MEET THE TEAM

This is your Team Member description. Use this space to write a brief description of this person’s role and responsibilities, or add a short bio.

This is your Team Member description. Use this space to write a brief description of this person’s role and responsibilities, or add a short bio.

My names Tyla. I’m from Taranaki and grew up in a small rural town called Toko under Mt Taranaki. My family & I are big into the outdoors - horse trekking, hunting & fishing. Being outdoors has been my life, and always had a great appreciation for the mountains, forests & sea. 

After living overseas for 9 years, it was time to come home and get back to my roots, so I studied and gained a Certificate in Pest Operations (level 3) at the Western Institute of Technology in Taranaki, learning conservation and pest control, running trap lines out in the back country, explored the back areas of New Zealand, tracking and relocated kiwi, learnt in depth about history in regards to plants, animals, insects, significant people and townships.

After I finished at Polytechnic, I packed up my truck and made my way down to Franz Josef to use my skills and learn about the environment here, the people, culture and history of the area. It’s been an amazing journey so far and love sharing the knowledge I’ve learnt with the people who come on the tours.  

My hobbies are climbing mountains, fishing and a spot of hunting.

with a Certificate in Pest Operations (level 3) at the Western Institute of Technology in Taranaki NZ.

Petra is a Kiwi girl who has just arrived back in NZ from working as a Activities Co-ordinator for Underwater Africa in Mozambique. This involved diving, snorkeling & kayaking expeditions, organising & joining volunteers on research projects with humpback whales, coral garden expeditions, mangrove monitoring projects, educational projects, as well as giving research & conservation seminars.

She is expert on all things bird & animal related, having a Bachelor of Science majoring in Zoology & Marine Science, and a post-graduate diploma in Wildlife Management. Petra has worked for NZ Forest & Bird in the Caitlins, monitoring in particular Mātātā /fernbirds, as well as blue penguins, bitterns, long-tailed bats, forest geckos & south island robin (all that we have here in Ōkārito!).

Jake is a Kiwi boy who has a Diploma in Outdoor Instruction & Guiding at local Tai Poutini Polytechnic in Greymouth. He has been a raft guide, sea kayak guide, done predator control & conservation work as well as been an Outward Bound instructor.

In his spare time he enjoys mountain biking, kayaking, surfing, playing guitar, tramping/hiking or working on a creative project.