WHAT is wild chix?
At Wild Chix, we're more than just an outdoor community - we're a movement. We empower women by fostering a supportive environment where knowledge is shared, skills are honed, and confidence is built.
Our philosophy is simple: women teaching women. We create a safe, judgment-free space where curiosity is celebrated, and every question matters. We're here to break down societal barriers and inspire women to pursue their passions - whether that's hunting, fishing, marine science, or any adventure that makes their heart race.
We believe in empowering women to be badass, confident, and unapologetically themselves. Through education, camaraderie, and a whole lot of fun, we're changing the narrative in male-dominated industries, one incredible woman at a time.
meet the team
Meet the Founder
Isabell is an outdoorsy woman, originally from Germany and now proudly calling New Zealand home. She has spent almost a decade working in the marine industry, building a strong connection to life on and around the water.
A few years ago, she stepped into the world of hunting — and hasn’t looked back since. Now an avid hunter, Isabell thrives on the challenge, the continuous learning, and the deep connection to nature that comes with it.
In 2023, she saw a clear gap. Too many women were sitting on the sidelines — lacking confidence, unsure where to start, or simply not given the right environment to learn. So she created Wild Chix: a space where women can step in, give things a go, build real skills, and grow their confidence in boating, fishing, and hunting.
Because sometimes, the best way to learn… is surrounded by other women, having a laugh, backing each other, and just getting stuck in.
Isabell
Meet the TEAM
Shanel
Meet Shanel, an incredible mum of 3 in her late 30, who lives and breathes the ocean.
Her list of qualifications is seriously impressive: Marine Scientist, Skipper, Radio Operator, Marine Mammal Medic, Emergency First Responder, Coastguard Search and Rescue trained, Patrol Skipper for Bay of plenty regional council Harbourmaster team, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, and one of New Zealand's first PADI Professional Mermaid Instructors.
Shanel holds women's hands on their journey with Wild Chix, teaches and empowers them to take the helm in several courses and seminars.
Katie
Originally hailing from the United States of America, Katie has called Aotearoa home for the last 13 years. As a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef & PADI Dive Master, Katie spent several years working and diving in the Caribbean Islands before moving to New Zealand.
She has recently discovered the incredible thrill of hunting and is full steam ahead on her hunting journey with the Wild Chix. Implementing a paddock-to-plate mentality in her cuisine, Katie loves to explore the flavours of the New Zealand forest through hunting and foraging.
Katie creates the most incredible food for our ladies on their hunting weekends to make sure the bellies are full and amazing kai is shared.
Natalie
Natalie has been Wild Chix infected from the first time she stepped into an "Intro to Hunting" in 2024. Stepping up and becoming a big part of the weekends now, looking after admin and information in the background, Nat is a great addition to Wild Chix and brings the passion and understanding for each girls journey stepping out of their comfort zones to learn something new and exciting!
Tyla
Meet Tyla, born and raised in Aotearoa, a wild-at-heart wāhine in her early 20s with qualifications in Scuba Instruction, Emergency First Response, Fine Arts, Marine Biology snd Massage Therapy.
Tyla can usually be found barefoot running on pure passion by splitting her time between scuba instructing, riding her motorbike, hanging upside down, and capturing the magic of life in her art and through the lens.
Tyla’s mission at Wild Chix is simple: to help wāhine reconnect with themselves and the outdoors, one salty, muddy, joy-filled adventure at a time.
Sarah
Meet Sarah – she grew up surrounded by brothers and boats, and it shows!
Not only is she one of the most skilled and passionate fisher-women you’ll ever meet,
Sarah is also a qualified Skipper with a mission: to get more women out on the water.
Recently, Sarah bought back her old family boat Ratahi, lovingly restoring her to her former glory.
This summer, Ratahi will be ready to take Wild Chix adventures to the next level.
Mandy
Meet Mandy Kupenga – a trailblazer in NZ fishing with an unshakable love for the ocean. As one of the first women in the world to host her own fishing show Get Your Fish On, she’s inspired countless wāhine to pick up a rod and discover the joy of connecting with nature & gathering kai.
