Johan Bergman, who attended Hillcrest High School from 1993 to 1997, has built a life and career that combines a love for history, adventure, and endurance.
Now based in Christchurch with his wife and children, Johan serves as the General Manager of Programmes for the Antarctic Heritage Trust—a role that takes him from the southern city all the way to the frozen continent of Antarctica.
In his work, Johan helps preserve the iconic heroic-era huts of Antarctica, including those used by legendary explorers Shackleton and Scott between 1899 and 1915. One of the huts is even the only original building still standing on any continent in the world. “It’s a massive privilege to work on something that means so much to so many people,” he reflects.
Johan’s passion for adventure isn’t confined to his professional life. A dedicated ultra-distance runner, he regularly trains and competes in ultra trail events. One of his proudest achievements is being selected for the New Zealand Backyard Ultra team for two consecutive years. In his most recent race, he ran for 50 hours straight, covering an astonishing 342km. The Backyard Ultra format—6.7km loops every hour, on the hour, until only one person remains—demands both physical and mental strength. “The hardest part,” Johan says, “is that you can give up at any time. So, pushing through when you’re tired and sore is the real challenge.”
Johan traces some of his lifelong interests back to his days at Hillcrest High School, where he was actively involved in football, cricket, golf, and tennis. Being part of the school’s football and cricket teams taught him early lessons in teamwork, especially the value of working alongside people from different backgrounds. “It showed me how much I loved competing in sport,” he says—a passion that has clearly stayed with him.
He also cherishes the friendships he made at Hillcrest, many of which have endured across the decades. “Spending time with friends, lots of which I still have today, was a highlight,” Johan recalls. On the sports field, he fondly remembers achieving “amazing results” with the football team.
A few key teachers left lasting impressions as well. Mr Watkins and Mr Wilkinson supported his journey through football, particularly when he joined the First XI at just 14 years old. “They showed belief in me when I didn’t really feel like I belonged.” Johan also remembers former Principal Mr Hessell as “approachable, fair, and genuinely interested in students’ wellbeing.”
If he could offer advice to his younger self, it would be to not just rely on natural ability but to give 100% in pursuit of personal potential. And his message to today’s students at Hillcrest echoes that: “Enjoy your time—it goes quickly. Find something you’re passionate about and give it your all.”
Looking ahead, Johan hopes to continue living and working in New Zealand while maintaining his strong connection to Antarctica. He also plans to keep running, with his eyes set on new races both at home and overseas.
“Hillcrest was a great school to attend,” Johan says. “There were lots of opportunities for people with all sorts of interests.” His story stands as a testament to the idea that with passion, perseverance, and purpose, those early opportunities can take you to the ends of the Earth—literally.
