Liz Leeder (Harington 2001–2002) is the kind of person who quietly juggles more than most. Between raising three children, Violet (10), Tipene (7), and 18-month-old Austin, and helping run a demanding forestry business in Ōpōtiki, life is fast-moving, but firmly family-oriented.

After leaving St Paul's Collegiate School, Liz completed a five-year chiropractic degree in Auckland before returning to Whakatane to practise for 10 years. But life shifted after the arrival of her daughter, Violet. What began as a working mum doing locum chiropractic work gradually evolved into something entirely different, a move into health and safety training and business management within the forestry sector.

During that transition, Liz and her partner Steve built STR Logging Ltd. Together, they run a cable logging and extraction business with 11 staff, 10 pieces of innovative forestry machinery and, as Liz jokes, an “eye-watering diesel bill.” Cable logging is commonly used on steep or difficult terrain where roads and vehicles/machinery are impractical or too costly to construct. Using a system of cables and winches, logs are pulled up or down hillsides by a stationary engine positioned either at the top or bottom of the slope. While the industry may seem worlds away from chiropractic care, Liz says their farming and dairy backgrounds made the transition feel surprisingly natural.

Steve, whom Liz affectionately describes as the “quintessential greenie,” approaches forestry with a strong environmental conscience and meticulous attention to detail. The work is physically demanding and often carried out on unforgiving terrain, something Liz admits can be difficult to watch at times. “I do get worried when he’s on those bloody steep ridges,” she says, “but I have full trust in him.”

That trust comes from decades of experience and the respect Steve has earned within the industry for his high standards and careful approach. In a business dictated by weather, terrain, and fluctuating markets, the work requires resilience. Liz remembers returning from a family holiday only to be told by a customer there was “no need to turn up tomorrow” after a sudden drop in wood prices. Liz speaks highly of the forestry community and its members. “They’re phenomenal, wholesome, hardworking, gracious people with strong family values,” she says. We have many mentors within the industry who are extremely successful business owners.

For Liz, one of the most rewarding parts of the industry is helping forest owners see years of investment finally come to fruition. Looking ahead, she believes the future of logging will increasingly depend on advances in machine technology and investing in the next generation through quality training.

Liz reflects fondly on her years at St Paul’s and the lifelong friendships formed through boarding. “The boarding people are friends you make for life,” she says. “They are irreplaceable. The whole school community push you to be more.” She remembers the early-morning 7 am biology tutorials with Mr Shaw becoming something she genuinely enjoyed, while Dr Kay Etheredge, whom Liz describes as a “legend”, left a lasting impression on both her and her sister, Jane Leeder (Harington 1995–1996). “It was amazing to have someone as knowledgeable as Dr Kay on staff at St Paul’s,” she says. Both my sister and I took science-based pathways as a result. I also remember Mr Steve Cole, the Headmaster. He was charismatic and had high standards; the respect he carried through the school was infectious. Even as a young student, I was impressed.  

“Since attending boarding school, one of the best gifts St Paul’s gave me was a sense of connectedness,” she says. “To help create that for current students sits really well with me, and that's why I purchased a Hive brick for our family. You never know, perhaps my children will one day feel connected to the new building too if they attend St Paul’s.”

Asked what advice she would give her 18-year-old self, Liz does not hesitate. “Take every opportunity given to you, have no limits. The only limitations are the ones you put on yourself.”

For now, much of family life revolves around the outdoors, particularly fishing the annual Junior Fishing Competition, the Whakatane Ladies fishing tournament and the Whakatane Tuna tournament in Whakatane each summer. “This year, Tipene proudly took home the best fish photo of the day and caught himself a nice little yellow fin tuna, but he was too young to weigh it in,” says Liz. 

As her children grow older, Liz hopes to eventually return to chiropractic work, with ambitions of one day opening a multi-modality health centre. In preparation, she has completed multiple Pilates instructor trainings, which she hopes to use as a rehabilitation tool to assist people’s recovery and well-being.

Liz believes one of the greatest gifts St Paul’s provides is a sense of connection. Help strengthen that legacy by purchasing your Hive Family Brick here.