Meet Your Hosts

Kristina Placko

With experience in the fishing industry throughout Australia and New Zealand, Kristina has worn many hats and as a result brings a broad expertise to anglers of all levels—from beginners to seasoned fly fishers realising their New Zealand fly fishing dreams. As the founder and lead guide of Stray South Fishing Outfitters NZ, fly fishing is more than a sport - it’s a life long journey of education, enrichment and exploration. Kristina’s work focuses on enriching lives through education of fly fishing incorporating a wellness aspect to reconnect people with both nature and themselves.

Kristina will be facilitating the fly fishing skills, trout behaviour and river levels segments of the weekend.

Britt Davies

Britt is an outdoor facilitator and the founder of Manawa, a platform focused on creating supportive spaces for women to build confidence and capability in the outdoors.

Growing up fishing and duck shooting in Tauranga, she developed an early connection to the outdoors, which later expanded into a love for remote landscapes and backcountry experiences across the South Island.

Through her work with Manawa, Britt designs and facilitates women’s trips, workshops, and events that combine practical outdoor skills with personal growth and reflection. Her approach centres on creating environments where wāhine feel supported to learn, challenge themselves, and back their own decisions.

Britt will be facilitating the navigation and weather components of the weekend, as well as the mindfulness and grounding practices woven throughout the experience.