NZSS COUNCIL
MEMBERS
Office holders of the New Zealand Speleological Society, Incorporated, are shown below.
Kip Mandeno
NZSS President
nzss-president@caves.org.nz
JOHN "OZ" PATTERSON
NZSS President
nzss-president@caves.org.nz
Kip has been on the caving scene for many decades and loves the social interaction. He brings a wealth of knowledge from caving, SAR, Safety and Health, as well rope skills.
He looks at all issues pragmatically and listens before he comments. With his well balanced style he is approachable on all aspects and assists at guiding groups in a sound and safe direction.
His involvement in the caving scene has allowed him to have a good handle on where we have come from, the present stage, and where to the future.
David Ellacott
Business Manager
nzss-business@caves.org.nz
ROD MURRAY
Business Manager
nzss-business@caves.org.nz
I started caving in my teenage years and have been lucky to have spent many an adventure hanging out with some fantastic people. There of course is the pretty stuff; the big and small stuff; the easy and sporty stuff; the wet, muddy and dry stuff; even the artsy and geeky stuff; but really it's about the people.
I cannot say that caving is my favourite thing. It might get a 5th or 6th placing. But it is bloody awesome...
Mieke Heyns
Secretary
nzss-secretary@caves.org.nz
Came for the friends, stayed for the good times, mind blowing underground spaces, the crazy formations, the unique flora and flora, and the chance to walk where no human has walked before. Why wouldn't you want to be part of protecting this subterranean wonderland?
DAVE ELLACOTT
Secretary
nzss-secretary@caves.org.nz
Anna Stewart
Research & Conservation Coordinator
nzss-conservation@caves.org.nz
ANNA STEWART
Research & Conservation Coordinator
nzss-conservation@caves.org.nz
The first time I went into a cave was to get out of the rain and have my coffee - things haven't changed much since then. Sitting around I saw lots of cool cave critters and got hooked on cave ecology and karst conservation.
My future dream is to see the Google search for 'cave beetles in NZ' and that our amazing caves and karst area are looked after and treasured as they deserve to be.
Kip Mandeno
Safety Coordinator
nzss-safety@caves.org.nz
KIP MANDENO
Safety Coordinator
nzss-safety@caves.org.nz
I have been caving since last century across NZ, with a passion for the Waitomo caves area. Much of my working life has been spread across caving, guiding, outdoor education, rope access, and volunteering in SAR. These disciplines have developed a passion for simple safety systems, that work at 2am or in the rain or in the mud.
I am here to help support the clubs, cavers, and NZSS activities, and to ensure good practice is shared across the NZ caving community.
So if you want any assistance feel free to reach out.
Lindsay Main
Information and Publications Officer
03 337 1256
nzss-information@caves.org.nz
LINDSAY MAIN
Information and Publications Officer
03 337 1256
nzss-information@caves.org.nz
I started caving quite a while ago and have been involved in a lot of cave exploration, particularly in Bulmer Cavern, and at Charleston on the West Coast. In the 1990s I held the same NZSS positions, so I haven’t made much progress in the past 30 years.
Recently NZSS has been building up its online information repository, and I’m keen to support and increase this resource. I'm also working on updating the NZSS procedure and guideline documents.
Robert Martelletti
Membership Coordinator
06 354 2088
nzss-membership@caves.org.nz
ROBERT MARTELLETTI
Membership Coordinator | 06 354 2088
nzss-membership@caves.org.nz
I started caving at the age of 16 by joining the Taranaki Caving Club. After 40 years of caving, I am still scared of heights, tight places and don’t mind the dark if I have not seen a horror movie for several months. I then became a member of the Manawatu Speleological Group and increased my diversity in karst areas and my waist line. I am generally very quiet and rather difficult to extract a conversation from, however this has not prevented me from dedicating time to a Society that has benefited me so much over the years.
Kieran McKay
Training Coordinator
nzss-training@caves.org.nz
Training you to be safely underground
Justin Hall
SAR Coordinator
021 0271 0837
An avid caver; helping home the lost, missing and injured from their adventures.
NON-COUNCIL OFFICERS
Marcus Thomas
Bulletin Editor
nzss-bulletin@caves.org.nz
Bruce Mutton
South Island Maps Officer
nzss-maps-south@caves.org.nz
Felix Collins
Webmaster & Technical
webmaster@caves.org.nz
Lindsay Main
Tomo Times Editor
nzss-tomo-times@caves.org.nz
