Meet Veronica Rotman, marine biologist and adventure enthusiast

Introducing our next outsider, Veronica.

Veronica made an epic Northland submission to our Outsider’s Guide, celebrating the beauty and wonder of the west coast.

Where: Ahipara, Northland

What: Explore Tauroa Point (walk, run, skip, or 4WD)

“This has to be one of the best beaches in New Zealand. Sparkling blue water, perfect peelers, and wild horses on the beach, reef, dunes, everywhere. Weird not to see them some days.”

Originally from Arrowtown, Veronica is a Marine Scientist, which ties in perfectly with her love for the ocean and getting outside. 

“The outdoors is the builder of confidence, the bulldozer of ego, and the leveller of privilege.” she says, and we couldn’t agree more.

Take a look at our conversation with Veronica and find out about what marine biology really entails (not just whales and dolphins apparently…)

What’s your name and where are you from? 

Veronica Rotman, Arrowtown.

Tell us about what you do for a living - how do you balance your work v getting outside

I am a marine scientist by trade, and contract out as scientist or lecture at polytechs. It is not quite all whales and dolphins like people think, actually a lot of smelly fish guts and labs. But I love it! Fortunately some bits of work do take me outside, but most non work days are based around the outdoors - hard not to be when your backyard is soo sexy.

Tell us why the outdoors are so important to you

It has completely and utterly shaped me as a person. The outdoors is the builder of confidence, the bulldozer of ego, and the leveller of privilege. Consistently humbled by the challenges it throws, through wild weather, physical sufferfests and problem solving. The time I have spent outdoors in the ocean has defined my career, and I hope to contribute something to ensure our future children get to experience the same vibrant wonders we have under the surface.

What are your favourite ways of getting off grid and making the most of our New Zealand backdrop

I love contrasts - seasons, environments and people. So either, spearfishing and freedivng in the sparkling subtropical blue water of Northland (feasting on raw fish) or ski touring in the glaciers of the main divide or West Coast.

Tell us about a NZ adventure you’ll never forget

Last spring we spent 5 days ski touring (self propelled slip n slide) in the West Cost glaciers, based at Pioneer Hut. The most extraordinary skiing, hysterical humans and mind-altering sunsets above the Tasman sea.

What’s something that you always make sure to pack when you’re headed on a mission?

Wasabi peas!!

What’s a song that you always play on a adventure/mission

Thinking of you - Lord Echo. Ultimate happiness!

If you could go on a one month adventure anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?

Ski mountaineering in the Arctic circle would be up there. Svalbard in Norway has the most extraordinary fiords, where you can sail between peaks, climb and ski under the aurora borealis. The ultimate trip, ocean and mountains.

Is being off-grid, the new luxury? 

It’s always been my idea of luxury, with your best mates in the wilderness challenging yourselves. Definitely becoming more popular, with the human desperation to escape the realms of social media, and such.

Any adventures planned for 2023?

Hopefully, hopefully sailing and freediving with the charismatic megafauna of French Polynesia!