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Your Guides
"We are all very experienced, friendly walkers and bikers who love to share our knowledge of New Zealand’s flora and fauna and local history".
We hold current first aid certificates, passenger driving licences (where required) and are always there to ensure your experience will be one to remember.
Gavin Hampton
I am an active member of one of Christchurch's largest tramping clubs and love being outside, whether it is in the garden or on a hill top somewhere.
I enjoy reading and social history.
I'm a semi-retired chartered accountant, but these days I spend most of my time doing voluntary work and exploring the outdoors.
I'm a born and bred Cantabrian but have travelled extensively, including living in Europe for four years.
Tours I've lead:
Stewart (Stew) Cron
I was born on the West Coast of the South Island and have a great passion for the wilderness. The majority of my working years were devoted to education, as well as organising and guiding groups in outdoor recreational activities. The mountains, valleys and rivers in Canterbury, Nelson Lakes and the West Coast are my recreational playground.
I have a particular interest in the local history of the various passes, routes, land features, flora and fauna and personalities associated with early discovery and development.
Tours I've lead:
Mary Lissaman
For the past 34 years I have lived in the Awatere Valley on a sheep and cattle farm that has been in my husband's family for 110 years.
I was born and bred in Blenheim and as a child all my holidays were spent in the Marlborough Sounds at our family bach.
I love being in the outdoors, with tramping and biking both great passions. For the last 15 years I have been an active member of the Marlborough Tramping Club, leading many tramps both in Marlborough and further afield.
I take immense satisfaction guiding many alpine tramps climbing the 2885 meter peak of Mt Tapuaenuku, towards the head of the Awatere Valley - a three day tramp with about 80 river crossings and a very dramatic and rugged landscape.
When not tramping or biking, I love gardening, helping my husband on the farm,and always find time to devour a good book.
Tours I've lead:
Pauline Croft
I have been a member of the Hospital Tramping Club in Christchurch for 20 years and have helped to organise and lead tramps throughout the South Island.
In recent years I have enjoyed walking in the Canadian Rockies, Inca Trail in South America, Annapurna Circuit in Nepal and El Camino de Santiago, across the Pyrenees and Northern Spain.
I live on Banks Peninsula and guiding tours to Akaroa is an immense pleasure for me,sharing my local knowledge and passion for this beautiful area.
Tours I've lead:
Rosemary (Rose) Bothwell
I have been involved in the Forestry and Marine farming industry with my husband for many years.
I am an avid reader and have a strong interest in the wildlife of N.Z.
As a DOC volunteer I have visited Stephens Island (home to the Tuatara) to plant native trees, and had a trip to Maud Island tracking takahe, as well as an adventure on Maud Island with a very close encounter with Sirocco (kakapo with an attitude!) - He bit my finger!
I have a great appreciation and respect for the outdoors, including being a keen cyclist and tramper (member of the Marlborough Tramping Club).
Tours I've lead:
John Dunbier
I come to guiding from a background in exploration geology and teaching.
I love to explore new terrain and have a passion for prospecting in the West Coast goldfields.
To keep fit I play tennis and like to get out on cross country skis when the white stuff covers the hills.
As a hobby I use satellite data to track icebergs in the waters south of New Zealand and have recently started to document the drift of these magnificent Antarctic wanderers in my blog "Kiwi Icebergs".
Tours I've lead:
Doug Hueston
I've a passion for hill country, farming and the great outdoors and have an extensive knowledge of Banks Peninsula, Canterbury and the South Island.
With 23 years experience in the tourism industry I enjoy interacting with people and sharing my knowledge.
I've a particular interest in natural history, native bird-life and photography.
When I am not guiding walks, my outdoor pursuits include tramping, scuba diving, flora and fauna, nature, traveling and working on my lifestyle farmlet.
Tours I've lead:
Nicky Page
These days I am usually found in the office - as Tour Manager, but have come from a guiding background and always look forward to any opportunity to guide a tour.
I have a background of 17 years in tourism, and enjoy introducing walkers to the delights of Banks Peninsula and the West Coast.
Having lived on, and explored the Port Hills of Christchurch since childhood, Banks Peninsula is my "backyard" and I have also walked many of the public and private walks in other parts of the South Island.
When not out walking, I enjoy exploring New Zealand with my husband in our campervan and we are also keen international travellers, walking and cycling wherever we can.
Tours I've lead:
Neil Brown
After tramping extensively in New Zealand and the Himalayas, I decided to share my experience and knowledge by guiding with Tuatara Tours.
I was a secondary school teacher for 28 years and was heavily involved with Outdoor Education such as running ski and kayak trips, camps and other expeditions.
I am a qualified kayak instructor and enjoy adventure and multisport racing, not to mention a spot of paragliding too!
Tours I've lead:
Bryan Connell
Born and bred in Christchurch, I have a great knowledge of the Canterbury area.
I have worked in the health industry for 28 years, including a stint of nine years on the island of Bermuda. I also lived in France for two years.
I've always been a keen sportsman and tramper, as well as an avid book-worm, with particular interest in local history. Hence, my great passion to guide outdoor experiences!
Tours I've lead:
