Meet Our Instructors

Sophia grew up sailing and swimming in the Great Lakes of Michigan. She’s been traveling the globe since an early age. Over the past decade she has spent time backpacking, living, working, and volunteering in places like France, Haiti, Tahiti, Kiribati, Aotearoa, Australia, Belgium, and Palestine. Throughout her travels and personal experiences she developed a passion for social justice and equity. This lead her to pursue a degree in Intercultural Peacebuilding and Anthropology as well as a Master’s in Conflict Transformation.

In numerous countries she has worked as a mediator and peace educator. During her time in Haiti, she spent several years working with survivors of human trafficking as well as a number of years on O'ahu working with survivors of sex trafficking.

Sophia has been dancing since the age of 5. After moving to O'ahu ten years ago, she joined a halau (Hawaiian hula group) and has performed in festivals and luaus in Aotearoa, Tahiti, and Kiribati. She has also danced Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan, Fijian, Maori, and Tongan style dances professionally at places like the Polynesian Cultural Center and Chief’s Luau. Throughout her dancing career, she also taught dance classes to underserved youth in Haiti and Kiribati.

When Sophia is not traveling or working, she is an avid surfer, hiker, and diver. Anything that allows her to spend time in the great outdoors, especially the ocean!

Henry grew up in the capital city of New Zealand, Wellington. Growing up, Henry played plenty of sports, all of which connected him to people and the outdoors. At the age of 17, he would get his first taste of culture shock on a 2 month exchange in Munich, Germany.

Henry would complete a Commerce degree and a diploma in German Language at Otago University by visiting Germany for a final semester in Heidelberg. Following on from these travels around Europe and then Southeast Asia, Henry worked for an Insurance company in Auckland. After 3 years climbing the corporate ladder, his life changed course when he bought a one-way ticket to Latin America. Throughout the two years he spent backpacking the 'Gringo Trail', Henry balanced his time travelling by working a variety of jobs such as a barman, receptionist and nature guide, all of which changed his perspective on life.

In recent times Henry has been working in Tourism as a Team Leader on Stewart Island and at Milford Sound in New Zealand. He brings with him much experience about remote living, learning languages, making remarkable experiences and having some fun along the way.

Katie grew up exploring the vast ecosystems of Texas, scrambling around the desert, hill country, mountains and coastline alongside her older brothers. From a young age, her parents instilled a love of the outdoors, appreciation for nature, and innate curiosity to explore and learn. She became interested in all things environmental and moved to Tennessee to study Ecology, Biology and Spanish. Over the years she spent time studying or conducting research in Belize, Spain, Ecuador, Peru and Costa Rica, bridging her love of flora and fauna with her Spanish speaking skills. Upon graduating from university, she decided to shift away from research so her line of work could include her other passions: human connection, communication, science/nature interpretation, working with diverse cultural and age groups, experiential education, and community.

She has worked for years in environmental education, from the coastline of Texas to the Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California, Katie has facilitated students and adults through immersive curriculum, self-discovery and challenging perspectives. Over the past 5 years, Katie has taken students all over the world; heading out on epic adventures, diving into service learning projects, immersing oneself in culture and experience and tackling challenges while enjoying the company of others, nature and helping build self confidence, leadership skills and community.

Katie’s love of immersive education and innate curiosity has led her on many other expeditions sans students, traveling to five of the seven continents. She’s a hardy road warrior, having embarked on road trips across the United States and the entirety of Baja California. She is no stranger to delving into new experiences, cultures, and finding time to enjoy the little things in life; sharing love and laughter, a delicious meal, beautiful sights and appreciating the awe of nature and people.

Chris hails from Auckland, New Zealand. He has a background in sport science and physical education, and absolutely fizzes over any outdoor pursuits! Chris has spent the last two and a half years working and traveling around North America, currently calling Fernie (a small ski town in British Columbia) his winter home. He cannot wait to swap the snowboard boots & thermals for flip flops & boardshorts and spend some time at the beach.

