Club Structure
Running the WTMC is a big undertaking: we have over 500 members and we generally run between 2 and 7 trips each weekend. That’s a lot of logistics, transport, gear and organisation! In addition, we have our social nights to run, our two huts to look after, our website to update, and our newsletter and journal to publish and distribute. There are many people involved in making the club work. We’ve drawn up the diagram below to help you navigate who does what. We’re always looking for more help, so please get in touch with the committee if you feel able to assist, even if only in a small way.
Our Committee
Tony Stephens, President
The President has overall responsibility for the safe and smooth running of the Club.
I’ve been a member since 2016 and it’s a privilege for me to be working with the Committee to help drive the Club forward.
You’ll see me at Club nights and out tramping!
Jon Keyzer, Vice-President
My role is to support the President, committee, and members in running a fantastic club. Since joining in 2020, I have developed a passion for all things alpine and been involved in trips and instruction of all levels and types, from day trips to Medium Fit and Alpine.
Anne de Ferron, Chief Guide
My role is to support trip leaders and punters to make sure everyone has a good time and stays safe in the hills. I also coordinate the trip schedule – if you have ideas for future trips do get in touch! I joined WTMC in 2015 – tramping regularly since, and starting to get into mountaineering.
Maarten Ruiter, Assistant Chief Guide
I have been with the club for over 10 years. During this time I have seen many corners of several Forest Parks, but there is always more to explore! I am happy to share my knowledge and get people out tramping.
Jamie Hawkins-Elder, Secretary
Kia ora, I’m Jamie, the WTMC Secretary. The Secretary supports the rest of the committee by keeping track of correspondence to the club, taking minutes at committee meetings and organising the club AGM. I’ve been tramping with the club for a few years now and I’m looking forward to giving back through serving on the committee.
Maria Noel Abdala, Treasurer
The Treasurer has a watchdog role over all aspects of financial management, working closely with other members of the Management Committee to
safeguard the organisation’s finances. I have done fantastic trips with the club which made me keen to get involved and help out this passionate mountaineering club.
James Wratt, Transport Officer
My role is to help groups get to their destination by allocating the club van and organising additional transportation where required, such as rental vehicles and ferries, and for driver vetting. I joined the club in 2018 and have been leading trips since 2019. I’m also a keen cycle tourer, having completed the Tour Aotearoa (Cape Reinga to Bluff) in 2020.
David Bakker, Membership Officer
The job title says it all – it’s about receiving new membership applications, keeping track of members’ details and handling annual renewals. Please let me know if your contact information changes, if you have a membership query or if you just have a question about the club. When I can I like to get out and look forward to meeting you on a tramp.
Sam Davis, Promotions Officer
As the Promotions Officer it is my job to make sure people know about the great trips WTMC has planned. I enjoy getting out whenever I can, whether it’s a short day trip or a multi day tramp. I’m currently at an M level but hoping to move up to harder trips soon. Feel free to say hi at the Club Nights or contact me at
(VOLUNTEER NEEDED), Social Convenor
Kia ora! I’m the Social Convenor for WTMC. If you come out to one of our Wednesday evening club nights, you’ll see me hosting our meetings and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. If you have any ideas about presentations you’d like to see at our club nights, or other social events we should run, get in touch with me. I’ve been a club member since 2019 and I love Easy-Medium or Medium trips with good views, especially of water.
Caryl Ramos, Newsletter Editor
I got into the outdoors through the club around seven years ago where I discovered the world of tramping and mountaineering in our country. I really enjoy hearing and reading about trips for inspiration. My job as the newsletter editor is to encourage members to document their awesome adventures with the club through trip reports and photos, which I then upload onto the club’s online newsletter. The newsletter is a great source of information if you are planning a trip to an area where the club has been (which is pretty much everywhere!) It is also a great way to keep up to date with the shenanigans our club members get up to when they are out in the hills. Make sure you have a look!
(VOLUNTEER NEEDED), Communications Officer
Kia ora koutou. My role is to make sure WTMC communicates all the info that our members and the wider public need effectively. That includes making sure you all know about all the opportunities on offer in and out of the hills, are inspired to get involved in Club activities and motivated by the amazing things everyone has been up to! I’ve loved every trip with the Club I’ve been over the last 4 years and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to the ‘behind the scenes’ that makes it all happen!
