Nisbet Orator

Nathan Fa’avae

Nathan Fa’avae is an accomplished adventurer, entrepreneur, educator, and community leader. In 2022, he was honoured as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his outstanding services to Adventure Racing, Outdoor Education, and Pasifika youth.

As long-time captain of the New Zealand Adventure Racing Team, Nathan led his team to seven Adventure Racing World Championship titles, achieving an unprecedented decade-long unbeaten record and establishing the most successful era in the sport’s history. His leadership under extreme pressure has become a hallmark of his success.

But no road to the top is without setbacks, and Nathan’s journey is no exception.

As a teenager, Nathan was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that could have ended his sporting ambitions before they began. Managing a high-performance career alongside a cardiac condition required resilience, discipline, and perspective. Over the years, he has undergone three heart surgical interventions, to continue competing at the highest level.

Beyond racing, Nathan is a respected outdoor educator who believes deeply in the power of wilderness experiences to build character, confidence, and leadership.

His entrepreneurial journey began in 1997 when he founded a sea kayaking company in Abel Tasman National Park, later earning a New Zealand Business Award. He went on to establish Ten Events Ltd, now one of New Zealand’s leading organisers of adventure sports events, and founded Real Meals, a premium freeze-dried food brand.

Through the Fa’avae Foundation, Nathan continues the legacy of his late parents by investing in health, education, and opportunity for Pacific youth, creating pathways for the next generation to thrive.

Nathan lives in Tasman Bay with his wife, he has three children. Still driven by challenge, his 2026 expedition goal is the Yukon 1000, the world’s longest and toughest paddle race, a race he won in 2024, reinforcing that for Nathan Fa’avae, adventure is not just a pursuit, but a lifelong commitment to growth, resilience, and legacy.