Hayley grew up in Sydney, Australia on netball courts and sports fields as beaches and bush were far away from the suburbs of Western Sydney. After getting a degree in commerce, working in fundraising for charities and student success in tech education, she decided to quit full-time work and go on an open ended adventure.

She discovered her love for mountains during this time and has been chasing them since in Australia, Nepal, South America and now New Zealand. She travelled solo doing hiking adventures and Workaways where she learnt new skills in permaculture, bioconstruction and living a self sufficient lifestyle. She completed the Pure Exploration Adventure Guiding course in Patagonia where spending time outdoors everyday while learning new skills with a bunch of adventurers was an absolute dream. Her new purpose is to help people build their confidence & resilience through outdoor activities & travel since these have been the most joyful and impactful moments in her life.

Now based in New Zealand, Hayley is happiest when cooking for others, asking questions, eating bread, camping in the mountains, and listening to people’s stories. She strongly values curiosity, adventure, empathy and candor.

Hiya, I’m Erin and I’m obsessed with all things outdoors. Growing up on the beautiful central coast of California, my childhood was filled with swimming at the beach, hiking, biking and backpacking. Now living in New Zealand, I spend my free time tramping, climbing, scuba diving, bike touring and kayaking, as well as traveling when I can to South, Central and North America, Australia, and throughout Europe. I am in love with nature and everything it has to offer mentally and physically.

My love for the earth led me to pursue a degree in Environmental Science and Management where I gained a deeper understanding and respect for the environment. After graduating I moved to Auckland, NZ to begin a career as an Environmental Consultant working remotely on projects located all over Australasia. I recently took a leap and quit my corporate job of 6 years to follow my heart and pursue a career in outdoor guiding.

I moved into a van and completed the Queenstown Pure Exploration Outdoor Adventure Guide Program, earning my hiking guide and rock climbing instructor qualifications. Post-program, I’ve been working as a 4-wheel-drive guide taking people around the greater Queenstown area, having a blast meeting people from all over the world.

I have always looked up to my guides/instructors throughout my life, helping me to learn and grow as a person while having fun, and now I hope to return the favor and be that person for others. I am stoked to help create a supportive, enjoyable and fulfilling learning environment for my squad with Pacific Discovery!

Anastasia is a kiwi with a strong passion for adventure, creativity and learning new things. Ever since she was a young girl she enjoyed exploring nature, the arts and learning any new hobby or skill that caught her attention. Her nickname as a child was monkey because family and friends would always find her climbing up trees with her cheeky smile.

As an adult, Anastasia has combined her passions to become an artist, teacher and part time adventurer. She is based in Raglan at the moment and spends most of her spare time surfing! When studying to become a primary school teacher, Anastasia earned a scholarship to teach in Denmark for 6 weeks. This trip ignited her desire to travel and since then she has spent time solo backpacking or adventuring with friends in Europe, Vietnam, Rarotonga, Australia and most of all her home country Aotearoa New Zealand. Any chance she gets she's out the door so when the opportunity to become a Pacific Discovery instructor came up she knew it was the perfect job for her. She is looking forward to getting to know the students and fellow co-workers on this trip!

G’day, everyone! I’m Jack, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be one of your instructors on this incredible journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Australia and New Zealand. Over the course of this program, we’ll dive into some of the most stunning natural wonders these countries have to offer, all while honing valuable outdoor skills and deepening our understanding of the world we share.

Background: My passion for the outdoors was cultivated early on, thanks to countless childhood days spent camping, hiking, climbing, and biking with my father. Those early experiences laid the foundation for a life dedicated to adventure. An unforgettable trip to South Africa further ignited my desire to explore the world, and ever since, I’ve been steering my life towards outdoor education and adventure. I can’t wait to share that passion with you as we embark on this extraordinary program together.

Qualifications and Experience: With over 5 years of experience in outdoor activity provision, I specialize in guiding expeditions through diverse environments—much like those we’ll explore in Australia and New Zealand. Recently, I completed a bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Adventure Education in Wales, UK, equipping me with the knowledge and skills needed to help you make the most of every opportunity on this journey. I’m a certified outdoor first aider, sea kayak leader, and water safety technician, and I’ve led multi-day backpacking trips, ski-tours, rock climbing excursions, and bike-packing adventures across several incredible countries.

