David Le Pelley

Director

Born in the UK, David moved to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2001 and spent 15 years working at the Univeristy of Auckland in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Part of his work involved supervising undergraduate students undertaking design projects.

Over the years, he noticed a steady decline in tertiary students' practical skills and their ability to visualise solutions in three dimensions. At the same time, he became involved with Steiner education and found kindred spirits in the Outdoor Classroom of the local school.

David has been a Scout leader since 2013, and set up two Duke of Edinburgh's Award units. He is a registered teacher specialising in technology.

As a keen craftsman and engineer, David is well skilled in primitive technologies, building structures, navigation and bush survival. He has spent many years undertaking complex EOTC risk management for many organisations, and has excellent project managment skills.

Hobbies include sailing, climbing, tramping and most other outdoor pursuits.

Master of Engineering
Grad Dipl. Secondary Teaching (Technology)
Outdoor Classroom Experiential Learning course 2022
First Aid with Outdoor Emergency Management
Royal LifeSaving Society Distinction Award

Kate Le Pelley

Co-Owner

Kate was also born in the UK, and taught Design and Technology there for 3 years. She and David have been married for 24 years.

Keen to learn other skills and get some wider experience, Kate moved into IT project management which she did in the UK for 3 years and in NZ for a few years before having children.

With their own children getting ready to fly the coop, Kate is using her design skills on freelance Graphic Design projects and supporting Rangimarie Bush Centre.

Kate has taught art, design and drawing to both children and adults. She is running the artisan workshop programme at Rangimarie Bush Centre.

BA (Hons) Product Design
PostGrad certificate in Education (Design and Technology)
First Aid at Work