AURAC 2025 COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT
Albie Thomas
The President is an executive committee member and the main representative of the club. The president oversees the committee and helps to ensure that our yearly events occur and obligations are met.
I've been climbing on and off for as long as I can remember, but climbing became my main sport in late 2021. Sport climber by heart but I do tend to reside at Northern Rocks. I'm currently in my third year of Mechatronics engineering at UOA which has made me into quite the climbing gear nerd. If you have any questions about the club, or climbing in New Zealand, don’t be afraid to flick me an email.
SECRETARY
Joni Watson
Duties consist mainly of organising and taking minutes at meetings, checking the mail box and managing communication with the university through engage. Assist/apply for University Grants. Secretary is also responsible for communicating with the club regarding AGM/SGMs and for the club records and insurance.
You’ll hear me before you see me — whether I’m chatting at the crag or screaming from the side of a rock face. I might not be the boldest climber out there, but I’m always up for tackling a good outdoor route (provided there are no slopers)! I started climbing in 2023, and since then, I’ve been improving my skills and learning to climb safely in our beautiful, natural environment. I’m excited to meet everyone and chase the fun of climbing together!
TREASURER
Marcus Findlow
The Treasurer is an executive committee member responsible for the club’s finances. This involves keeping track of the year’s financial accounts, applying for grants, making bank transactions, and reporting on the financial situation etc. This position involves heavy liaising and coordination with other committee members during decision-making processes.
I've been climbing since 2022 and loving every minute. I'm always looking to try out new things, and I love climbing because of the variety of experiences it can bring you. Whether it's getting pumped out at K-Bay or wind-blasted on Ruapehu, it's all good fun, and I look forward to bringing these experiences to more people through AURAC this year.
ADVISORY
Aidan Sarginson
Advisory is a support role that assists the other members of the committee in performing their duties. The advisory role is for members who have held several different roles on the committee over the years, so that they can use their experience to keep things running smoothly.
I started climbing in 2020 (bad year to start I know) by being introduced to it through AURAC. Over the last four years, I've learned a lot through committed friends and instructors which I now pass on to the coming generations through AURACs instructional courses. You'll find me anywhere a rock could be, from a seaside crag to the top of the tallest mountains.
ADVISORY
Berit Thomalla
Advisory is a support role that assists the other members of the committee in performing their duties. The advisory role is for members who have held several different roles on the committee over the years, so that they can use their experience to keep things running smoothly.
I joined AURAC in 2021 as a complete beginner and quickly fell in love with the sport and the community around it. I loove me some outdoor sport climbing but you'll also easily find me at the bouldering gyms around Auckland. I've held a few different roles in the committee and am just stoked I can continue to give back to the club in such a fun way :))
GEAR
Riley Smith
The Gear officer runs gear hire for the club. We have lots of climbing gear available for members for all climbing disciplines.
I started climbing a few years ago now and have grown to love the sport primarily outdoor sport and indoor bouldering but I've also extremely enjoyed my so far small mountaineering career. My goal as gear officer is to make people feel as welcome as possible to the club so feel free to send me any questions you've got especially about any type of outdoor gear, I'd love to help.
SAFETY
Leo Sbai
Safety oversees AURAC safety policies and intention system to ensure everyone is following club guidelines and practices to maintain safety on club-run trips.
Having started climbing indoors a few of years ago, I quickly grew to love outdoor climbing through AURAC. I primarily enjoy outdoor climbing (both sport and trad) and alpinism. I love teaching new people how to climb, stay safe, and respect the environment they are climbing in. In the past I have also been the AURAC treasurer (2023) and president (2024).
WALLS
Nicole Yong
The Walls officer is responsible for organising our weekly club nights. I'm looking forward to helping make club nights a welcoming environment for climbers of all backgrounds to connect and grow.
I love a lot of outdoorsy things, with climbing being up there for sure. I'd say outdoor sport climbing would be my preferred kind of climbing, from the experiences I've had over the past year or so. I think climbing's great for feeling alive and present, while also feeling super connected to the rock and earth. I've explored some craigs around Auckland, and a bit around the South Island. But definetly still quite a noob as I don't climb super often. I also enjoy snorkelling, trail running, and boardsports.
