Our Guiding Team
We are well qualified as well as passionate about our region.
We choose passionate staff from all walks of life, although most of our team have extensive outdoors experience or an adventure tourism background and bring a lot of skills with them.
Our rigorous guide training programme takes several weeks before our new guides begin an apprenticeship with senior staff. Training, reviews and assessment are ongoing for all staff, no matter how long they've been in their role. All of our guides complete first aid training before they are able to lead a group and carry a first aid kit with them on each trip.
All our guides hold their HIG (Hard Ice Guiding) certification or are working towards it. This certification is conducted through the internationally recognised New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA). Our business along with other New Zealand glacier guiding companies were key drivers in developing the glacier guiding qualifications pathway, in collaboration with the NZMGA.
Each day prior to the first commercial tour, our guides inspect the glacier and cut large step-lines and walking tracks. As you pass through the unique terrain and impressive ice formations our experienced guides will be monitoring your movements carefully, ensuring that you are always safe on the ice.
Meet Our Guides
-
Maya
Hailing from the local hapu, Mahaki, Maya is no stranger to Tai Poutini. Growing up along the coastline in Hunts Beach, Maya has a strong affinity for her takiwā. Working for the Department of Conservation for three years she has a strong knowledge of the flora and fauna and a passion for natural medicines. After hosting meaningful people on her Marae, she soon turned her head to guiding finding a new love for the ice-filled valley that Franz Josef has to offer. Maya loves sharing a story or two, which generally leaves her guests in fits of laughter.
-
Amy
From swinging an axe to operating a chainsaw, you will not find a harder worker than Amy. Carrying a lot of pride in her work, Amy has advanced herself within her Glacier Guiding career at an impressive rate. Working within nature was not new to Amy, who has done a great deal of outdoor work from mustering cattle on horseback, to volunteering on Kapiti Island researching native Hi Hi (Stitchbird). Some would say Amy's quick wit almost outweighs her knowledge when it comes to having fun on the ice with her manuhiri.
-
Abbey
Born and bred in Franz Josef Glacier, Abbey hails from our local iwi (tribe) Ngai Tahu. Passionate about where she comes from and working within the local community, Abbey is a fantastic guide and great ambassador for our local wharekura (school).
You can expect the highest level of care when on Abbey's trips, and a depth of knowledge about our local history and culture.
-
Tom
Originally from Australia, Tom moved to Aotearoa in 2022, chasing higher peaks and new adventures.With a background in rock climbing, biking, and even data science, Tom brings both passion and expertise to the team. He’s currently working toward his Hard Ice Guide qualification and has completed top of his group in advanced avalanche training.When he is not training or showing you our natural wonder, Tom is planning mountaineering trips throughout the Southern Alps, bike-packing, climbing, and spending time with his best friends.
-
Jule
Jule is your friendly local nerd and aspiring adventure therapist. She’s a geographer and social scientist who discovered that the best way to learn and teach is to get out of the lecture hall! Jule has worked with communities managing the effects of climate change and loves the opportunity to share the uniqueness of Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere with people from all walks of life.
She sees every day on the glacier as a possibility for a new perspective on life for every person she has the privilege of guiding. If she’s not on the glacier, she’s out honing her skills in the outdoors, foraging plants, learning te reo or following her latest curiosity!
-
Michael (Rookie)
Rookie moved to the Coast from Motueka and started working as a guide in 2010, he was looking for a cool job for the season, fast forward a few years he is now one of our most experienced Guides. He instantly fell in love with the ruggedness of the West Coast and met his wife, Brooke, guiding on the glacier. Her dad started Franz Josef Glacier Guides in 1990. Michael is a passionate climber and loves nothing more than being amongst the peaks at the back of the glacier.
He's a self-proclaimed nerd, so when the climbing is no good, he spends his time doing art, watching Star Wars and playing video games.
-
Cale
You will likely find Cale paddling down a West Coast river or skiing high up in the neve of the glaciers. His heart lies within the West Coast bush and will be the first to identify the unique flora and fauna of the local area. His favourite aspect of glacier guiding is meeting people from every corner of the world, whilst sharing common ground with them. If you are lucky enough to have him as your guide, you will learn about the history of the Franz Josef area and how the pioneering guides have led us to the path we follow today.
-
Drew
Hailing from North Carolina, Drew fostered a taste for the outdoors and moved West to Alaska where he developed a passion for glacier guiding. As a Lord of the Rings fan, he flew to New Zealand to explore the infamous peaks home to Mordor. On his roadie he came across Franz Josef Glacier and found his new home! Fun fact, he can play the violin! Some also say he looks like Brad Pitt…