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enthusiastic New Zealand guides have a thorough knowledge of natural
history and will enjoy sharing and discussing this with you. Each
has over a decade of outdoor experience; their knowledge of the back-country
and its weather will ensure a safe trip. In addition, 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. "Fantastically enthusiastic, patient, good tempered, informative, fun, boundlessly energetic, full of gas!!" Mimi Connell, UK, Feb 05 "Cool dude, very good cook, always happy and relaxed, pushed my boundaries." Peter Hofstetter, Germany, April 05
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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. "Well-informed, bubbly, ALWAYS cheerful, patience of a saint, need I say more - FATASTIC." Jane William, UK, Feb 05 "Practical, articulate, knowledgeable and a great person to learn about outdoor living and survival from. A real individual, with a huge range of talents." Chris Rossiter, UK, Jan 05
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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. "Fantastic! A real talent for bringing us together and helping us all enjoy it. Clearly has a great love for his job." Dane Vierow, USA, Dec 04 "Regan is a first-class guide. His blend of humour, leading by example and concern for our safety was excellent. He is also a damned good cook!!" Tessa Honey, UK, Feb 05
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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. "Very knowledgeable and experienced mountaineer, great sense of humour, full of anecdotes (Nick write another book)." Annette Rabeler, Germany, Nov 04 "Excellent - very knowledgeable and flexible." Mike Mahor, Australia, March 05
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André Booth has worked in parks and reserves through New Zealand and Canada, including the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. He enjoys tramping, scrambling, snowboarding, rock climbing, and mountain biking. He has also trained as a rural fire-fighter. André's clients always appreciate his extensive collection of local New Zealand music.
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| Simon Middlemass (B.Com, Dip. Teach) is a keen rockclimber and mountaineer whose travels include North and South America, Australia, France, Turkey, Thailand and the UK. He also instructs for Outward Bound in the USA. He is a keen photographer and has written a climbing guidebook. He freely admits to a caffeine addiction and loves a good book. | ||
| Kath Watzig (Dip ORL) keeps bees, carves wood and is very active in Northland conservation groups. Kath is an outrigger canoe champion and lives in a mud brick house she built herself. |  |
Terry Thomsen (MSc) researched the biogeography of southern beech forest. Terry is an active member of a Tramping Club and enjoys photography and astronomy. "EXCELLENT. Very good, very personable, very knowledgeable." Jeff Graham, USA, Mar 05 "Professional, calm, fit, a lot of knowledge on many areas, sese of humour, hard-working." Peyronnet, France, Mar 05
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Helen Walker has a National Certificate in Outdoor recreation and has worked for several years in the Adventure Tourism. Helen enjoys swimming, travel, socialising and touch rugby. "Knowledgeable - very passionate about NZ - lots of fun." Kerry Taylor, Australia, Nov 04 "Amazing, young and energetic woman that showed me a different and crazy way of living/ thinking." Chris, Jan 05
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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. |  |
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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. "Great!! Very Professional. Chris has a very large knowledge about alpine botany and an extendable local knowledge about the local society." Henrik Nielson, Denmark, Oct 04 "Knowledgeable, friendly, very competent." Neil Waite, UK, Nov 04 |
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| 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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