INSTRUCTION
Billy Lim
The Instruction Officer organises and runs AURAC's abseiling, anchor setting, lead climbing, and multipitch courses. They also help train new instructors who can then teach during club events and show people how to stay safe when climbing outdoors.
I've been climbing since 2019 and it’s become a personality trait for me. I’ve also been a member of AURAC since 2023 and have been contributing regularly at the club ever since. In recent years I've embraced outdoor sport climbing (despite the boulder bro allegations). I'm always looking to head to a crag whenever I can and I'm excited to share my skills with the community.
TECH
Ethan Godoy
Tech is very much a behind the scenes role. The tech officer is responsible for setting up and managing mailing lists, making information available to the club, and maintaining/developing the club website.
I started climbing at the end of 2022, and it's been an obsession of mine ever since. I love bouldering, but nothing beats a day outside lead climbing at some of the beautiful crags around New Zealand. I'm looking forward to a great year of climbing with AURAC and making great friends along the way.
SOCIALS
Robin Nowlan
The Socials officers organise social events for AURAC, giving members a chance to socialise outside of or alongside climbing. Events include pub quizzes, movie screenings, and the outdoor clubs ball.
I am an avid climber with a goal of red-pointing 28 by the end of the year. I have been climbing for 3 years doing a mix of everything under the sun. I love the multi day mission up a massive multi, summiting a peak in winter or projecting at the gym. Last year I was the secretary and I am excited to now run some fun events and get more people into climbing!
ALPINE
Aidan Kozyniak
Alpine officers are responsible for organising our popular beginners and advanced snow schools which happen every winter and overseeing our alpine gear and its distribution for club alpine trips
Natively I am a tramper, but I found alpinism in my first year at uni and since then I have descended further and further down the rabbit hole. Picking up climbing at the start of 2024 and getting much more involved in the club since then. I am looking forward to helping out with the alpine side of the club this year and look forward to seeing everyone on a mountain or two.
ACCESS & CONSERVATION
Deshma Weerapperuma
The access and conservation officer ensures AURAC has a close relationship with ACAT and landowners and ensures the club stays active in the ongoing work to maintain and care for our crags. They also help new climbers understand the importance of being a tidy-climber and navigating the rules around accessing crags.
I study a BSc in Earth Sciences (Geology) and so my appreciation for rocks goes well beyond climbing them! I have been bouldering for three years and only recently started sport climbing and it has been so exciting and fun to learn.
MEMBERSHIPS
Thomas Wright
The memberships officer's role is to ensure all members have successfully signed up, payed and been added to the club's mailing list. Any other queries about joining the club can be sent to them.
Hi! I started indoor climbing over four and a bit years ago and started outdoor climbing about 3 years ago, and I’ve loved it ever since. Joining the club has been a great experience, I’ve met a lot of awesome people and made some solid memories on trips. As memberships, I’m looking forward to helping out and meeting new climbers who are keen to get out there and climb. Whether you’re into indoor or outdoor climbing, the club is a great space to meet new people who are passionate about the sport as well.
TRIPS
Isaac Hook
Simply put, the Trips officer’s role in the club is to make sure that all the club's members get to experience some awesome climbing trips around New Zealand!
I Have been climbing for over 5 years, and as a 3rd year engineering student, if I'm not studying, you'll find me climbing. I love to get outdoors and explore our beautiful country, so I am stoked to be running the 2025 club trips as my second role on the committee. If you've got a plan you've always wanted to execute, hit me up, and we'll get it done. If not, I hope to see you in the signup forms!!
GENERAL
Toby Harvie
The role of the General officer is to assist the rest of the committee with their tasks as appropriate, and is a great introduction to a larger role within the committee
I’ve gotten into climbing over the past few years mainly thanks to AURAC. Always a fan of the outdoors, nothing gets me more stoked than being out there and I reckon climbing is one of the top ways to do that. Especially a good way to escape the business of Auckland. As general officer this year I am excited to help run the club and meet lots of new members this year.