William Pike hiking in the mountains

My Story / Resilience

What happens after the impossible?

William Pike’s story spans a volcanic eruption, years of rehabilitation, two organisations, and a life still shaped by adventure, leadership, and purpose.

Resilience isn’t a trait. It’s a practice.

In 2007, a volcanic eruption on Mt Ruapehu buried William Pike alive, crushed his right leg, and changed his life forever. What happened next wasn’t a motivational poster. It was messy, painful, and slow. But it was also the making of one of New Zealand’s most compelling stories of resilience.

  • 2007
    Survived the Ruapehu eruption
  • 12 hours
    Rescue operation through the night
  • 12+ surgeries
    To rebuild and adapt

William Pike was 22 years old and sleeping in the Dome Shelter on Mt Ruapehu when a lahar of mud, rock, and volcanic debris tore through the hut at 8.20pm on September 25, 2007. His climbing partner courageously ran down the mountain for help. Rescuers arrived with the threat of another eruption and completed what has become one of NZ’s most daring alpine rescues. He lost his right leg below the knee.

What followed wasn’t a straight line from tragedy to triumph. There were years of surgeries and rehabilitation, and quiet battles that never made the news. William learned that resilience isn’t about being positive all the time. It’s about showing up the next day, even when you don’t want to.

Today, William channels that hard-won resilience into everything he does: building businesses, speaking to thousands, raising a family, and adventuring in some of the world’s most remote places. His story isn’t just about what happened on the mountain. It’s about every day since.

Key facts

2 businesses
Built from scratch since the eruption

40,000+ lives
Touched through the William Pike Challenge

Timeline

  • Survived Mt Ruapehu volcanic eruption; right leg amputated below the knee.

    1

    2007

  • Began rehabilitation and set his first major post-injury goal: climb a mountain.

    2

    2008

  • Got his first prosthetic leg from "The Leg Shop".

    3

    2008

  • Published his autobiography, Every Day’s a Good Day.

    4

    2008

  • Started teaching again. Delivered his first speaking engagement at Ngatea Lions Club.

    5

    2008

  • Summited Mt Tongariro in winter, the first mountain he climbed with two legs, now one.

    6

    2009

  • Made one of a few failed summit attempts on Mt Ruapehu.

    7

    2010

  • Summited Mt Ruapehu, returning to the mountain that nearly killed him.

    8

    2012

  • Left teaching. Moved into the William Pike Challenge full-time.

    9

    2014

  • Antarctic expedition; climbed Mt Scott.

    10

    2017

  • Launched PRO ARMOUR® prosthetic protection.

    11

    2020

  • The William Pike Challenge surpassed 35,000 young New Zealanders.

    12

    2025

Dome Shelter on Mt Ruapehu buried in lahar debris, on the front page of the New Zealand Herald

Dome Shelter after the eruption - New Zealand Herald, 27 September 2007

Every Day’s a Good Day by William Pike

Every Day’s a Good Day - buy the book →

Awards & Recognition

William’s contribution to New Zealand has been recognised with multiple national awards spanning leadership, community impact, and alumni achievement.

2019

Young Distinguished Alumni Award

University of Auckland

2017

Blake Leader Award

Sir Peter Blake Trust

2015

Young New Zealander of the Year Finalist

NZ of the Year Awards

2014

Local Hero Medal

Kiwibank New Zealand

“William Pike: A volcanic eruption survivor, focusing on adventure and overcoming adversity.”

Google AI Overview, “Top Inspirational & Motivational Speakers in NZ”

William’s resilience story has inspired audiences from Nike to the NZ Navy.

Book him to share it with your people.

Book William →
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