New Zealand Tramping
Hiking Safari Guides
| Your enthusiastic New Zealand guides each have over a decade of New Zealand tramping (hiking) experience. They have a thorough knowledge of New Zealand's natural history and enjoy sharing and discussing their knowledge with you. Their knowledge of the New Zealand back-country and its weather ensures a safe trip and they are all trained in mountain first aid. The guides enjoy meeting and getting to know new people and have the skills to make everybody feel part of the group. |
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Mark Brabyn founded Hiking New Zealand in 1993 (then known as NZ Nature Safaris). He has a MSc in zoology and did research on whale strandings for his thesis. He has assisted with conservation projects around the world including humpback whales in Tonga, southern right whales in the Sub-Antarctic and elephants and chimpanzees in Uganda. Mark has been active in the outdoors all his life, and his interests include tramping, sea kayaking, scuba diving and mountain biking. |
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| Malcolm O’Neill started up North Island Safaris in 1994. He has a BSc in physical geography and studied climatology, volcanism and glaciation. He co-authored the popular guidebook Classic New Zealand Adventures which involved lots of adventurous research. Malcolm’s interests include mountain biking, travel, skiing, photography, making furniture, singing in the shower and leaping down staircases. |
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| Daniel Murphy studied agricultural science and has worked in the tourism industry for several years including in Spain where he managed an adventure lodge. Dan is the operations manager for Hiking New Zealand. |  |
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| Stan van Uden did a MSc in forest ecology. He has worked for the Department of Conservation on vegetation surveys, NZ Mountain Safety Council as a bushcraft instructor, and has also been a kayak guide and biology tutor. Stan enjoys kayaking, cycling, and climbing trees. |  |
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| Ruth Odlin has worked as a guide/instructor for Japanese tourists at a wilderness lodge in Alaska. Ruth loves the outdoors and enjoys sailing, mountain biking, hockey, and acrobatics. |
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| Regan Hellyer (DIPAR) studied outdoor leadership and adventure tourism. When not guiding he works at an International Sports Training Camp in the USA. Regan also enjoys kayaking and mountain biking. |  |
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| Nick Groves has worked as a tour guide in Nepal, an outdoor instructor and as a safety officer at Scott Base, Antarctica. He is a very experienced mountaineer and has climbed extensively in the Southern Alps and Himalayas. He has a BSc in physical geography and is also a professional photographer. | ||
| Chris Burtenshaw has a Diploma of teaching and runs his own rock climbing business "Lizzard Climbing" when he is not guiding. His work includes assessing rock climbing instructors and organising and managing bouldering competitions. Chris is also a very active tramper and enjoys studying alpine and sub alpine plants. |  |
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| Joe Fagan has a Masters degree in geography which focussed on resource and environmental management. He has also studied travel writing and photography, and enjoys New Zealand tramping, snow boarding, mountain biking and caving. |  |
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| Karen Grey is a registered midwife. She has travelled and worked in the UK and Australia and enjoys kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing and wine tasting. |  |
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| Mark Orbell studied Tourism and has worked in the guiding industry since 1994. He has experience as a professional photographer and musician, and also enjoys tramping and fly-fishing in the backcountry of New Zealand. |  |
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| Terry Thomsen (MSc) researched the biogeography of southern beech forest. Terry is an active member of a New Zealand Tramping Club and enjoys photography and astronomy. |  |
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| Helen Walker has a National Certificate in Outdoor recreation and has worked for several years in Adventure Tourism. Helen enjoys swimming, travel, socialising and touch rugby. |  |
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| Graham Frith has hiked, mountain biked, rafted and kayaked all over the world. In his limited spare time he likes to orienteer, sing, practice his thespian skills and get out of Auckland. | ||
| Other similarly qualified guides are used during peak times. Please be gentle with your guide - good guides are hard to find! |
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"New Zealand Tramping - Experience it with Hiking New Zealand!" |
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