Meet The Team
Meet The Team
Meet the team! Our team of tour guides are passionate about the West Coast and excited to show you Lake Mapourika and the rainforest and riverbed of Franz Josef Glacier.
Joe – Lead Skipper
Hometown: Christchurch AKA ChurChur!
Best thing about being a guide: Getting to share our passion for this incredible environment.
Why Franz Josef: Escape of the big smoke.
Motto you live by? “Grass is always greener on the West Coast”
Dale – Owner-operator
Hometown: Lots of the South Island… from Stewart Island to Dunsandel
About Dale: Dale started guiding on the Franz Josef Glacier at 18, with a dream of one day owning his own guiding company. Now he gets to do just that, sharing the place he loves with visitors from around the world.
Max – Kayak Guide
Hometown: Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Best thing about being a guide: Getting paid to kayak and meet new and interesting people!
Why Franz Josef: It’s summer here and winter back home.
Motto you live by? “Honesty is the best policy“
Briar – Senior Reservations & Kayak Guide
Hometown: Up North where it’s warm!
About Briar: From an intern who was “the bubbly girl that greets everyone” to a senior reservations team member, to a kayak tour guide. Come and meet Briar on the lake, or in the office!
Brooklyn – Senior Quad Guide
Hometown: Sunny Nelson
About Brooke: I’m Brooke and I’ve been here quad guiding for a few years, I also help our mechanic in the workshop from time to time. The best thing about the job for me is helping people enjoy the wild West Coast!
Marcel – Quad Guide
Home Country: Netherlands
Best thing about being a guide: Getting outside all day everyday!
Why Franz Josef: To be in a rugged tropical rainforest.
Motto you live by? “Go with the flow”
Award Winning
Team Culture
Our team brings warmth, humour and a genuine passion for our environment to every tour. They enjoy working together, look out for one another, and make visitors feel welcome from the moment they arrive. We think that shows in our customer feedback. Recently, we were proud to win the People First Award at the Development West Coast Leading Light Business Awards this year, after being named an Employer of Choice finalist at the Tourism Industry Aotearoa Awards last year.