Our Story

Born from Passion, Built for Progression

— Guided by Experience, Whakapapa, and Responsibility

Para Clinics Aotearoa was founded by Zak Morris—an experienced paragliding instructor, acro pilot, and commercial tandem operator with over two decades in the sky. After years flying and teaching across the globe, Zak returned to his roots in Aotearoa with a clear mission: to bridge the gap between basic training and confident, independent flying.

A Personal Journey Marked by Loss and Resolve

He waka eke noa — We are all in this together.

Over my 20 years in paragliding, I’ve had the privilege to fly with incredible pilots—friends who became whānau. But with that privilege came profound loss. Several of those closest to me were taken too soon in paragliding accidents. Their passing shook me deeply, and echoed through the wider flying community. The silence they left behind—the empty skies where their spirits once soared—was a powerful reminder of the sacredness and fragility of life in the air.

Too often, pilots finish their license and are left drifting—unsure, isolated, or unknowingly building unsafe habits. Some push too far, too fast. Others stop progressing altogether. I saw this cycle play out again and again—and I began to realise that the gaps in our learning culture were costing us dearly.

Those moments called me home—to a deeper sense of kaitiakitanga, a responsibility not just to myself, but to our whole community of flyers. I began to ask:

How do we honour those we’ve lost?
How do we uplift the next generation with better guidance, deeper awareness, and a stronger safety culture?
How do we embody care—not just for the skies, but for each other?

Para Clinics Aotearoa emerged in response.

It is more than coaching—it is whakawhanaungatanga: a weaving together of people, purpose, and place. A space to learn, grow, and reflect. A culture where pilots can build skill with aroha, fly with mana, and connect not only with thermals—but with te taiao, and with themselves.

We fly for joy, yes—but also for legacy. For those who came before, for those beside us now, and for those yet to take to the air.

Haere whakamua.

Tiakina te rangi. Aroha ki te hau.
Move forward. Care for the sky. Love the wind.

A New Approach to Learning

He mātauranga mō te rere — Knowledge for flight.

Traditional schools get you off the ground. True progression begins when you’re alone in the sky, making decisions, reading the elements, and crafting your unique style.

At Para Clinics, we create deep, immersive learning grounded in mātauranga Māori and western science—combining weather theory, site knowledge, practical coaching, and mindset development. We guide pilots to develop pono (authenticity), mōhio (understanding), and mātauranga (knowledge), so you fly with confidence and care.

This is not a race. It’s a journey of tipu—growth. We give you tools, mentorship, and mindset to become safe, skilled, and self-aware for the long term.

Our Philosophy: Mindset, Weather, Community, Progression

He oranga ngākau, he pikinga waiora — A healthy heart leads to uplifted wellbeing.

Paragliding is a mountain sport—technical, mental, deeply personal. At Para Clinics we believe:

Mindset is the foundation. Confidence grows through experience, reflection, and whakapakari (strengthening).
Weather is wairua and science. Understanding the wider patterns and local microclimates is essential mātauranga.
Community is whanaungatanga. Learning is stronger together, nurturing peer support, respect, and safety.
Progression is whakarerekē—unique to each pilot. Whether you’re new, returning, or pushing into acro or XC, we meet you where you are.

Why Aotearoa?

Te whenua, te moana, te rangi—land, sea, sky.

New Zealand’s Southern Lakes region is a living classroom—dramatic terrain, coastal winds, alpine ridges, and ever-changing skies. This taiao (environment) shapes and challenges every pilot. We are proud to call it home and to help pilots kōrero rangi—dialogue with the sky—safely.

Welcome to Para Clinics Aotearoa

Haere mai, haere mai, tauti mai — Welcome, come in, be embraced.

We are here to grow a new generation of thoughtful, capable, and inspired pilots. If you’re ready to deepen your flying, sharpen your awareness, and join a whānau committed to responsibility and adventure—come fly with us.