About Us

Peel Forest Outdoor Pursuits Centre (PFOPC) is a registered charitable trust that runs outdoor skills training, outdoor recreation and education programmes.

Our team of qualified instructors are highly trained with NZRA and NZOIA qualifications among others, and they are dedicated to ensuring you have a quality outdoor experience, high on adventure & fun and truly memorable. We have many years experience and are proven leaders in our field.

We have a passion for the environment in which we work and and are committed to providing outdoor environmental programmes that challenge and inspire people. Programmes are developed in consultation with you, the client.

You can discuss with us the activities and the length of programme. Video and dvd facilities are available at our office base.

Our Staff

Andre Schoneveld

Andre has been Director at Peel Forest OPC since 2008, and prior to that was the Assistant Director at the TSB Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits and Education Centre for 8 years.
A trained teacher, with an engineering background, Andre has worked professionally in the Outdoors for over 15 years. In this time he has worked with adults, youth at risk, school students and both the NZ Army and Royal New Zealand Navy. Andre’s qualifications include NZOIA Bush 2, Alpine 1, Rock 1 and Cave 1. He also holds Avalanche 1, Senior Raft Guide Grade 3 and Pre-hospital Emergency Care qualifications. In his spare time, Andre tries to keep up with his two young daughters and enjoys skiing and quiet nights in front of the fire.

Nathan ‘Reefton’ Topp

A graduate of Tai Poutini Polytech, on the West Coast, Nathan is a dedicated rafter and kayaker. He has spent the last six summers at Peel Forest, while his winters have been spent at exotic spots such Canmore (Canada), Northern Queensland (Australia) and Hong Kong. Nathan holds Grade 4/5 raft guide qualifications and is our Senior Instructor.

Jenny Hanser

Jenny also graduated from Tai Poutini Polytechnic and has worked at Peel Forest for the past four years. She is an adventure based learning guru, as well as being a qualified raft guide and is a keen tramper and climber. Jenny has worked at ski fields, on farms, in pest control and is a general all round good sort.

Marlow Stanton

A dedicated paddler, Marlow holds NZOIA Kayak 1 and is our lead kayak instructor. When not hanging out on the river or at Peel Forest, Marlow can be found working with the National Outdoor Leadership School in both New Zealand and the USA. Marlow also holds Grade 2 Raft Guide and Challenge Ropes Course Supervisor qualifications.

John Hooker

A long time Peel Forest OPC staff member, John is based in Methven with his partner and daughter. An all round outdoors man, John holds NZOIA Kayak 1 and Grade 3 Senior Raft Guide awards. He spends his winters ski patrolling at Mount Hutt, where he has been in charge of the snow safety program.

Ben Corcoran

Ben spends winters running a ski field and patrolling and summers keeping all the Peel Forest staff’s technical rope skills up to speed. He holds NZOIA Alpine 2 and Rock 1quailications, as well as Avalanche 1 and is a NZMGA Hard Ice and Alpine Trekking Guide . In his spare time Ben works on house plans for an amazing tree house set in the native bush of Peel Forest.

Karen Corcoran

Karen ‘Kaz’ is also an alpine and bush specialist, and extreme ski patroller. She lives in Peel Forest, when her work isn’t taking her to the Catlins, West Coast or the Southern Alps. Kaz holds NZOIA Alpine 2 and NZMGA Hard Ice and Alpine Trekking qualifications, as well as Avalanche 1.

Rowan ‘Rowie’ Larcombe

Rowan is a local girl, who grew up on Mesopotamia Station. She has completed the Geraldine High School outdoor education course and is a qualified Grade 2 Raft Guide.

Slee Larcombe

Another of the international rafting and kayaking fraternity, Slee has paddled throughout New Zealand and Scandanavia. Slee grew up on Mesopotamia Station in the Upper Rangitata Valley and is a font of local knowledge. He is a Grade 4/5 Senior Raft Guide and is a keen hunter of pigs, deer and tahr.

Marie ‘Muzz’ Finch

Muzz graduated from the Christchurch Polytechnic Outdoor Education course. She is a Grade 3 guide and is working towards her Grade 4/5 raft guiding qualification.

Veronica ‘Roni’ Carroll

A North Islander who spends her summers in the South, Roni is a Grade 2 Raft Guide.

Alan Sarten

A dairy farmer by trade, Alan manages the EcoLodge and fits in some instructing as well. He holds NZOIA Bush I and Raft Guide awards. Alan can always be depended upon for a corny joke