advisor at Crown Agents, and Evaluation and Development Manager at MBIE and MFAT. From 1992 to 2005, he held consulting and advisory roles with organizations such as CARE, UNICEF, Save the Children, and Catholic Relief Services, alongside academic positions at Flinders and Monash Universities.
An avid outdoorsman with 40 years of climbing and tramping experience across New Zealand, South America, the Himalayas, the European Alps, and the Rockies, Simon has also worked as a guide in alpine walking, mountain biking, and sea kayaking. He has competed in adventure races in Australia and New Zealand.
Simon’s governance roles include Chair of the NZ Alpine Club Wellington Section, board member of Cressy House Trust, and various positions with community and development organizations. A member of LandSAR Wellington, he remains passionate about community engagement and the great outdoors.
Board Member
Gunther Hammer
Email:
Location:
Banks Penninsula, Canterbury
Courses:
Bushcraft, navigation, river safety
About:
Gunther Gordon Hammer grew up in Germany and emigrated to New Zealand in 1980. He is multilingual in German, English and French. He has been an Outdoor Education Instructor and High School Teacher. He has extensive experience and qualifications in the New Zealand outdoor sector which has led Gunther to the path of Tour Guiding, with his speciality being walking and cycle tours.
New Zealand culture, history, Maori tikanga and environmental protection are close to his heart. As an OTNZ instructor and board member Gunther is passionate about helping others to experience our unique outdoors safely.
Board Member
Belinda Cooper
Email:
Location:
Hamilton, Waikato
Courses:
Bushcraft, navigation, river safety
About:
Belinda is a High School teacher of French, German and English in Hamilton and has been involved in running the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in her school for the past 16 years, having the pleasure of being involved in the learning journey of many young women in the outdoors. She has been a volunteer with the Maungatauratari Ecological Island Trust since 2009 regularly doing a monitoring line and having the privilege of being involved with a couple of kiwi projects.
In 2019 she joined Outdoor Training Waikato, completed her ODL and then Bush 1 qualification with their assistance, and has loved giving back to the OTNZ community through teaching Bushcraft, Navigation, Night Navigation and Water Safety courses. Belinda has also completed courses through the Wananga o Aotearoa including te reo Māori, Tikanga Māori and a year-long Level 4 course in Rongoa (plants and medicine from a Māori worldview) which has really opened her worldview and enhanced her own outdoor experiences and teaching. This year she has spent three weekends upskilling – snowcraft, above alpine and ropes and takes every opportunity to get outdoors, more recently completing a number of solo multi-day tramps. The outdoors is definitely her happy place!
Board Member
Shaun Hodson
Email:
Location:
Coromandel
Courses:
Bushcraft, navigation, river safety
About:
Shaun is a newer member of the OTNZ Board but has been involved with OTNZ and its predecessor organization for many years. By day, he’s a self-proclaimed “desk wallah,” but once free, he transforms into “Bush Boy,” embracing his passion for the outdoors.
Shaun’s journey with OTNZ began after a few instances of getting “geographically challenged” in the bush, sparking a commitment to ensure such experiences are avoided - for himself and others. His mission is to help OTNZ and its branches grow stronger and continue giving back to communities.
"Keep safe and enjoy the great outdoors." - Shaun