Juan Rada-Vilela, Technology Officer
My role as the Technology Officer is to ensure and improve the operation of our technology platform and related services so that our volunteers and visitors can enjoy a platform that is easy, fast, and reliable to use.
Sarah Fisher, General Committee and Emergency Contacts Coordinator
I have been tramping with the club since 2012. I love exploring new areas and the simplicity of escaping into the outdoors for a few days. I am also a keen runner – trail running is my thing so you will often find me running around all of Wellington’s hills on my days off or doing a sneaky 40km run before work (much to the amusement of my work). I have a strong interest in predator control to protect our native birds and maintain two traplines around my local area. I sit on the committee in a general capacity and am looking forward to helping the committee grow the club. I also have the role of Emergency Contacts Co-ordinator and have done this role for a number of years.
Brian Goodwin, Ruapehu Lodge Convenor
Tony Gazley, Lodge Promotions
My role as Lodge Promotions is to encourage club members and other groups to visit our Mount Ruapehu Lodge and from there enjoy the year round wonderland of the Tongariro National Park and all it has to offer the outdoor enthusiast.
Miles Davison – Lodge General Support
As a huge fan and frequent visitor of Tongariro National Park, since the 1970’s, I consider it a privilege to serve on the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge subcommittee. Over the years, I have been on many lodge working parties, and spent time at the lodge during the summer and winter, making use of the wonderful facility our club has to offer. I would encourage all club members to stay at the lodge, whether for tramping, climbing, biking, or skiing, or just passing through.
Andrew Esler (AJ) – Lodge Bookings
My role is to handle bookings and enquiries regarding the Ruapehu lodge, and to work with the wider lodge team and club to ensure the lodge will be an asset to the club for many years to come. I joined the WTMC in 2018 for skiing purposes, but have also explored packrafting, mountain biking and tramping with the club.
Tim Dunning – Lodge Finances
Along with the rest of the Lodge Subcommittee, I help look after the health and wellbeing of the WTMC lodge through ensuring we have the financial resources to secure the long-term future of this precious and irreplaceable privilege in the Tongariro National Park. As both a keen tramper and skier, I have been active in the club for many years and hope to be for many to come.
Other Roles
| Journal Editor | |
| Gear Custodian | Anna Spencer |
| Emergency Contacts Coodinator | Sarah Fisher |
| Family Tramping Coordinators | Beth Piggott, Richard Lyth |
| Alpine Coordinator | David Jewell |
| Trip Monies Coordinator | David Bakker |
| Paua Hut Bookings | Irina Winsley |
| Paua Hut Maintenance | Ron Canham |
| Ruapehu Lodge Bookings | Andy Styles |
| SAR | Wayne Stevens |
| Van Maintenance | Vacant |
| Van Cleaning | Vacant (DPY), Vacant (WTMC) |
| Trip Statistics | Steve Kohler |
| Mailing FMC Bulletins | Mark Pothecary, Garth Ireland |
| Sexual harassment contacts | Emily Shrosbree |
| Bullying contact | Vacant |
| Non-Committee | Vacant |
| Privacy Officer | Vacant |
Committee Job Descriptions
File attachments:
- President Role Description
- Vice President Role Description
- Treasurer Role Description
- Secretary Role Description
- Chief Guide Role Description
- Assistant Chief Guide Role Description
- Membership Officer Role Description
- Transport Officer Role Description
- Ruapehu Lodge Convenor Role Description
- Webmaster Role Description
- Communications Officer Role Description
- Gear Custodian Role Description
- Paua Hut Booking/Maintenance Officer Role Description
- Emergency Contact Co-ordinator Role Description
- Promotions Officer Role Description
- Social Convenor Role Description
- Newsletter Editor Role Description
Committee and Club Meeting Minutes
The minutes of the committee and club meetings can be found at https://wtmc.org.nz/documents/
Get Involved in Running the Club
We always need help to run the club. If you feel you’d like to help us out in any way contact us!
To become a member on the committee, complete the form attached to this webpage or email someone on the committee to get more information on what is involved. The form should be given the secretary (who can often be found at club night), or you can scan it and send it to the secretary (contact details found by following above link). File attachments: WTMC committee nomination form