Leadership Group

The Adventure Therapy Aotearoa Leadership Group

The ATA leadership group is made up of a team of dedicated volunteers who contribute their time and expertise to the development of adventure therapy as an industry and Adventure therapy Aotearoa as an organisation. Have a read about our team!

  • E pōkarekare ana ngā wai o Waiapu.

    Ka hiki whakarunga ki tōku maunga ko Hikurangi. 

    Kei reira wōku tīpuna e tū mārohirohi ai e mātaiho mai ki runga i a mātau ngā uri o Ngati Porou.

    Nō Te Tairāwhiti whānui awaau.

    Ko Taina McClutchie taku ingoa.

    I’m a Māori practitioner based in Tairāwhiti, working alongside rangatahi to support their reconnection to education, identity, and wellbeing through Te Taiao and Mātauranga Māori. I have a deep belief in the healing potential of nature, and I weave pūrākau, mahi toi, and whakawhanaungatanga into my everyday practice. 

    My background is in supporting rangatahi across alternative education and mental health spaces, with a focus on creating safe, culturally grounded, and transformative experiences. I currently serve as Chair of Adventure Therapy Aotearoa and am passionate about supporting its bicultural journey and collective kaupapa.

  • Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu
    Adorn the bird with feathers so it may fly.

    Ko Tu Ao Wharepapa te tawharo

    Ko Motueka te waiora

    Nō Kōtirana, Ingarangi, Wēra ōku tūpuna

    Kei Motueka ahau e noho ana

    Ko Simon Thomas tōku pāpā

    Ko Ali Comins tōku māmā

    Ko Ernest Li tōku hoa rangatira

    Ko Tawhai rāua ko Kaea āku tamariki

    Ko Anna Li tōku ingoa

    Other than being a māmā, I am an Occupational Therapist and Outdoor Instructor who integrates adventure therapy approaches into my mahi. I’ve worked around the world across diverse cultures and mental health settings, supporting people on their healing journeys.

    I’m deeply passionate about bicultural practice, intersectionality, trauma-informed care, and the reciprocal healing relationship between people and te taiao — the natural world.

    Currently, I run therapeutic outdoor adventure programs for rangatahi and tamariki, offer therapy for survivors of sexual abuse and addiction, supervise therapeutic outdoor practitioners, and provide training in trauma-informed practice.

  • Kia ora, Talofa lava, Konnichiwa

    Ko Tachibana te maunga e rū ana i tōku ngākau

    Ko Minatogawa te awa e wairea ai tōku wairua

    Ko Shingū raua ko Fukuoka te wā kainga

    Nō Hapanihi ahau

    Ko Imafuku tōku ingoa whānau

    Ko Akari tōku ingoa

    My journey alongside tamariki and rangatahi began in 2015 as an outdoor instructor, facilitating personal and social development programmes at AdventureWorks challenge course. This experience ignited a deep respect for the adventure-based approach and for those who hold space for such powerful moments of growth.

    I’m also a strong believer in the importance of being in relationship with te taiao—the natural world—not just as a source of wellbeing, but as something fundamental to who we are, both individually and collectively. This realisation has led me to train in ecotherapy and deepen my exploration in this space.

    Currently, I work at AdventureWorks as a programme manager for youth development programmes and the NZQA Level 4 Certificate in Youth Work with an Adventure and Nature-Based Approach. I’m also completing my studies in child and adolescent psychotherapy at AUT.

    I’m deeply grateful to all those who are part of this adventure and nature-based mahi. It can sometimes feel like isolated work.. but my hope is that we all continue to nurture the collective together, because this mahi is so important!

    Ngā manaakitanga

  • Ko Tiamana te whakapaparanga mai

    Ko Pukeone, Ko Tū Ao Wharepapa ngā maunga whakaruruhau

    Ko Motueka te awa o te rohe

    Ko Ngāti Rārua, ko Te Ātiawa ngā iwi kāinga

    He tangata tiriti ahau

    Ko Kate toku ingoa

    As an advocate for environmental consciousness and a devotee of te taiao, my haerenga spans over 20 years of guiding individuals and groups through connection, growth, and purpose. I began my journey in movement, yoga, and massage as ways to nurture hauora – honoring hinengāro, tinana, and wairua.

    With deep respect for Te Ao Māori, I strive to embody kaitiakitanga, recognizing our shared responsibility for Papatūānuku and all beings. My work as an Outward Bound instructor and facilitator has strengthened my belief in nature’s power to heal, inspire, and reconnect us.

    Ecotherapy has become a natural extension of my practice, weaving human wellbeing with our role as kaitiaki, and helping us rediscover our bond with the more-than-human world. I’m excited to join the Adventure Therapy Aotearoa leadership team, combining my passion for nature, belonging, and wellbeing while supporting our bi-cultural journey.

  • Ko Ingarangi te whakapaparanga mai

    Ko Taranaki te whenua tupu

    Ko Ngāmotu te kāinga

    Kei Ōtautahi au e noho ana

    Ko Steff Revell tōku ingoa

    I am a counsellor educator, supervisor and Senior Lecturer at Massey University. I grew up in Taranaki and am currently based in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

    I have a keen interest in therapeutic practices that enhance holistic health and wellbeing through relationship and connection with te taiao (nature).

    I am passionate about lifelong learning and walking alongside others to support personal growth and development. Research interests include outdoor therapeutic practices and processes that support change within counsellor education.