Wilderness Family

Our Wilderness family is continuously growing and evolving with time. Unlike your traditional family, you do not have to subscribe by blood and we welcome anyone to join the fun. Our family is home to team members, clients, suppliers, neighbours and courier drivers and everyone is here because they care.

Family is an association of people who share common beliefs or activities - that is exactly what this is about. We're a bunch of like-minded people who together, create the ultimate Wilderness experience. We stick by each other through and through. If you need a hand, we lend you one and if you need a chat, we open our ears. If you need a cup of tea, we'll make you one and if you need a laugh we'll refer you to Flight of the Conchords. That's the kind of family we are.

To meet us, click on the images below or read about our past travellers on Rankers.

Georgie	Hannah Sinclair	John Managh
Mary Hamilton	Jack Williams	Robbie Vertogen

Robbie Vertogen

Born and bred on farms/orchards on the outskirts of the Garden Capital (Christchurch), has imbued me with a passion for the outdoors and all its majestic wonder. 4x4ing till the early hours of the morning, hitchhiking from the middle of the Southern Alps in the middle of winter, and becoming lost in the middle of the Hurunui District's riverbeds sounds like a typical weekend adventure. If I'm not out looking for an adventure you'll probably find me down at the local indulging in some of the sweet local brews and reminiscing about the time prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders...

"Dream as though you'll live forever, live as though you'll die today"

John Managh

"All men die but not all men truly live" - Braveheart

I love getting out and amongst it. The flavour of the month is snowboarding - We fly into Christchurch on a Friday night, into a Base Jumper and head for the mountains. (The BJ kicks butt in the snow...) The summer is about windsurfing.

I love fresh turns, hammering on the windsurfer, midnight kayaking, the team at Wilderness, fresh seafood, laughing till I cry, sausages,  adventures, telling stories about my dad and seeing people living awesome inspired lives, being silly, and my mum.

Don't love so much - smoking and pumpkin.

Georgie

You can teach an old dog new tricks...

I love chasing birds. I know I am not supposed to but I get a real kick out of it. I also love tucker, scaring the courier driver, having a cat nap in the sun. I love going camping and exploring the bush. I love coming to work at Wilderness. But what I love the most... cuddles...

Mary Hamilton

Wife to Eric - whiskey drinking mountain climber.  Mother of James, Anna, and Stella - three full on kids who love swimming, boogey boarding, and skiing.  When I'm not hanging out the laundry or cooking up a feast, I love to go bush walking with the family (favourite local walk Waiomu Kauri Grove), take the boat out fishing (favourite local spot mussel farms off Waikawau Bay) or head to the mountains with the skis on the roof rack.  We are hardy campers from way back (favourite campfire cooking creation - cheese damper washed down with an Aussie red) who love finding a quiet camp spot way off the main trail (current favourite Kaiaua Beach, 4km north of Tolaga Bay).  My kids and I just love this clip we found in YouTube.  Moral of the story - don't put your finger in baby's mouth.

Hannah Sinclair

Hey guys I'm Hannah. You wouldn't have guessed but I'm a part time shepherd, yep that's right I've got a heard of West African Dwarf sheep .  I can't think of a better way to spend the weekends than a visit to the Agrodome Farming Experience - what a sweet way to meet some farm animals. When things with my woolly mates get too extreme I like to unwind at my favourite local beach Port Waikato. Life's good here in NZ - the most gorgeous and inspiring place on earth.

Matt Whall

Robbie, myself and my little dog Chopper make up your welcoming party if you're planning on heading south.

I enjoy getting out in the backcountry of NZ  whether it be adventure riding on my KTM450exc or chasing powder turns on my skis so if you need the heads up on some primo spots, we'll point you in the right direction.

When I'm not riding my bike or in the mountains skiing, I like mowing the lawns or curling up with a good book "NOT". It's not often I find myself sitting around with nothing happening, I'm more likely to be out socialising or exploring. I'm always keen on hearing of other peoples adventures. They never fail to get me visualising and planning my next trip.

Here are a couple of my favourites sites that might help you start planning and get the juices flowing:

www.snow.co.nz, www.metservice.co.nz

Gray Borrell

I'm the dark horse in the family who is always loaded with wit and a bit of cheek. When I'm not shoe shopping, I'm looking on Trade Me for chickens.  When I'm not shopping, I'm chasing a footy ball (rugby's for girls) or running. Inspired by the song Oma Rapiti I smoked the Great Kauri Run in good time and got the gold medal. John wasn't far behind - shouldn't have stopped for the jellybeans and view at the top ridge. I have been known to sleep in the linen cupboard at work and play the odd prank in my time. 

Amanda Pelham

Late night longboarding adventures, clowning around and socialising is what I love most. I screw my nose up at bad food, arrogant people and Crocs. The great outdoors makes me smile ear to ear - especially ocean adventures, snow journeys and trips to the letterbox. Some of my favourite spots in NZ are Tiritiri Matangi, Kenepuru Sound and Whale Bay but, if the weather gets in the way, I'll be listening to documentaries, painting pictures or, reading comic books, recipe books, make-me-smarter books and oversized picture books...