Teaching Philosophy: I firmly believe that the best learning happens through experience, especially in the outdoors. My teaching approach is rooted in experiential education, where discovery happens through a “trial and error” process. Throughout this program, I’ll encourage you to fully immerse yourselves in hands-on activities that both challenge and inspire. My goal is to ensure that each of you not only acquires new skills but also forms a deep and lasting connection with the landscapes and cultures we’ll encounter. Personal Connection to the Region: Australia and New Zealand hold a special place in my heart. When I first touched down in New Zealand in 2019, I fell in love with the country before the plane even landed. Australia, long on my bucket list, has lived up to every expectation and more. When I’m not guiding, you’ll often find me hiking for peace of mind, mountain biking or rock climbing for a shot of adrenaline, or chasing new experiences—like trying to master surfing, which I’m eager to tackle again this time around. Whether I’m exploring New Zealand’s national parks or enjoying a quiet evening under the stars, these experiences continually remind me of the beauty and diversity of this remarkable part of the world.

What to Expect: During our time together, you’ll have the opportunity to explore awe- inspiring environments, engage in meaningful self-reflection, build lifelong friendships, and immerse yourself in cultural exchanges. You’ll push your limits, discover new facets of yourself, and share experiences that may very well shape your future. This program is designed to be both challenging and deeply rewarding, offering countless opportunities for personal growth and unforgettable memories.

I’m incredibly excited to share this adventure with all of you. Together, we’ll uncover the magic of Australia and New Zealand, learn from one another, and create stories that will stay with us for years to come.

Sabrina grew up in the USA in a small farm town in Massachusetts before heading down to Florida to obtain a degree in Sociology and Psychology. While in college, she studied abroad in Europe and fell in love with travel and learning about other cultures. When visiting home for the holidays, she taught various grades as a substitute teacher and as an after school care counselor, where she developed a passion for working with youth.

After graduation she spent two years as a Team Leader in Americorps NCCC, leading groups of young adults ages 18-24 across the United States to assist in various national and community service projects, ranging from construction to environmental conservation. During this time she developed a passion for service, the great outdoors, and working with youth in a more hands-on environment.

Since then she has spent five summers as a camp counselor at an outdoor wilderness camp teaching canoeing, archery, and co-leading camping and backpacking trips. She had the opportunity to spend a year as a youth counselor on cruise ships, working with youth from around the world. She has also has taught English in China and was an Au Pair in Italy. Most recently Sabrina has lead two separate teen summer programs in national parks in the USA. So far she has traveled to over thirty-three countries, and aims to continue working with youth and exploring all the world has to offer.

Richard was born and raised on an industrial apple farm in the Hudson Valley region of New York, and has been fascinated with the natural world from a young age. Combined with a family history of frequent moves and wide-ranging travel, this blossomed into an academic interest in global ecology and sociology. In the course of finishing his Biology degree at the University of Central Florida, he discovered the transformative power of the outdoors and fell in love with outdoor recreation as an industry. Now he looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with students, facilitating more outdoor experiences, expanding his horizons, and ALWAYS learning something new!

Manuel was born and raised in Mexico City, where he graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering. After 10 years of experience and training in Chinese martial arts, he followed his passion and ventured to China to learn more. While in China, he also studied the language and traditional Chinese medicine.

For the past eight years, Manuel participated in many cultural exchange and volunteering programs in China, focused on experiential education in multiple leadership roles, which led him to work as a facilitator and senior program manager for The Jump! Foundation, an experiential education provided operating in China and Southeast Asia. He also worked in the adventure tourism industry as a hiking and camping guide to the un-renovated sections of the Great Wall of China, and in the service-learning industry in China and Costa Rica. Some of his passions are permaculture, holistic medicine, martial arts and meditation.