Guides play a huge part in a small group tour of New Zealand. Their attention to detail, knowledge, sense of humour and leadership can make a good holiday a great one. At MoaTrek, all of our guides are experts in their fields; and many of our clients tell us that their guide had a huge impact on how much they enjoyed their tour with us. But what makes a great guide? Read on to find out.
When we select a MoaTrek guide, we look for those with a genuine passion for all things New Zealand. This type of passion shines through every day on tour and helps visitors to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Kiwi. The backgrounds of our guides range from volunteer fire fighters to ex-high school principals and keen hikers and gardeners. They’re all ‘quintessential’ kiwis – friendly, warm and embracing, they’ll put you at ease from the moment you’re picked up from the airport.
Here’s an insight into the background of two of our guides, Matt and Ron. Between them, they have 40 years experience in driving and guiding tours around New Zealand and their sense of humour and love of all things New Zealand is infectious.
Matt Lysaght
Keenly interested in the natural and cultural history of New Zealand, Matt especially enjoys showing our visitors the special, secret parts of New Zealand that others simply don’t get to see. His passion for history and Maori culture helps visitors to gain a deeper, more meaningful understanding of all the places they visit on tour. Matt’s love for the beaches, forests, walks and gardens that are included in the MoaTrek tours he takes means that working as a guide is a real pleasure. The storytelling abilities Matt has honed over the years help to paint a picture of the kiwi way of life for all of our visitors; and his thirty-years of driving and guiding experience means that his attention to detail and knowledge of the best experiences on tour are second-to-none.
Ron Bowen
Friendly, witty and personable with a great sense of humour, Ron loves to have his clients smiling and laughing every day on tour. His love for New Zealand natural history and photography shines through with each destination visited; and clients enjoy a fascinating but light-hearted commentary of each of these places. On Ron’s tours, visitors leave as friends – his warm nature and passion for showing off New Zealand means that many of his tours get to see a side of New Zealand culture that’s a little off the beaten track. Ron’s 14 years experience as a volunteer fire fighter and 10 years experience in driving and guiding tours helps you feel safe and looked after the entire time.
Over the next few months, we’ll help you get to know more of our passionate MoaTrek guides – they’re what make a MoaTrek small group tour truly unforgettable.
We offer a range of different itineraries throughout New Zealand on our small group tours. Find out more on our website, or contact us directly.
