Meet the Owners

Alan & Sarah

Alan & Sarah and their team of guides have been training, inspiring and guiding people in New Zealand outdoors for over a decade. In 2012 they founded OENZ-Outdoor Education New Zealand, an organization that delivers and supports the outdoor education sector throughout New Zealand. Launching Adventure by Nature in 2019 was an exciting step in their journey to creating a hub for outdoor experiences in Christchurch. With their two children Lucy and Max, they enjoy living nestled amongst the native bush in Governors Bay. The only thing they love more than being in the outdoors is sharing the experience with others.

Alan Haslip

Alan Haslip

Growing up in Auckland Alan spent his youth, Sailing, surfing and exploring the North Island of New Zealand.

After a stint working in the family automotive business, he spent a few years travelling overseas to some of the less-travelled parts of the world. Eventually, he ended up studying in Christchurch, and he never left. He says “why would you live anywhere else! It’s close to the mountains, it’s got amazing rock climbing, great surf beaches, and a stunning harbour, what more could you want; I’ve been incredibly lucky over the past ten years and have guided people all over the world, and I still think this place is pretty special.”

Qualifications & Experience

Alan has a degree in Adventure Recreation and Outdoor Education. He holds certification with NZOIA (the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors and Guides Association) in Bush, Rock, and Alpine disciplines. When Alan’s not at work, you can find climbing at the local crag, in the mountains or hanging out with his family.

 

Sarah English

Sarah English

A local girl through and through. Sarah spent her childhood in Christchurch and then moved to North Canterbury with her family as a teenager. The outdoors lifestyle was introduced to her in high school and she has followed her passion for guiding and educating people in the outdoors ever since. Sarah says ” I love working with people and sharing in their adventures, especially when I have the opportunity to create something unique for them along the way”.

Qualifications & Experience

She has completed a Diploma in Adventure Guiding & Instructing as well as a Degree in Adventure Recreation and Outdoor Education. Sarah has travelled and explored most of the UK and Europe. She has also guided numerous overseas trekking expeditions in developing nations.

Sarah holds NZOIA (New Zealand Outdoor Instructor & Guides Association) certification in Bush, Rock, and Alpine disciplines. When she’s not working, enjoys trail running, mountain climbing, and spending time with her family.

Meet the rest of our guides

Nathanael Sage

Nathanael Sage

Before working with Adventure by Nature, Nathanael was a Senior Sea Kayak Guide and Rock Climbing Instructor in Wellington and Lead Sea Kayak guide in Abel Tasman National Park as well as a glacier guide at Fox Glacier. Passionate about all things outdoors.

Qualifications & Awards:

Certificate in Outdoor Education, Tai Poutini Polytechnic, 2013. Diploma in Outdoor Instructing and Guiding, at Tai Poutini Polytechnic, 2014. NZOIA Rock Leader, NZOIA Abseil Leader, NZOIA Rock1, NZOIA Bush Leader, NZOIA Sea Kayak Leader, PHEC first aid, New Zealand Drivers License Class 1.

Nathanael is currently working overseas in Canada. We wish him all the best in this experience and look forward to him returning to work with OENZ when he gets back to NZ.

Dee White 

Adventure guide

Dee White

You could describe Dee as a happy adventurer from the alps to the ocean. If you bumped into her, she would be Kayaking or carrying a pack into the mountains. She has been working with Adventure By Nature since returning to work in the outdoors in 2018 after five busy years with her young family.

Qualifications & Awards:

Diploma in Adult teaching, NZOIA Alpine1, NZOIA Bush1, NZOIA Rock1, NZOIA Kayak1, First Aid Certificate, Class 1 Drivers Licence.

 

 

Mike Barber

Mike has been working with Adventure By Nature &  OENZ- Outdoor education New Zealand (our sister Company) since 2019. 

Qualifications & Awards:

Adventure Guide

Mike Barber

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