NZAC Staff
NZAC employs six National Office staff who work for the Club on nationwide operations, alongside work done by volunteers at Section level. The staff are a mix of full and part time; Karen, Marie and Tom are full time, while Jess, Gregg and Lisa are part time.
Karen Leacock
Kia ora, I’m Karen. I am the General Manager at the Club, which essentially means I do a little bit of everything! I reckon it might be one of the most varied jobs out there—from discussing accommodation assets to making submissions on conservation law, no two days are ever the same. Officially, I am in charge of managing the central operations of the Club, from our base in Christchurch.
My favourite part of the Club is the passionate people that I get to meet. Every member, volunteer or partner has an energy for climbing and the outdoors, which is contagious!
I am also studying for an MBA at the University of Canterbury, and have a 4 year-old, who is full of life’s big questions. I enjoy gardening (as long as you can eat it), riding my bike and walking in the hills. My adventures are mostly family-friendly now, but being outside is still really important to me.
I am based at the Home of Climbing in Christchurch.
Marie Hessey
Kia ora, my name is Marie. I am the Club Administrator. I help keep the club running mostly behind the scenes. My role covers a bit of everything from managing memberships, responding to hut booking queries, keeping our online shop in order and sending out your orders, emailing out club communications and looking after our social media.
I enjoy connecting with members. I get to support members gaining new skills by being lodge master with the Canterbury Westland Section Basic Snowcraft Courses and support our longer serving members by attending Mature Mountaineers meetings in Christchurch, even if I don’t technically qualify as one myself!
Cycling and tramping are two of my favourite ways to recharge and enjoy the outdoors.
I am based at the Home of Climbing in Christchurch.
Tom Hoyle
I work as NZAC's Publications Editor and Designer. This means I am responsible for the New Zealand Alpine Journal and our many print guidebooks, as well as feature content on our website and digital information resources like ClimbNZ and the NZAJ Online Archive.
Each publication is a project in its own right and they each have their own character, keeping my life interesting as deadlines come thick and fast. I enjoy working with the many climbers who contribute their time, knowledge and expertise to Club publications, without which our publications wouldn't exist.
As a dedicated climber of more than two decades experience, I also involve myself in access work, as required.
Every now and then I still go climbing and I'm lucky enough to be based in Wānaka.
Jess McLachlan
Kia ora, my name is Jess. I am the Events Coordinator at the Club. I work with Club volunteers and staff to organise national events such as the New Zealand shows of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, the National Indoor Bouldering Series, NZAC Photographic Competition, Wānaka Crag Fest, NZAC book launches and other club events.
I’ve spent over 20 years in a climbing-focused household and have a deep connection to the mountains, even though I haven't touched an actual rock for a long time - my movement world is swing dancing, which I’ve pursued at a high level in Aotearoa and Internationally for many years. I bring more than a decade of experience delivering corporate events and community programmes, with a strong focus on building relationships and supporting the people who make events meaningful. Joining NZAC genuinely feels like coming home, and I’m especially excited to be working closely with the community, being on the ground, and helping turn the often unseen work behind the scenes into welcoming, memorable events. Outside of work, I spend my time walking in the hills, tending a large vegetable garden and cooking elaborate feasts for friends and whānau.
Gregg Beisly
I’m Gregg and my role is largely around instruction. I organise the National Instruction Programme courses, the Wanaka Crag Fest clinics and support section instruction. Also the professionally-led courses at national level and those run through the sections under DOC concessions. I make the applications for those concessions and keep up with the requirements of them.
I maintain and develop the Safety Management Systems for instruction and more recently I'm developing safety systems and resources for trips.
I’m still a bit of a climbing bum whenever I can be and love getting onto the rock and into the mountains with friends, my kids and Sal. Hopefully I’ll see you out there.
I am based in the thriving southern metropolis of Lumsden.
Lisa Wang
Kia ora, my name is Lisa and I am the Accountant at the NZAC. My responsibilities include daily book keeping, processing and issuing invoices, making bank payments, and completing accounting tasks as required. I also file GST and RWT returns to the IRD and prepare monthly and annual financial reports and, as well as assist with forecasting and budgeting for the club.
It’s a privilege to work collaborate with various stakeholders. This position involves a full range of accounting duties and requirements. The work is varied and requires many accounting skills and paying attention to each transaction.
In addition to my professional responsibilities, my interests include reading, watching movies and TV series, and gardening.
I am based at the Home of Climbing in Christchurch.