Simon – Survival Training Instructor
Simon is an ex-Royal New Zealand Air Force Senior Survival Training Instructor. He has completed several international Air Force Combat Survival Courses as well as Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Escape Training. Simon has experienced Jungle training in Australia, Fiji and Malaysia. Alpine courses were completed in New Zealand’s beautiful national parks.
Simon worked with the Royal New Zealand Navy on Sea Survival. He has worked extensively in all New Zealand bush environments. As one of the first Senior Trainers for the RNZAF Survival Training Centre, his expertise in various survival situations was put to the test in several overseas deployments.
After leaving the Air Force, Simon followed his love of teaching and became a Primary School Principal. His other experiences in life include time as a stockman in the outback of Australia and a professional hunter in the Northern Territory of Australia.
Simon enjoys exploring the New Zealand forest, hunting and fishing, scuba diving, and small-scale farming. Simon is keen to combine his passion for survival and his passion for teaching through showing other people the way.
Mieke – Disaster and Emergency Management Specialist
Mieke is passionate about people’s resiliencies and abilities to cope with challenging situations. Years as a registered trauma counsellor gave her plenty of insights into human behaviour and traumatic situations. She firmly believes attitude, knowledge and confidence are key factors in getting through even the toughest of circumstances.
Mieke was a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Emergency Management for over ten years, having published several articles and presented at international conferences, Mieke now thrives being a primary school teacher, freelance writer and researcher. She also enjoys self-sufficiency, foraging for edible wild food, sharing knowledge with like-minded people and helping her children to create a better world.
Alexandra – Microbiologist
Alexandra is a passionate microbiologist-in-training with a deep commitment to survival skills and sustainable foraging. Having grown up immersed in the wilderness and mentored by Simon himself, Alexandra has spent her life learning the art of thriving off the land. She developed a profound understanding of how microorganisms interact with the natural world and how this knowledge can be used to enhance survival and foraging techniques.
Currently working toward her degree in microbiology, Alexandra combines her academic studies with real-world experience, giving her a unique perspective on survival in the wild. Her expertise focuses on the microbiological aspects of food safety, natural purification methods, and the safe identification of beneficial and harmful organisms in the wild—ranging from bacteria to wild plants and herbs.
Alexandra offers a fresh, hands-on approach to survival training, emphasising how understanding the unseen world of microbes can make the difference between thriving or struggling in the wilderness. Whether it’s using fermentation for food preservation, identifying medicinal plants, or purifying water with natural methods, Alexandra’s practical knowledge will teach you how to navigate the wild with confidence and safety.