Jaclyn Hunt

Born and bred in New Zealand, this land, its people and its food are my number one passion! Guiding for me is not a job but a lifestyle, and one that I’m absolutely STOKED to be living everyday! I can’t help smiling all the time because I simply love what I do. So even when I’m not guiding you will find me getting amongst it in the great outdoors.

I studied Adventure Tourism focusing on whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, sea kayaking and hiking and have been working in the tourism industry for the past 7 years, including starting up my own road trip company for backpackers when I was 21. Being a sunshine follower has led me to work on luxury charter boats in the Caribbean, backpacking around the northern coast of Australia and adventure guiding throughout Samoa –  but nothing beats a New Zealand summer and it always brings me home.

As spring rolls around again I start getting excited about all the people I am going to meet, the food that’s going to be eaten and the places to be explored! I can’t wait to meet you all and take you on the trip of a lifetime.

"Jaclyn has excellent people skills and helped me get my lost luggage from the airport! She made me feel so at ease and was so genuine. She has such an enthusiasm for the beauty of New Zealand, which certainly drove us to the top of each summit we encounterd. What must also be stated is her unbelievable talent for producing the most amazing food! Her meals were outstanding, so well presented and contained some real New Zealand delights! Amazing!"
-- Kathryn Billing (Redruth, Cornwall, United Kingdom) October 2011 Rimu

"Jaclyn made the trip a culinary delight. She served us wonderful and healthy breakfasts and dinners. She is amazing!"
-- Katy Ghiasi (New Brighton, Minnesota, United States) April 2011 Rimu

"Jaclyn's enthusiasm, especially in hiking up to Sealy Tarns when we two were not sure of our ability, was fabulous! She was always positive, upbeat, and loads of fun. "
-- Colleen Mcevoy (Seattle, Washington, United States) November 2010 Guide's Choice: Hoiho

"What a wonderful spirit and warm light that she exudes. She possesses a great desire for adventure and incredible love of life. Her smile never wavered and she was so warm and open with everyone. She was an awesome cook too!! I told her I was going to abscond with her back to Iraq so she could keep me well fed!"
-- Helen Toney (United States military) October 2010 Rimu

"The guides, Grant and Jaclyn, were great fun, very informative, thoughtful and encouraging -- couldn't have had better. She was never without a smile. She was having fun and made the trip fun for everyone else. "
-- Michael Smith (Lansing, Michigan, USA) March 2010 Kauri

"She was fantastic. She stayed behind with Kate and me, the slow ones, and actually taught me a better way of hiking up the steeper slopes. She was just easy going and seemed like she didn't have anything else she was supposed to be doing. She was terrific with my food issues. I had several food preferences and allergies so probably made it difficult for Jaclyn but she was great! She never served anything that didn't take me into consideration. I don't know how she did it but I never felt like the outcast. Just a most likeable young lady... very mature for her age. "
-- Val Beaudry (Kennewick, Washington, USA) March 2010 Kauri

"Jaclyn was very good. She always had a smile on her face, and was enthusiastic at all times. We liked her very much."
-- Dave Covey (Mill Valley, California, USA) February 2010 Tui

"Jaclyn was an excellent co-guide, a fantastic chef, and always had a great attitude! We always had delicious and creative meals with great variety! Even the meals on our backpacking trip were fantastic! We want to commend Jaclyn for doing such a great job balancing everyone's food preferences and preparing every meal in a very timely and efficient manner. She was always very friendly and accommodating with any special requests or needs our group had. Jaclyn had endless patience and enthusiasm from the beginning of our trip to the very end! "
-- Elise Mink (New Canaan , Connecticut, USA) December 2009 Rimu

"She ensured we were well fed (plentiful and 5-star quality food!!). She got involved with the group, whether this be making flowers out of vines on one journey or just staying back with the tail enders on the hikes, she made us all feel very welcome from first arrival to the day we left. A big thank you to Rowan and Jaclyn... they made the holiday a memorable one!"
-- Matt Garwood (Germany) December 2009 Rimu

"Fantastic! She was so much fun, and although she had a lot of responsibilities and duties, she really related to the group and you could tell how much everyone loved her! She was always happy, cheerful and making the group laugh. "
-- Robin Matsko (Albany, New York, USA) November 2009 Rimu

"Jaclyn was loads of fun with tons of personality. Her constant smile and engaging laugh were enjoyed but all of us. Jaclyn worked very hard to make our trip a success and the food was very good, especially considering that the conditions weren't always easy for cooking for 12 people. The music was a plus too. "
-- Carrie Matsko (Boise, Idaho, USA) November 2009 Rimu

"Jaclyn was great. She is very warm, funny and kind. She cooks like a dream and is very passionate about New Zealand. She shared her love for New Zealand music and botany and culture."
-- Julie Moews (Carlsbad, California, USA) November 2009 Rimu

"Jaclyn really made the trip for me. It was great to have a really easy-going, enthusiastic person to welcome you to the dining table, who also was passionate about New Zealand (and its music). She never seemed to lose her bounce."
-- Alex Holmes (London, United Kingdom) November 2009 Rimu