The Team
MEET THE TEAM:
We are immensely proud of our close-knit team of hiking guides and we know it is the 'people factor' that really makes a difference on any hiking trip.
All of the hiking guides employed by Southern Wilderness hold current first aid certificates and are equipped with the appropriate knowledge, experience and safety/communications equipment on each trip. The company has an outstanding safety record and employs New Zealand and local hiking guides wherever possible to ensure guests truly experience the essence of this country.
Our team of hiking guides are professional, personable, knowledgeable, passionate and just great fun to be around. Read on to meet everyone for yourself!
Ryan
Ryan started out exploring hiking through his backyard at an early age in the Kaimai Ranges in the North Island. His hiking and general love of the outdoors and people lead him to complete a year long course at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre. Ryan has spent almost all of his working life in the outdoors, either instructing or guiding. From the North Island to the South Island of New Zealand including the Routeburn and Milford Track and in Australia in the world heritage park Kakadu. Ryan has led many trips through an array of different environments, from snow and ice through savannah woodlands and the dense New Zealand bush, his focus on each tour is to make sure everyone has a relaxed and safe trip. He enjoys cooking as much as the other guides and enjoys eating even more! Oh and he's got some good stories too . . .
Di
Di's passion for the outdoors started early with tramps at a young age in the Waitakere Ranges of Auckland and then multi-day trips to the Kauaeranga Valley, Tongariro National Park and Lake Waikaremoana. She pursued this passion after leaving high school by obtaining a degree in Physical Education at Otago University. While here she gained experience in a range of outdoor activities including rock climbing, kayaking, trekking and offroad running. Although Di was involved in the corporate world for 10-12 years she always took time out for trekking trips both locally and internationally, including Africa, Nepal and South America. Di is now a fulltime trekking guide, working the summer in sunny Nelson and the winter on the Larapinta Trail in Australia. If you don't find Di on the Heaphy Track during summer she will be out exploring the mountains around Nelson including the Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks.
Andy
Andy is originally from the UK, but has geologised, hiked and climbed in New Zealand for the last 7 years. He is used to working in the wilderness, having experienced 5 field seasons in Antarctica through his Masters degree and associated involvement in the ANDRILL project (a multinational drilling programme aiming to recover millions of years of climate history from the Antarctic continental margin). Andy mainly enjoys getting other people excited about rocks, but he also appreciates sharing knowledge gained from voluntary work with the Department of Conservation and his previous employment in the renewable energy sector. Food and drink are a central focus whatever adventure Andy finds himself on - so he's glad to join Southern Wilderness this year to guide with a crew as passionate about the good things in life as he is!
John
John has spent well over forty years in the outdoors throughout his various careers. Graduating with an Honours degree in Biology and a keen sense of adventure, John has travelled extensively throughout the UK, USA, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, oh and of course New Zealand. His travels has seen him undertake many fantastic adventures, including driving 4WD vehicles throughout Western Australia, Ambulances and being involved in search and rescue, working in remote areas like Alaska, Northern Scotland, and camps in Fiordland, John has some thrilling stories, in fact we even refer to him as our ‘Walkapedia’ such is his vast knowledge on everyday things. He has an amazing zest for life, and was able to share his passion for all things in the natural world in a career as a teacher that spanned over twenty years. John guided for Southern Wilderness in 2007, and we are thrilled to have him back on the team for the coming summer of 2009/2010.
Sarah
Sarah grew up on a farm on the West Coast of the North Island close to the famous Waitomo caves. Needless to say Sarah spent her childhood growing up in and adventuring in the outdoors. These early forays led Sarah to her passion and career in tourism. Travelling through Europe Sarah developed a greater understanding of world views and her time working in Wales at a high profile equestrian department teaching, consolidated Sarah’s desire to work with people. While based down in Queenstown for two years, Sarah completed a Diploma of Adventure Tourism Management. She also managed to explore the Wakatipu basin and greater area, completing many of the walks and other adventurous activities around the lower South Island. After working at Shotover Jet Boats, Sarah has now joined Southern Wilderness, and we are over the moon to have her energy, expertise and enthusiasm as part of the team.
Why dont you join us on a fantastic Journey of fun and laughter?
Feel free to call from New Zealand on 0800 666 044 or Australia 1800 355 768