Mastering

Mountains

Charitable Trust

A black and white graphic with a laurel wreath, the number 10, and the text 'Celebrating 10 Years Since 2015'

Hope.
Connection.
Adventure.

Mastering Mountains supports people with neurological conditions to experience hope and connection through self-directed outdoor adventure.

A life of adventure may feel out of reach. We are here to help.

Based in Ōtautahi, Christchurch.

  • A smiling woman with glasses holding a flag that says 'Mastering Mountains' in front of a mountain lake and forested mountains under a blue sky.

    "Empowering & life-changing. I can barely hold back the tears as I reflect on how deeply I have been cared for and supported in my disability and pathway back to the outdoors journey."

    Raffaela Dragani

  • Two people in cycling gear standing on a gravel trail, holding a flag that says 'Mastering Mountains,' with a mountain bike and lush green trees in the background.

    "Mastering Mountains has changed my life – I now have goals and aspirations that I never imagined were possible."

    Jodie Leqeta

  • A woman standing on a mountain trail holding a 'Mastering Mountains' banner, wearing hiking gear and a backpack, with greenery and rocks in the background.

    "Mastering Mountains helped me accept & open up about my diagnosis, showing me that setbacks aren't the end but part of the journey - and that I can still embrace adventure in my own way."

    Steph Nierstenhoefer

  • Katy Glenie

    "I had thought that my life could no longer be full of adventures in the outdoors after my diagnosis. I now know there are so many ways to seek and find adventure."

    Katy Glenie

  • A man with sunglasses and a beard holding a sign that reads "Mastering Mountains" in front of a castle in Bavaria, Germany.

    "It was so awesome to realise that I can do all these things that I previously thought were off the table."

    Sam Smith

  • Bryce Mackenzie

    "This programme opened my mind. With a bit of help, I have achieved something that I thought I may not be able to do."

    Bryce Mackenzie

  • Kirsten Dixon

    "With the right support I can achieve more than I thought! I have shed some self limiting beliefs I imposed on myself with diagnosis."

    Kirsten Dixon

  • David Kyle

    "This has been trajectory altering, enabling me to continue MTB riding with friends and giving me more confidence about the future in terms of riding with my son."

    David Kyle

Learn more.

Katy’s story.

Gift Hope.

We’re on a mission to help New Zealanders with neurological conditions find hope and community outdoors.

Your support enables our skilled and passionate team to help a greater number of New Zealanders more easily access our life-changing programmes, resources, and community events. Your help would make a huge difference to the people who need it the most.

3% Cover the Fee

Donations over $5 are tax deductible for New Zealand tax residents.

Our Partners

Mastering Mountains is grateful for the generosity and support of these organisations. We are proud to be associated with them.

Logo for Black Diamond with two nested diamonds in black.
Bivouac outdoor logo with the slogan 'Committed to Adventure' on a dark blue background.
Brittain Wynyard Logo.png
Close-up of a collection of orange, black, and gray business credit cards, some with metallic accents and holographic elements.
MS Get a Head Start Logo

Get inspired.

Stories of Change
Thriving through Connection: Bryce Mackenzie
Thriving through Connection: Bryce Mackenzie

Bryce Mackenzie has always found meaning in the outdoors — especially when it’s shared with family. But after an MS diagnosis, years of relapses and setbacks left him disconnected from the active life he once loved. Through the Mastering Mountains Programme, Bryce set himself a powerful goal: completing a 160km cycle around Lake Taupō. With wraparound support and a committed crew beside him, he proved to himself that hope can be rebuilt — one pedal stroke at a time.

Read more →
Goals, Grit & Determination: Raffaela’s solid foundation
Goals, Grit & Determination: Raffaela’s solid foundation

Raffaela Dragani has functional neurological disorder (FND). She courageously shares her unexpected journey over the past 18 months. In particular, she talks about what it looks like to stay grounded when life shakes up your sense of stability.

Read more →
Resilience: Duncan Grant swims across the current
Resilience: Duncan Grant swims across the current

Duncan Grant has MS and talks to us about the resilience as he works towards his goal and how he’s learning to 'swim across the current': finding freedom and joy from acceptance, the willingness to change your mindset and embrace vulnerability in community.

Read more →

Te toto o te tangata he kai, te oranga o te tangata, he whenua, he oneone.


While food provides the blood in our veins, our health is drawn from the land.

- Māori whakataukī