Meet our team

ANDREW
I started ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND in 1996. I originally trained to be an attorney at Otago University Law School in Dunedin, graduating with a BA in Political Studies and an Honours degree in Law. I discovered after a few months at a major New Zealand commercial law firm that I'm not really interested in life behind a desk, and promptly quit. I then decided to follow my life-long passion for the outdoors, and began working as an adventure guide. After working for other companies for several years, I decided to put into practice all the lessons I learnt working for other people. ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND was the result.

I am an enthusiastic pilot, and a keen musician. As ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND has grown, I've carefully selected a small team of guides to lead our trips and had to get used to spending time behind a desk again. But I still get out and drop in on trips as much as possible, and hit the road periodically on my bike to scout out locations for new trips. I'm a great fan of exercise induced endorphins, and I am very proud to lead such a first-class team of adventure travel guides as you'll find running our trips. I am committed to running the best physically active trips you'll ever find in New Zealand, or for that matter, anywhere in the world!

"My husband and I felt this trip was tailored-made for us. I liked all the people I spoke with on the phone and e-mails were always answered promptly. I read the itinerary several times before I left and the reality was very close to my expectations. Its informality, interesting mix of travelling companions, unbelievably competent guides, and an emphasis on active experiences and sense of place, made each day of the trip different and exciting. "

-- Andrea & Jim Chandler (VT, United States) February 2004 Rimu

Team ACTIVE: Real people, real New Zealand trips!

JODI
When you call us, you’ll most likely reach Jodi, a true Kiwi chick who's passionate about her home country! Having travelled and worked in many beautiful and interesting places in the world, including a long stint in the US, Jodi knows exactly what is about New Zealand that makes it so special. Give her a ring any time for a local’s perspective on putting together the perfect adventure vacation in New Zealand!

SOPHIE
Once you sign up for a trip, Sophie will be handling all the details of your trip until you come down. Sophie’s the woman to call when you’re ready to pack your bags, need to sort out extra accommodations, or just want a second opinion on which hiking boots to buy. Remember, there are no dumb questions, so fire away!

STEVE
Steve started out as one of our guides, back in 2002. Having gained heaps of on-the-road knowledge, Steve now works behind the scenes, helping our office staff and guides make ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND trips even more awesome!

MARY
Mary takes care of the logistics that make your trip run smoothly. She has had many interesting roles in her life, from guiding in Africa to helping to organise the Rugby World Cup in England, so her organisational skills have been well honed! She's also a keen hiker and long distance runner which means she loves getting out and guiding the odd trip too!

Our Guides

GUIDE OF THE MONTH

ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND adventure travel guide Ben Laffan

"Excellent! Ben has in depth knowledge of NZ flora, fauna, culture, and geography that is rare and remarkable. Ben was also remarkably patient in adapting the schedule to accomodate more active clients."
Bob Koshy (NC, United States)
November 2005 Rimu

Click here to read what our clients have said about their guides

The ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND guides, on training at Braemar Station, Mt Cook Our small team of highly-motivated, professional, adventure travel guides includes heli-ski guides, Outward Bound instructors, corporate refugees, and all sorts of interesting people! Our clients consistently tell us that the guides on their ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND trip rank amongst the best in the world. We work hard to attract the best people, we reward them well - and they will look after you very well indeed!

Rachel and Darlene, pondering their next move We have been running our awesome adventure trips since 1996, and refining our tours since the very beginning - we won't stop now! Our unique combination of small size, high motivation, and professional Kiwi guides mean you will get the best possible service, and experience the real New Zealand.

Click here to read more about our guides, and what previous clients have said about them!

ACTIVE trips in other destinations

A lot of our clients have said they want to take another ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND trip, but want to go somewhere new. So in 2001 we decided it wasn’t enough to strive to become the best adventure travel operator in New Zealand, so we started up a sister company, ACTIVE AUSTRALIA, and began running active, multi-activity tours in Australia. After a very successful first season with 3 different tours, in 2002 we added a fourth trip and began running year round in the other land downunder.

In 2003, Phil Boorman, one of our top guides, went one step further and started up ACTIVE SOUTH AMERICA, running our style of adventure travel vacations in Peru, Ecuador, Chilean Patagonia, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands.