Founder and Managing Director:
Karla Roberts
Karla holds a number of professional qualifications and has extensive experience working with people with disabilities in outdoor education. Karla started Learn Active as an extension to the Duke of Edinburgh award she was running at a special education school and has developed Learn Active into a full-time, sustainable organisation.
Qualifications gained: Diploma in Recreational Leadership, Diploma in Adventure Guiding and Instructing, NZOIA Rock 1, NZOIA Bush 1, National Raft Guide Grade 2
Instructor/student support
Shannan Pauling
Shannan has been working with people in the disability sector for over 8 years, largely focused on group-based programmes built around goal achievement and well-being. Her passion for the environment and its relationship to health, coupled with a background in multiple outdoor pursuits, has brought her to explore the possibilities here at Learn Active.
Qualifications gained: Level 4 Health and Wellbeing – Community Facilitation, Certificate in Outdoor Recreation, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
Lead Instructor
Sophie Richards
Sophie grew up on a family farm in mid canterbury, where she spent a lot of time outside on the farm and up in the mountains skiing. Along with skiing, Sophie has many other hobbies, such as mountain biking and trail running, that keep her enjoying the outdoors as much as possible. She has spent the last few years working around New Zealand as an instructor and guide, which has allowed her passion and skills in the outdoors to grow. She continuously encourages and inspires those around her to get outside and loves being able to share her passion for the outdoors with others.
Qualifications gained: Diploma in outdoor instruction and guiding 2019, NZOIA Bush 1, NZOIA Rock 1, NZOIA kayak leader, National Raft Guide Grade 2
Lead Instructor
Hollie Walton
Hollie has come to Learn Active with a range of experience from working in a trade, as an early childhood teacher and has trained as an outdoor education instructor. She has always found the outdoors and pursuits to be of huge benefit to her mental health and well- being and believes it important that everyone can have the opportunity to access the outdoors and different pursuits too.
Hollie values making connections with people and helping them progress with their goals.
Qualifications gained: Bachelors in Sustainability and Outdoor Education, NZOIA bush leader, NZOIA rock leader, Irata level 1 rope access, Certificate in Teacher Aiding
Part time Instructor/Lead Instructor
Briar Schacherer
Much of Briar’s upbringing was spent on ski slopes and exploring nature on horseback, in turn installing the felt benefits of how outdoor experiences can support wellbeing. Her passion for people and nature first came together by working as a ski instructor, she has most recently upskilled through an outdoor education degree. Briar is ready to extend and apply herself in supporting students to foster connections and positive experiences
Qualifications gained: Bachelors degree of Sustainability and Outdoor Education, NZOIA Bush Leader, Swiss Snowsports Kids Instructor.
Part time Instructor
Bronte Thomas
Bronte enjoys sharing her knowledge and teaching people new
skills in the outdoors. This is fueled by her love of the environment and implements many of her hobbies including kayaking, tramping, rock climbing and sustainability practices into her work.
She understands the benefits outdoor pursuits can have on people, especially those with disabilities and wants to support students to gain these benefits through facilitating the development, personal growth, new experiences, and learning here at Learn Active,
Qualifications gained: Bachelors degree in Outdoor Education and Sustainability, NZOIA bush leader, NZOIA rock leader, PADI Open Water Scuba Certificate
learnactive.co.nz 