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 to keep you safe throughout your trip. The company has an outstanding safety record and employs New Zealand-trained guides to ensure that guests are in capable hands.
Our team of hiking guides are professional, personable, knowledgeable, passionate and great fun to be with. Read on to meet them for yourself!
Gordon
Gordon is the new Company Director of Southern Wilderness. He has taken over from Ryan Kelly who has done sterling work setting up the company over the last few years. With a background of running another tourist service company in Nelson he is passionate about tourism and New Zealand. Gordon became involved with Southern Wilderness as their transport provider and was very impressed with the way all those who walked the Heaphy with us were full of praise for the guides, the organisation, the food and of course the beauty of the track. Ensuring the quality of the guides and the performance of the company is his goal. With a love of good food (and wine!) as well as caring deeply about the natural treasures, that are New Zealand’s National Parks, Gordon is well placed to lead Southern Wilderness. He also believes in having fun so you can be guaranteed some of that with us.
Andy
Andy is Guide Manager for Southern Wilderness, responsible for pre-season operations and guide training. Andy is originally from the UK, but has geologised, hiked and climbed in New Zealand for just over 9 years. He is used to working in the wilderness, having experienced 5 field seasons in Antarctica through his geology Masters degree and, more recently, with his training with the USA-based National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Andy 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 work 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 has led trips with Southern Wilderness since 2007 and is our specialist day walks guide.
Susi
Susi has come back for her second season guiding with Southern Wilderness. In the past she has ran her own organic vegetable growing business in Canterbury, so she knows all about good fresh and healthy food! Her love for being amongst Aotearoa native bush and being active in the outdoors took her over to the West Coast, where she completed the Certificate in Ecotourism at Tai Poutini Polytechnic. Here she gained a wealth of knowledge in the fields of New Zealand ecology, conservation, tourism, and culture. Over the winter Susi worked in the very different environment of the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia. It was a great adventure for her however she is stoked to be home again, spending time tramping with our guests in the lush Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks.
Steve
Steven is originally from Hamilton on the North Island of New Zealand and is passionate about the outdoors. He has a background of Sport Science and Nutrition, Outdoor Education and Ecotourism. He is a Land Search and Rescue member and has advanced Wilderness First Aid skills. Steven Enjoys stories of people’s relationship with the outdoors in pre-European times until present and learning and sharing information of New Zealand’s native flora and fauna. He is grateful to be in a position to guide his guests in New Zealand’s Forest Park’s and enhance their relationship with it.