The all-women team who completed the Komata Hut relocation and rebuild project. Photo: Deanna Gerlach

The wāhine job

Features, Wild women

A long-time Wilderness contributor and freelance author, Kathy writes about outdoor recreation, natural history and conservation.

By Kathy Ombler

What began as a simple hut relocation turned into so much more when a team of all-women volunteer builders met the challenge.

Have you used a circular saw?” Megan Dimozantos asked. “No,” I replied. “An impact driver?” “No, um, maybe I should just paint.” “No way, learning is what this is all about.” Project manager Megan wasn’t taking no for an answer when I turned up to join a Backcountry Trust (BCT) all-wāhine hut project on a […]

About the author

Kathy Ombler

Freelance author Kathy Ombler mostly writes about outdoor recreation, natural history and conservation, and has contributed to Wilderness for many years. She has also written and edited for other publications and websites, most recently Federated Mountain Club’s Backcountry, Forest & Bird, and the Backcountry Trust. Books she has authored include Where to Watch Birds in New Zealand, Walking Wellington and New Zealand National Parks and Other Wild Places. She is currently a trustee for Wellington’s Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust.