Meet The Team

Guides

Shay Gill A 'real' local, Shay was born in Nelson. Working with us since 1998 he is now our Operations Manager. His love for the outdoors and a desire to inspire other people with our amazing country, means he was destined to be a guide in Abel Tasman National Park. With certificates in Outdoor Recreation and Management, he is also a qualified Seakayak Instructor and has his Local Launch Operator licence.

John Glasgow One of New Zealand's most experienced guides, John's association with Abel Tasman National Park traces back to his grandfather who settled in the area in the late 1890's. The park is literally John's back yard - about 700 metres of the Coastal Track pass through his family's land. An experienced mountain climber, John worked as a mountain guide on Mount Cook but was compelled to return to his home territory.

Marios Gavalas Despite a Greek name and English accent, Marios has earned his status as Kiwi, working as a Guide in the North and South Islands since 1999 and writing 18 walking and historical guides to regions in New Zealand, for Reed Publishing. With a degree in Geography from Sheffield University, he started his career in tourism as a host at chalets in the French Alps, meeting his New Zealand-born wife at a ski resort in Vaujany. They are raising their two children in Riwaka.

Andy "Whitey" White Most Guides grow up with an aversion to office work and Whitey is no exception. Born in Christchurch, he has a Diploma in Outdoor Management and Leadership from the Otago Sports Institute, winning the institute's Ambassador Award in his final year. After 3 years guiding with us, he took a year off to explore British Columbia, Canada, skiing on Red Mountian (Rossland) and Sea Kayak guiding around Quadra Island (off Vancouver Is). Whitey continues to be an ambassador for adventure (either passive or active) on your trip into the Abel Tasman.

Adam Rossall Born in the North Island, of English parents, Adam first visited the Abel Tasman as a boy scout at the age of 11, moving to Nelson with his parents 2 years later. He started work as a Panel Beater, but his love of the outdoors led him to gain qualifications as a Glacier, Rafting and Sea Kayak Guide at Nelson Marlborough Istitute of Technology and Whenua Iti. He has spent many of our Winters enjoying summer, pouring beers at his parent's "real English pub" at Cartmel in the Lakes District. The pub is now sold but Adam can still pour a good beer at our Lodges.

Garrick Ferguson As a stone sculptor, working to become self-responsible on his 15 acre lifestyle block, Garrick brings a world of experience to his job with a degree in world travelling from the University of Life. When he was a full time roving artist, he rode a motor bike from London to Egypt where he worked as a Dive Guide. He settled in Motueka in 2004, attracted by the sculpting possibilities of the granite and marble in the region. With a certificate in Outdoor Recreation from Whenua Iti, he has been a Sea Kayak Guide in the Abel Tasman since 2005.

Joel Felber Born in Switzerland, Joel's family moved to Nelson when he was 3 years old. He has travelled in Europe and Asia on snow boarding and climbing expeditions. With a diploma in Mountain Recreation from Otago Polytech, he guided on the Franz Josef Glacier for 3 season before sea kayak guiding in the Abel Tasman from 2005. Joel has just returned from another OE when he worked as a tree surgeon in the UK. While kayaking guiding this summer, Joel is studying for an environmental management degree with the Open Polythechnic. He looks forward to taking you adventuring in Abel Tasman National Park.

Katarina Te Maiharoa As one of the Waitaha people who were here before Maori, Katarina is a 67th generation New Zealander. With a degree in Outdoor Education from Christchurch Polytech followed by a year at Teacher's College, Katarina is well qualified to introduce our guests to the wonders of kayaking the Abel Tasman coast. This is her second year as a Kayak Guide in the Park.

Lyla Mayn As a teenager, Lyla came to Nelson from her home in the North Island to pick raspberries, and knew she would return but first, after marrying an Australian, spent 4 years travelling in the "West Island", following seasonal farm work. She finally settled in the Nelson region in 1979, taking up and teaching Iyenga Yoga. Living in Golden Bay for 3 years, she had a pioneering experience when she didn't make to hospital for the birth of her son who was delivered in the front seat of a car on the Takaka Hill. With two grown children, Lyla took a course in Adventure Tourism at Whenua Iti and has been guiding visitors in the South Island since 2007.

Boat Hosts

Alan Noble A "real local" Alan was born and bred in Motueka. So what does a Boat Skipper who's been working on the Wilson's boats for 15 years in the Abel Tasman National Park do on his days off? He takes his family on his own boat into the National Park, or goes on fishing trips to D'Urville Island.

Murray Black Qualified Inshore Launch Master, Murray returned to his birthplace, Nelson, with two bonuses from his OE in Europe, a grasp of the German language and a German-born wife. Having paradise as an office, has kept Murray working in the Abel Tasman for 8 years.

Art Dol Art was working on general cargo ships when he first came to New Zealand in 1975. He decided to settle here permanently in 1981 because he believed he had found a place with the potential to become fully sustainable and self-sufficient. As Abel Tasman is part of his Dutch heritage, he moved to Motueka in 1977 to work with eco-tourism operators in the National Park. Since starting as a Water Taxi Skipper with us in 2007 he has taken up the role of eco-warrior, recycling all the organic waste from our Lodges and boats at his worm farms.

Ben Coburn Southern man, Ben, was born and raised in Riverton. He worked for 4 years as a diver at the Underwater Aquarium in Milford Sound, and did one season as a Kayak Guide on the Sound. After 2 years as First Mate on the Navigator in Doubtful Sound, he decided to head for the sun and moved north for our 2009 summer. When he is not hosting visitors on our boats, he is stocking his larder with game caught in the wild.

Nancy Train From using her degree in English Literature, working in a publishing house in South Carolina, to hosting on our boats in Abel Tasman National Park has been a journey of discovery for Nancy. The journey has included time in New York, and starting a photography degree at Berkley University (San Francisco) between working in Fiordland on boats, as a Guide at Milford Sound Underwater Observatory and helping to manage Gunn's Camp in the Hollyford valley. Nancy continues to study photography extramurally from Berkley uni.

Driver

Hemi Lawrence Hemi's North Auckland Nga Puhi ancestors were amongst the first Maori to land in New Zealand and had some successful encounters with the warring Ngati Toa chief, Te Rauparaha in the 1830s. Hemi became a South Islander with an apprenticeship in Christchurch. He toured Samoa with the Canterbury Maoris rugby team, and his team won the Prince of Wales Cup in the 1980's. After a holiday in the Nelson region, Hemi was a store man before finding a job that allowed him to pursue one of his favourite pastimes - meeting lots of different people.

Lodge Hosts

Craig Wilson Son of company founders, John and Lynnette Wilson, Craig helped his father build the Lodges he now manages. After guiding in the National Park, he trained with renowned chef, Ruth Pretty, in Wellington before heading for Europe. He ran his own Theatre Restaurant in Soho, London, for 4 years, then spent 3 years on the road as 'chef to the stars' including Pavarotti and Paul McCartney. He also operated Cederman House in Riwaka as a restaurant before taking on Food and Beverage Management as well as being Chef at the family's Lodges. Read Craig's Chef profile published in Hospitality Magazine.

Caroline Wright Hailing from Lancashire in the U.K., Caroline left the IT industry to see the world. After America, Fiji and Australia, she's now a bona fide New Zealand resident, back for her seventh season in the Abel Tasman. Caroline trained as a cook on Kerry Packer's elite Carlton Hill Station in Western Australia before bringing her practicality and flair to our Lodges.

John and Dale Managing the Governor's Bay Hotel on the Banks Peninsula (outside Christchurch) initiated John and Dale into hospitality. Dale was born and bred in the Nelson region and met John (expat Englishman)15 years ago when he was supervising on the hop farms of Motueka. John's daughter, Margo, had worked at Torrent Bay Lodge back in the1980s when John Wilson was captain of the Vista Cruise. Looking to continue their role as hosts in a beautiful setting led them to hosting in our Lodges.

Fleur Devine Fleur was born in Motueka and lived for 13 years in Westport where her jobs included being a horse trekking guide. After 18 months based in Auckland as a flight attendant, it was time to come home where she attended a Women's Explorer course at our local outdoor education centre, Whenua Iti. From there, she heard about the job working at our Lodges in the Park.

Sarah Bradshaw Story to come

Blair Taylor Blair was born in Dunedin where he worked as a heavy machinery operator. He came to Motueka in 2007 to introduce his son, Parana, to the place of his ancestors. (Parana was the paramount chief of iwi living along the coast from Watering Cove to Puketawai, near Motueka). As a 60th generation New Zealander, Blair's ancestors include all 7 iwi at the top of the South Island. Trained as a Kayak Guide, this is his first season working in the National Park.

Edita Vihanova The wine of New Zealand attracted Edita from her home in the Czech Republic, after she graduated as a wine maker in Austria. New Zealand has been her home since 2007. She is enjoying a summer by the sea before returning to Central Otago for the autumn vintage.

Administration & Reservations

Darryl Wilson As eldest son of company founders, John and Lynette Wilson, Darryl represents the 7th generation of his pioneering family's association with the Nelson region. Starting as a Guide in the National Park, Darryl completed his Marine Engineering apprenticeship in Nelson and helped his father build the family's Lodges on the Abel Tasman coast. He now concentrates on his role as CEO and Marketing Manager for the family business.

Sandra Williamson A graduate from Lincoln University, our Sales & Marketing Assistant has a B. Com Tourism degree, majoring in Marketing & Management. Growing up in Hanmer Springs, with years of working in the local cafes, led to her leasing a cafe when she moved North to Golden Bay after finishing her degree. She ran the cafe in conjunction with running a sharemilking partnership. Setting up and operating the new Golden Bay Information Centre for Latitude Nelson followed before her passion for travel saw her return to live in Switzerland, Germany & Holland. A love of the region and tourism industry drew her back to take up the position as manager of the Motueka i-SITE and run the Abel Tasman Booking Desk, before Wilsons were able to lure her from the i-SITE office to their own. Sandra recently had a baby daughter, Brooke.

Leeson Hislop As our Chief Financial Officer, Leeson brings a world of experience to our Motueka Office. Although he was born in Palmerston North, he is an international citizen with a B.Com and MA gained over 10 years in Australia followed by 10 years in London and Italy. He now calls Ngati Moti (Motueka Valley) home and when he's not looking after our finances, he calls himself a "No.8 Wire Specialist".

Lucy Hodgson Born in England and brought up in Australia, Lucy feels well qualified to be a Kiwi. Between working as a marine biologist and scientific editor in Australia, 9 years teaching skiing in Queenstown, France and Canada, and 6 years as Press Officer for the Queenstown ski areas, she has fitted in 15 seasons as a Track Guide on the Hollyford, Milford and Abel Tasman tracks (not all at the same time!). As Media Co-ordinator and Track Guide for Wilsons Abel Tasman, watch out for her best-seller, yet to be published.

Tamai Gooms Our Reservations Team Leader is a Southland lass, born in Invercargill. After working 2 seasons on the cruise boats in Milford Sound she took a road trip around the South Island in 2005. She fell in love with the Nelson area and never left. The variety of people she has the chance to meet and work with attracted her to the tourism industry.

Heather Buys Heather went adventuring after she had raised her family of 3 children in Collingwood (Golden Bay). She lived in the Wairarapa (North Island) for 5 years, working at the Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre. Moving back to Golden Bay, Heather was office manager for Latin Link Adventure in Pohara before graduating with a Certificate in Travel and Tourism from Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. In 2008, she moved to Tasman and brought her experience to our reservations team in Motueka.

Simon Guppy Hailing from York in England, a holiday in New Zealand in 2002 was enough to entice Simon over here to live in 2005. In England, he was a loch keeper on the Thames River, beside the Tower Bridge, London. After 4 years working in retail in Auckland, a holiday to Nelson initiated another move in 2009. Simon now lives in Motueka. When he is not helping our visitors to book the best holiday in Abel Tasman National Park, he helps his partner raise their daughter, Ava, born in February 2009.

Emma Smith Working in Reservations for All Ways Pacific in Buckinghamshire, England, Emma was treated to a couple of industry familiarisations in New Zealand, including a trip with us into Abel Tasman National Park in 2007. During the trip, at Torrent Bay Lodge, Emma's English boyfriend asked her to marry him. They liked the region so much, they returned to Motueka to live in November 2009.