Trish & Ali King
General and Logistics Managers
Both of us were born in Tuatapere and raised on sheep farms. We returned to the area 12years ago to purchase a local business. Ali is Vice Chairman of the Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust and is involved in many other local charitable organisations, including Board of Trustees for the local college, Ambulance, South West Endangered Species Trust and Locator Beacon Trust. Trish has a back ground in accounting and sales, and had a working break to bring up a family of two, Lewis and Tessa, now teenagers. Having sold our local business in July 2008 the opportunity arose to take on the challenge for the Trust to run the daily operations of the Track. We both have a passion for the track and "our part of paradise" and work hard to have a team that is just that "a team".
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Daman Groshinski
Operations Manager
Born in the far north & brought up around yachts on Northlands coast has ingrained a passion of the ocean & outdoors. Having a mechanical marine background has served to diversify my working background from super yachts to ski fields. Each winter we escape north to visit family and become a little self indulgent on our yacht.
Having spent two seasons on the Hollyford Track & then onto Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track I have had to make room for another passion, that being Fiordland. I have been fortunate enough to become part of the Hump Ridge Track team & am humbled by the efforts of a few very special individuals who had the foresight to undertake the inception of the track & who are still actively involved. Having met my "later to be wife" while doing my 'OE', we have since both lived throughout NZ & have fallen for what the Southwest corner has to offer.
The biggest problem I have after five years is trying to keep this place a secret.
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Graeme Scott
Wilderness Guide
Two years guiding experience, and have been instructing with the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC) for the past eight years. Raised on a NZ sheep farm, I'm born a born and breed Southlander and have the rrr's in my speech to prove it. I spent five years assisting an agricultural crop/spray contractor before establishing a photography business which still operates part time. Five year's possuming for Environment Southland saw me switch to guiding people through our spectacular bush, of which I have a love of since experiencing a school camp outing in the heart of Fiordland when at the age of 10. I've limited my 20+ years of trekking to the Aspiring, Fiordland and Stewart Island areas, most of which has been accomplished solo, but am looking to broaden my horizons. I love to bush-bash, kayak, run, click the camera shutter, and basically do anything outdoors.
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Sharon Symons
Okaka - Lodge Manager
I was born in Te Kuiti and grew up in Orewa. I have a background in Farming, Horticulture, Accounting and Office Management. More recently I have challenged myself by moving to the South Island to care for gardens and vineyards in the Marlborough Sounds. Over the past two years I have had some wonderful experiences including looking after guests on a charter yacht which took us into the beauty of Fiordland where I fished and hiked with them, returning to the yacht to prepare their meals. I enjoyed both the long walks and caring for our guests, and look forward to the new experiences that being part of the team at Hump Ridge Track will hold for me.
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Noelene Godinet
Port Craig - Lodge Manager
I was a secondary school teacher a couple of years back, my main subjects being Physical Education, Health and Horticulture. Once I finished teaching I moved to the Bay of Plenty into the Kiwifruit industry.
My keen interest in the outdoors, camping, tramping and plants came from early experiences with my father.
I also enjoy reading, classical music and sailing. I have four adult children and four grandchildren. My reason for joining the team? Its time for a solo venture/adventure in a stunning environment - I fell in love with Southland at first sight!
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Mandy Groshinski
Relief Lodge Manager & Wilderness Guide
This is now my second year with the Hump Ridge Track team and Im loving every minute of it. So when I m not on the track I work across the road from the Hump Ridge Information Centre in a wee shop called The TOHEROA Hunter, which by the way sells the best ice cream in town!! My husband Daman and I also own The Ole Manse B&B in the Tuatapere. Southland is home for us now and having traveled the world and lived in various other places through out New Zealand, we believe we have found our perfect piece of paradise with the bonus of Fiordland National park right on our doorstep.
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Kathy Harris
Relief Lodge Manager
Last season Okaka lodge was my home for summer and I still absolutely adore the place! Unfortunately I can't be in two places at one time so this season I am only there once in a while. Come and see my beautiful view - you will feel 'on top of the world' too when you come and enjoy my half mile high home. Did I mention I love hugs?
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Bobbie Brown
Marketing/Administration
I adore the outdoors and have come down to Southland to experience another part of New Zealand. I grew up on a Dairy farm in Taranaki and developed a curiosity for large machinery. From there I joined the RNZAF, trained to be an Aircraft Technician and over my career worked mainly with the Iroquois at No. 3 Squadron. I was lucky enough to be part of the 3 Squadron Maintenance team, peacekeeping in both East Timor and The Soloman Islands.
My love of travel escalated and I left the Airforce to become a Ski Patroller. Armed with a whole new bag of tricks, I went on to live in the Canadian Rockies for a couple of winters - such a fantastic lifestyle while exploring another country; I loved every minute of it!
Now I am mid way through my business studies and am continuing to develop my office skills. I am really excited to be part of another fantastic team, linking my outdoors affection with the opportunity to market and share an awesome kiwi experience with others.
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Julie Sanderson
Office Staff
Although a Cantabrian by birth, I am a Southlander at heart. My husband Sandy and I moved South 25 years ago to further our farming career, and would not look to live anywhere else.
We have a family of 5 children and are involved in various community organizations, Me, being an Ambulance officer for the last 14 years, as well as all the usual school groups etc. Sandy is on the Tuatapere Hump Track Trust and we are hoping to open boutique accommodation in our new home early next year. This is my second season with the Hump Track team and am enjoying it just as much as when I started.
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