Room 18 Teacher Bio

Kia ora. Welcome to Room 18’s website.  

My name is Ross Trafford. I was born in Gisborne, on the sunny East Coast. I have four brothers and we grew up on a sheep and cattle farm.  

Some of my childhood interests are still with me today. I enjoy photography and tramping. With friends, I’ve tramped most of the scenic Great Walks of New Zealand.  

Travelling is also another interest of mine and I enjoy filming the trips. Eight years ago, I bought my first drone and this has now expanded to five. I formed a New Zealand drone operators’ Facebook group and it is now the largest of it's type in N.Z., with over 7,400 members and growing. I will be teaching interested Te Rapa students drone operating.

Going to the movies is another hobby that I really enjoy.  "Dune 2", directed by Denis Villeneuve, is my favourite film. One of my tastiest foods is…..a nut top ice cream!

Another career I have had was that of a forest ranger in exotic forestry, mainly logging.  

I look forward to meeting you during the school year.

You can contact me at:  rtrafford@terapa.school.nz  

Below are a few drone photos that I took in Italy and Germany over the last holiday break. Also there is the video of my enjoyable trip to India in January 2025.