Access to Adventure was born from a shared vision among a group of passionate people, who came together in Northland to establish a permanent, locally-based accessible vessel that could provide fishing trips and much more—extending into kayaking, diving, dolphin watching, swimming, and snorkelling, even overnight trips and challenges. Access to Adventure was created to fulfil that vision.
Our Board
Our Board is comprised of passionate and highly experienced professionals from the disability, health, business, and community sectors. Together, they bring a powerful blend of lived experience, governance expertise, and strategic leadership. United by a shared vision of inclusion and empowerment, our Board ensures Access to Adventure is guided by strong governance, financial stewardship.
Trustees
Darrell Trigg
Chair
Darrell brings a wealth of governance experience in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Darrell’s journey started with managing his own Construction business with wife Marlene in Northland for over 30 years. From there, Darrell realised the value of best practice governance and became a Director of the Auckland Registered Master Builders Assn. and then on to be a Director of the NZ Registered Master Builders Association, including two years as the National President. Currently Darrell holds Directorships of several companies within the construction sector including Master Build Services Ltd, which he Chairs. Darrell has also had several roles within the local communities of Northland, including over 35 years as a Volunteer Firefighter, with 13 of those as the Chief Fire Officer of the Ruakaka Brigade.
Darrell is an energetic individual with deep connections to the community, his strengths lie in practical solutions, best practice governance and not being frightened to wade into the heavy stuff to get the correct outcome for the organisation.
Sharon Carroll
Secretary
Sharon has been the Community Liaison Manager for tlc4u2 for over two years and prior to that as Active Recreation and Community Sports Co-ordinator for Parafed Northland for almost 5 years, so Sharon brings with her a huge passion for ensuring there are as many accessible and inclusive opportunities within our community as possible.
Sharon’s extensive volunteering record includes working for organisations like Swimming Northland, Waipu Cycle and Walkway Trust, Waipu Lions and the Northland Sports Coalition. Sharon is also a member of the Sport Northland Board and more recently was appointed the chair of the Northland Sports Governance Chairs Forum. Sharon is also passionate about wellbeing and being active and wants to continue to challenge people’s mindsets around equitable and accessible access for all within our society.
Mere Patira
Trustee
Mere brings 36 years of experience in the Health and Disability sector, shaped by both professional roles and personal insight as a parent of a chronically ill and physically disabled son.
Mere began her career in Wellington with Capital Nursing and Homecare, later working at Metlifecare Retirement Village. In 2010, she returned to Whangarei, taking a role at Selwyn Park Retirement Village before joining Ngati Hine Health Trust in 2013, eventually becoming the Training Coordinator for Maiaorere.
Mere’s dedication remained strong despite a serious accident in 2015 that left her partially paralysed and reliant on crutches and a powerchair.
Her lived experience with disability informs her deep passion and practical expertise, particularly in supporting projects like the Access to Adventure Charitable Trust boat, aimed at improving accessibility for all those within our community.
Simon Davies-Colley
Trustee
Simon is a director at Northland’s largest law firm, WRMK Lawyers. Having spent over a decade practicing in Auckland before returning home to the North, he is a specialist in construction, employment and dispute resolution. Simon has been heavily involved in setting up and assisting numerous charitable trusts and organisations providing support and assistance to the disabled community, both as a trusted advisor and a trustee.
As a born-and-bred Northlander, Simon is passionate about fishing, freediving and exploring our incredible coastline. Taking people out on the boat to share those experiences creates memories that last a lifetime. Access to Adventure ensures that passion is open to all who live here.
Lee Maddox
Trustee
Based in Auckland as an owner of advisory firm FrankHQ, he maintains a strong connection to Northland and has served as a Trustee of Whangarei Youthspace for 8 years. Passionate about the benefits of time spent outdoors, he is particularly motivated to help create more inclusive opportunities for people living with disabilities. Lee brings both commercial and governance insight as well as a deep commitment to community wellbeing to his work as a trustee
The Team
Kelvin Johnson
Senior Skipper
With over 25 years of experience as a qualified skipper, Kelvin brings deep expertise and calm confidence to every voyage. He has worked across a wide range of commercial and charter vessels, including many years with Pacific Ferries, and has spent more than a decade taking passengers with disabilities safely out onto the water.
Kelvin is deeply committed to safety and takes his responsibilities as one of the vessel’s Responsible Persons seriously. His time with Maketu Coastguard has shaped his strong safety-first approach and reinforces his readiness to respond in any situation.
Kelvin is known for his excellent boat handling, professional calm under pressure, and warm, friendly manner with passengers and crew. His ability to find the fish is legendary — but it’s his dedication to ensuring every passenger feels safe, welcome, and supported that truly sets him apart.
Off the water, Kelvin is a devoted family man who loves spending time with his grandchildren — and when he gets the chance, you’ll find him on the golf course and playing softball.
Our Volunteer Crew
Our crew and volunteers are the heart of every Access to Adventure experience. Trained, dedicated, and always ready to lend a hand, they play a vital role in creating a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environment on board. All crew members and volunteers undergo a thorough induction process, regular safety training, and participate in ongoing drills to ensure the highest standards of safety and preparedness.
Beyond their technical skills, our team is there to support participants with whatever they need — from helping bait hooks and removing fish, to cutting bait, cleaning up, and filleting the catch to take home. With warmth, patience, and a deep respect for each individual’s needs, our crew and volunteers help ensure every trip is not only safe and accessible, but filled with laughter, confidence, and unforgettable moments on the water.
About Our Logo
“The smaller wave to the left-hand side represents the challenges and adversity faced at the start of your journey, the middle represents the freedom felt when there is true accessibility, which is represented by a person in a wheelchair fishing, and the larger wave represents the growth of a person and the wave like effect when people can access opportunities and adventures without limits”. – Jamie Tapp
