Gemma facilitates professional learning in Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) Management and is the lead facilitator in this team. This work focuses on both the importance of learning and health and safety. She also provides bespoke support to schools in developing and reviewing their EOTC systems.

She has been involved in the writing and review of all the editions of the Ministry of Education EOTC Guidelines since 2002 and led the development and facilitation of the PLD workshops to support these. Gemma also responds to any questions EONZ receives regarding EOTC management.

Gemma has extensive experience in supporting schools to design and deliver outdoor education programmes that are accessible and inclusive for all students, prioritising teachers as leaders and using a place responsive approach.

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Libby has a long career in education, starting in primary and secondary teaching before moving to the tertiary sector.  She spent sixteen years developing PLD experiences and in-school one-on-one support, across the schooling sector, mainly involved in, but not limited to, the HPE learning space.

Libby has been both a facilitator and creator of PLD packages that are structured from an Inquiry perspective that are responsive to teachers’ needs and that of their akonga, based on evidence and research.

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Sophie provides Local Curriculum and EOTC PLD for schools and education organisations. 

She is passionate about supporting schools to develop local curriculum that is innovative, place-responsive, and student-centred. Sophie also has expertise in EOTC management, outdoor education, and gender equity. She led the development of ‘Going with the flow’, a multi-media resource that supports schools and outdoor centres to embed gender-inclusive practices into outdoor experiences.

Sophie offers co-designed PLD and support that is responsive, engaging, and interactive. As well as being a creator and facilitator of PLD, Sophie is an educational researcher and has a Master of Education. She uses research, evidence-based practice, and her experience as a secondary school teacher and middle leader, to inform her approaches.

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Sophie provides curriculum support and EOTC and outdoor education advice for kaiako. She has worked in the role of Kaiārahi since 2018 and is also a secondary teacher of outdoor education.

Sophie has expertise in curriculum design that brings a modern approach to outdoor education. She loves working with kaiako to help them identify what works best for their ākonga and engages them with local places. She is passionate about helping people find solutions, as well as making strong connections and networks where kaiako can find support from each other. 

Sophie has been involved with the NCEA change programme as part of the Outdoor Education Subject Expert Group and is excited to be involved in delivering quality PLD for kaiako on this subject.

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Papaki kau ana ngā tai ki Mauao i whakanukunukuhi i whakanekenekehia i whiua reretia e Hotu a Wahinerua ki te wai ki tai wīwī ki tai wāwā ki te whai ao ki te ao mārama tihei mauri ora.

Ko Amorang Shang Apaapa ahau he uri ano tēnei nō Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui, Raukawa, Ngati Tangata.

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Sandra facilitates professional learning and development in EOTC focusing on embedding robust policy and procedures, along with the importance of learning and health and safety. She also provides support to schools in developing and reviewing their EOTC systems.

Sandra has a broad background within the secondary sector, holding various roles ranging from Physical Education and Outdoor Education teacher, Head of Faculty, and Senior Leadership.

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Sue is a respected outdoor education consultant specialising in safety management. With extensive experience in New Zealand's outdoor education sector, she has played a key role in developing industry standards and qualifications designed to empower outdoor educators and adventure professionals. Sue’s expertise in safety audit management and her in-depth understanding of sector safety standards make her a trusted advisor in ensuring current best practices and compliance.

Sue's role is to support the development and review of school EOTC safety systems. As a facilitator, her practical approach and ability to design and deliver tailored sessions for diverse audiences ensures impactful outcomes. Known for her collaborative and open style, Sue fosters positive review processes and provides clear, actionable pathways for improvement.

An avid outdoor enthusiast, Sue regularly engages in mountain biking and skiing, deepening her connection to the industries she serves and reinforcing her passion for fostering safe and meaningful outdoor experiences.

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Mike Brown holds a fractional appointment as Associate Professor of Outdoor Learning at AUT. He has written on place-responsive approaches to teaching and learning and has a particular interest in learning in marine environments. He has drawn on the work of Australian academic Andrew Brookes to develop the Fatality Prevention Mindset workshops. He holds commercial maritime qualifications and is involved in sail training through the NZ Sailing Trust. 

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Jonathan provides EOTC PLD for schools and education organisations.

Originally from Scotland, Jonathan has worked in outdoor education across primary, secondary and tertiary contexts in the UK and New Zealand. He has a passion for interweaving formal education into the outdoors with a particular interest in place-responsive pedagogy and practice. He has a Master's degree in outdoor education and a PhD in outdoor learning and has published research on place-responsive outdoor learning and the use of digital technologies in the outdoors. Jonathan draws on current national and international research to inform his practice and work as an outdoor educator and facilitator.

Jonathan really enjoys facilitating PLD that people find useful and works hard to ensure participants leave with practical ideas or workable concepts for their practice.

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Jane is passionate about place and culturally responsive approaches, active learning strategies, and connecting with people and places through outdoor activities. She has a background in outdoor education and enjoys providing opportunities for ākonga to learn through, and about their significant places. In her spare time Jane paddles waka ama, rides her mountain bike, and walks up her favourite maunga while connecting with her favourite people and places in both the Bay of Plenty, Te Tau Ihu, and the South Waikato. 

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Ko Mahuhu ki te Rangi te waka 

Ko Tūtamoe te maunga 

Ko Kaipara te moana 

Ko Wairoa te awa 

Ko Ngāti Whātua me Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa nga iwi 

Ko Te Houhanga te marae 

Ko Keanu Townsend ahau 

Keanu is an Outdoor Education professional development facilitator who focuses on incorporating Mātauranga Māori into Outdoor Education. Keanu has been working with Education Outdoors New Zealand for the past 2 years, hosting & facilitating wānanga in Tauranga Moana, Northland, and Tāmaki Makaurau.

Keanu has a background in secondary school teaching, Māori arts, and Polynesian Voyaging.

Keri Barnett is part of the EONZ EOTC review team. She has been involved in the outdoors for 35 years in both education and instructing roles. Keri has held a number of positions of responsibility and been involved in education initiatives both nationally and internationally. She is passionate about the outdoors as a place of learning and growing.

Her strengths lie in program development and implementation. She values the opportunity to collaborate and learn alongside others. She is well connected in the outdoor community and believes in a collective approach to strengthening our practices in the Outdoors.  

Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou -  Seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing.

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Sarah has been involved with students in the outdoors for many years both as an outdoor instructor and a teacher organising and running camps.  Currently working in a high school and she has in depth knowledge and skills in Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC), outdoor education, and HPE. She enjoys taking students to new places that are local to them and connecting with place. On a personal level the water is her happy place!

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