Life is short, spend it doing what you love doing, nothing less!

Hi, I’m Christina Williams (nee Cooper), originally from Wairoa and currently residing in Te Puke (Bay of Plenty).
I’ve spent the last 20 years working for big corporate companies in all levels of management, and business analyst roles across Australasia in the energy industry, but following a major quad bike accident (more on that further down the page) where I broke my neck and nearly lost my leg, I decided it was time for a career change that allowed me to heal, learn something new, spend more time with my family and hunt!

I’m a self taught taxidermist specialising in Deer, Pigs and Birds. My ultimate goal is to eventually work with New Zealands Museums, providing the public with life like examples of our native as well as exotic wildlife. The decision to learn taxidermy came from hearing horror stories from hunting friends of their mounts taking up to 2 years to be completed, and in some cases, poor quality being returned. I was also looking for a niche market that aligned with my passion of hunting, creativity, and provided a work life balance where I would also be my own boss… so this is what I studied while I was in hospital! I spent a good part of my recovery out in my shed in a wheelchair, figuring out my first mount.

Growing up in Wairoa I spent a fair amount of time in the outdoors with my parents, camping and diving at Mahia Beach. I always had a passion for making things from nothing, and spent some of my teenage years doing bone carving and fashion design. Later in life I purchased my first car making and selling spray paint artwork. I left school when I was 16, moved myself to Mount Maunganui, studied Tourism and Business Management at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, which led me into being a chef at Planet Hollywood, and a Ski Patroller soon after. Splitting my winters back to back between Mount Ruapehu, Vermont and Scotland, I settled back in Tauranga in 2001 and started working in the energy industry. 20 years later, I’m now living on a lifestyle block with my husband Damon and daughter Cheree, and living the dream.

I live to hunt!

Ask anyone, most days I’m planning my next hunting trip with my husband either in Wairoa or the Wairarapa. Because of this, I know how much your antlers, duck or pig jaw mean to you. Nothing beats a good hunting story and something permanent to remember it by, preferably not battle wounds like mine!

The accident & Injuries

Out hunting, I was sitting behind my husband on the quad bike going down a narrow dirt track when the right tires slid into a rut and flipped the bike over onto its right wheels. Past the point of being able to keep my leg tucked in, my right foot planted on the ground with all of my weight on it and at the same time hubby accelerated to get the bike out of the flip. The bike flew out from under me and spun me around over the top of my right knee with the motion, and with gravity, I proceeded to head plant into the ground! There was no cell coverage, so I lay on the track in the darkness while hubby went off to get help.

I fractured the tibial plateau (a rare injury) and ended up with a circulation issue called ‘Compartment Syndrome’. I also fractured two vertebrae and even today am suffering from the side effects of a delayed concussion.

After being helicoptered out of the bush to Wellington hospital, my leg had to be split open both sides to relieve the swelling, otherwise I would have needed amputation. Three days later my leg was sewn up again and metal rods were put in place for a further 2 weeks before surgery to fix the bones could even be considered. I spent my time in hospital studying taxidermy! A year on, I’ve finally had the fourth and final surgery, and had all the metal wear removed which was causing additional pain. I’m now back into physio therapy getting the movement back in my knee, and preparing for the Roar!

Never double on a quad bike! Always wear a helmet! Always, carry an emergency locator beacon!