Deckhand to helm: Tahlia finds her happy place on Lake Taupō

Welcome to Taupō: Meet Tahlia Pook

When you meet Tahlia Pook, skipper at Chris Jolly Outdoors in Taupō, it’s hard to imagine her as anything other than calm, capable, confident and in command.

At just 25, Tahlia is one of the youngest skippers on Lake Taupō—steering boats, hosting visitors from all over the world, and quietly reshaping perceptions of what leadership on the water can look like.

But reflecting on ‘teenage Tahlia’, she hardly recognises who she was. “I was pretty shy,” she laughs. “I wouldn’t even talk to people at family gatherings. And after high school, I didn’t want to go to university because I hated being stuck in a classroom. All I knew was that I just loved the outdoors.”

So when she randomly applied for a deckhand role at Chris Jolly Outdoors one July, she was happy that at least it would be outside.

“I was so pleased when they gave me a chance to prove myself. I started as deck crew, before becoming senior crew and head of crew.

“And then over the past six years I’ve worked my way up to skipper,” she says. “It’s honestly the best job - every day is different, and it almost doesn’t feel like work.”

Learning to skipper

Becoming a skipper wasn’t just a promotion, it was a test of skill, stamina and self-belief. Tahlia completed a six-week course in Tauranga and clocked over 200 hours on board, hours she’d already built up during her years with Chris Jolly. But even after gaining her qualification, Tahlia admits she was still worried that people would see this young girl at the helm and think, ‘does she know what she’s doing?’.

“It’s like when you get on a plane and see a really young pilot – you can’t help but think it.”

“I remember my first day skippering, I was very nervous. My boss came down and sat with me while I practised docking without passengers, just to get me out of my own head.

“You just learn to handle it and trust your training and the boat.”

Even now, she says, there are days when conditions on the lake keep her on her toes. Strong currents, sudden gusts of wind and challenging parking manoeuvres are all part of the job. But it’s a role that has come with many memorable moments over the years.

Tahlia recalls one cruise where a ‘group of dads’ watched her every move, waiting for her to dock the boat at the end.

“They were impressed,” she says. “A young female skipper isn’t what people expect, but by the end of a trip though, they’ve usually changed their minds – you get hugs, thanks, big smiles. It’s really rewarding.”

Chris Jolly Outdoors

Chris Jolly Outdoors has long been a staple of Taupō tourism, and Tahlia says she feels lucky to work in a place she loves.

“You’ve got the lake, the mountains, the hot pools, all the friendly locals. Everyone knows everyone, it’s an amazing community.”

And despite being on the water ‘working’ for most of the week, the lake is where she spends plenty of her free time as well. Tahlia and her partner have their own boat, and on their days off will often be off exploring the lake together.

“My favourite place to visit is the White Cliffs area. Rugged and beautiful, it’s only accessible by boat so you’re often one of the only people out there.”

Outdoors around Taupō

Off the boat, Tahlia’s life still revolves around the outdoors, something that has run deep since her childhood.

“We’re always trying to get on the water if we can. Otherwise, I’m out walking our Labrador or just hanging out by the lake. You can’t get me out of the water in summer.

“We definitely go to the hot pools, or go riding at Craters. I used to have a mountain bike but haven’t done it for a few years as I’ve been so busy. But it’s something I’d like to get back into.

“And there are some beautiful nature walks that are really quiet, especially around Acacia Bay and down to the water. You can go there and often be by yourself, it’s such a treat.

“I don’t mind a good lazy day either. Sometimes it’s nice to just slow down, enjoy a coffee and catch up with friends at Rosemarys.

Sense of place

It’s clear that for Tahlia, Taupō isn’t just a workplace, it’s home. Although she’s not Ngāti Tūwharetoa herself, she feels a deep sense of belonging and guardianship over the region.

“I feel protective of this place as I’ve lived here my whole life. We’re so lucky to have this environment, and we need to preserve as much as we can.”

Tahlia

That protectiveness extends to her work on the water. She incorporates small but important environmental messages into her commentary, especially for younger passengers.

“We give the kids lollipops, but we make sure they know the wrappers go in the bin, not the lake. People are blown away by how clean it is here, but it only stays that way if we all look after it.”

Visitors often tell her that the Chris Jolly team makes them feel like family.

“They’re not just going for a cruise, they’re in our hands literally,” she says. “We show them the carvings, we talk about fishing and conservation. It’s not just about sightseeing, it’s about giving them a sense of place.”

Seasons on Lake Taupō

As the seasons change, so does the experience on Lake Taupō. Tahlia lights up when talking about skippering in spring and summer.

“You get clearer skies and longer days - golden mornings and late sunsets make the trips feel more relaxed. The water really comes alive. You’ll see more boats, kayakers, swimmers, birds feeding, even trout rising closer to the surface.

“People want to be outside on the bow or up on the upper deck, rather than huddled inside. It means I’m chatting more, pointing out landmarks, and helping with photos. Guests are generally in lighter spirits and you see many more families on holiday, groups celebrating, and plenty of laughter.”

She says both spring and summer are definitely ideal times to see Taupō from a new perspective. For visitors, Tahlia recommends not just the obvious attractions but some off-the-beaten-track gems and she’s passionate about showing visitors not just the famous sights but the quieter corners of Taupō that locals treasure.

“On the water you get to see Taupō from its best angle with views of Tauhara, the mountains of Tongariro National Park, and hidden bays only accessible by boat, all lit up in their own spectacular way. Nothing beats a sunset out on the water with a drink in hand admiring the scenery.”

Those golden Taupō sunsets are her personal favourite part of the warmer months.

“It’s the best way to end a day on the water. You gain a true appreciation for what we have here and a great sense of pride that I get to call this place my home.”

Stay for a week

Over her years living in Taupō, Tahlia has seen the town evolve from a place to quickly grab a bite to eat before hitting the road again, to a destination in its own right.

“People used to stop here on their way to the mountains. Now we’re seeing visitors who come just to stay here for a week. They might do a day in Rotorua for culture, but then they’re here for the adventure, the adrenaline, the gorgeous lake. We’ve got something for everyone.”

She’s proud of how the town has grown but mindful of keeping it balanced.

“Tourism has been great for local cafés and businesses, but we don’t want it to affect how locals can live here. I think we’re incredibly lucky with how well Taupō has managed that.”

When asked what she would tell other young people considering a maritime career, Tahlia doesn’t hesitate.

“Try it. You don’t know if you’re going to like it until you do. I had no idea whether I’d enjoy this job. But I gave it a go, and now six years later I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Her advice extends beyond boating.

“Even if it’s not my industry, the biggest thing I’ve learned is to get out of your own head. Stop worrying about what people are thinking. Just go. If it fails, at least you tried. I even went over to Europe to work on yachts and realised it wasn’t for me. But now I know for sure where I belong.”

Where she belongs, it seems, is right here, at the helm of a boat on Lake Taupō, introducing visitors to the place she calls home.

Tahlia might have once been the self-confessed ‘shy girl’ who didn’t know what was next, but today she’s a confident skipper leading guests across one of New Zealand’s most iconic lakes and showing them, quietly but firmly, what’s possible when you take a chance.