Beyond the thrill of the catch, Mandy is a storyteller and campaigner, reminding us that caring for the moana is about love, hope, and unity. For her, fishing is more than a pastime — it’s a life skill, a pathway to confidence, and a way for women to be self-sustainable.
✨ “I’m excited to be part of Wild Chix because empowering women to connect with nature through fishing is healing, liberating, and fun.”
Mandy will be leading our Intro to Fishing, helping wāhine gain the skills to fish with confidence and pass that knowledge on to their whānau and make new friends.
Kim
We’re incredibly excited to welcome Kim to the Wild Chix team!
From June onwards, Kim will be part of our Intro to Hunting weekends based out of Taupō, sharing not just her skills, but showing women that it is possible to juggle work, family, and a love for the outdoors.
Born and bred in Taupō, Kim has always had a deep connection to nature. While she had an early taste of hunting growing up, it’s over the past eight years that it’s become a core part of her family’s lifestyle.
Between working in the marine industry and spending time outdoors,
Kim is passionate about helping others build the confidence to get out there and do it for themselves — and we couldn’t think of a better fit for Wild Chix.
Miah
Miah truly had boating and fishing in her blood from day one. Growing up on the water as the daughter of Grant Dixon, founder and former director of New Zealand Fishing News, she inherited a deep respect for the ocean, strong boat sense and a genuine love for fishing.
Today, Miah is passionate about sharing her knowledge with other women, helping them grow their confidence, feel capable on the water and enjoy boating and fishing on their own terms.
She is also a dedicated volunteer with Coastguard New Zealand, bringing real-world experience, calm leadership and a strong focus on safety to every Wild Chix experience.
Miah is all about lifting other women up and making the ocean a place where every girl belongs.
Bridget
Meet Bridget, a born-and-bred Kiwi whose life has been shaped by the rugged beauty of Aotearoa. She was raised in the outdoors—whether it was hiking, diving, biking, fishing, or hunting. For Bridget, the mountains are her ultimate happy place.
In her late 30s and a mum of one, Bridget holds a PhD in Restoration Ecology, and her professional life is dedicated to restoring degraded ecosystems. This deep respect for the land flows directly into her passion for hunting - she values the quiet moments in the bush and the opportunity to provide sustainable "field-to-fork" protein for her family and friends.
Bridget is thrilled to share her ecological expertise and hunting passion with the Wild Chix community, helping more wāhine find their confidence, connect with like-minded companions, and feel right at home in the bush.
Jess
We’re so excited to introduce Jess — our first South Island addition to the Wild Chix hunting team.
When she’s not out there saving lives as an ambulance officer, you’ll most likely find Jess in the bush chasing deer, or spending time with her four kids and husband. She’s deeply passionate about the outdoors and bringing more women into it — and she’s not afraid to stand out while doing so, often rocking bright, colourful dresses to represent women in male-dominated spaces.
Jess is also part of the NZDA Canterbury committee, and brings a wealth of experience, strength, and authenticity to the Wild Chix community.
We’re beyond excited to have her leading the way in the South Island — you’re going to love her!
become part of the team
Wild Chix is growing and we are always on the hunt for women, who can help us empower others on or in the water or in the bush. Are you a hunter? Fishing-Girl? Confident boat driver (I bet you said no to all of those because you think, you're not good enough - but you ARE!!)
If you have the desire to get some more women out there, have some experience in the outdoors and are a fun, relateable and passionate women who is keen to join the team - please flick us a message on info@wildchix.co.nz - we are looking for women nationwide to become part of the team!
Our Mission
We're all too familiar with the question, "Why would you want to do that? You're a girl." Heard it in hunting? In fishing? In marine science? So are we. And we're here to change that narrative.
Our mission is to break barriers and give women the self-confidence they deserve. We do this through:
-
Education in a female only environment
-
Creating spaces where no question is too "dumb"
-
Building camaraderie
-
Ensuring zero judgment
-
Lots of laughter and fun!
We started with seminars to educate and empower. Next, we're introducing getaways where women can catch fish, practice outdoor skills, and most importantly, build unshakeable confidence.