Working in the Outdoors Sector - Natalie McNulty

25 years old, Lead Instructor at Kokako Lodge

If you had asked my mum if I would grow up to be an Outdoor Instructor she would have laughed. She is constantly reminding me that I hated getting cold and dirty. The scary thing is there was almost a time that my dream career, one of helping others, a job that fills me with pride and never-ending opportunities was almost taken away from me.

When I chose to take part in my High Schools’ first ever Outdoor Education Programme I was pulled into the principal’s office, I was told that this class wasn’t for the “smart kids” and that I should choose something else. They even went as far as asking my parents to get me to change classes.

To be fair Outdoor Ed really challenged me. I often struggled and there were tears but through those struggles, I developed the confidence to lead groups, the resilience to keep pushing myself and an overwhelming love of the outdoors.

When I graduated school I never thought of outdoor education as a career option (perhaps because I was constantly told we are in high school to get into University) and not wanting to commit to a degree until I was certain of what I wanted. I took a “gap year” during which I worked as a Lifeguard, managed a café and sold electricity door to door in order to fund my Camp America trip.

Camp America drove home the leading abilities and technical skills I had learnt through 3 years of outdoor ed in high school, although working with American kids is a whole other ball game.

On my return I met with my outdoor ed teacher who told me about the Diploma in Outdoor Recreation Leadership at AUT University. 2 years of inspirational lecturers, amazing outdoor trips and quality placements for companies like Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre (MERC), Bigfoot Adventures, Adventure Works, Clip n Climb and even one at my old school. These gave me opportunities to get in touch with and really own my personal outdoor philosophy and hone my technical skills.

Upon graduating from AUT I spent 3 years running the adventure programme on P&O cruise ships, payed off my student loan, travelled the world, fell in love and moved back to New Zealand where I was lucky enough to work at Kahunui where they run 28-day development programmes for year 10 girls.

I now work as Lead Instructor at Kokako Lodge which has cemented for me that I am in this industry for the long haul. I am loving the opportunity to train and bring new people into an exciting industry.

I believe the outdoors has the ability to work wonders for mental health. My dream is to one day run my own programme for teens with eating and depressive disorders, using adventure therapy to teach healthy minds through healthy lifestyle and getting in the outdoors. After that who knows, the possibilities are endless.

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