Kelly O’Hagan
Hello, my name is Kelly O’Hagan, I am Australian, and I live in Aotearoa/New Zealand. I am a social worker, a foster carer. I came to Aotearoa to go kayaking about 8 years ago and I have stayed. I am still not used to the cold weather. I have been working in the Adventure Therapy field of practice for over 10 years in many different organisations and programs. I enjoy connecting with young people who have challenging lives and journeying alongside them. I enjoy being in te taiao (the environment) in all sorts of different ways from canoeing and community tree planting days :) I recently attended the 10th International Association of Adventure and Nature Based Therapies (IAANT) Conference in Taiwan. I was inspired and encouraged by the International Adventure Therapy community, and I wanted to be a part of it. I am now on the Communication Working group with IAANT. I look forward to connecting Aotearoa with the International Adventure Therapy community. The next IAANT conference will be in Ireland in 2028, we hope that many from Aotearoa will be there.
Meg Ryan
Meg Ryan is a Counsellor with almost 20 years of instructional experience in the outdoors. She is passionate about weaving together therapeutic practice and adventure, and is motivated by understanding the needs of individuals and communities, walking alongside them towards lives of wellbeing. For the past six years she has contributed to the ĀTA leadership group in Aotearoa New Zealand, and now steps into the role of International Representative, strengthening connections between adventure therapy practitioners locally and globally. Meg brings a grounded and relational approach to her work, informed by her practice as a counsellor and her deep love of the outdoors. Outside of work, you’ll find her running trails, paddling rivers, and adventuring with friends.