Meet Our Team

Andrew Fairfax

I started ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND in 1996. I originally trained to be an attorney at Otago University Law School in Dunedin, graduating with a BA in Political Studies and an Honours degree in Law. I discovered after a few months at a major New Zealand commercial law firm that I'm not really interested in life behind a desk, and promptly quit. I then decided to follow my life-long passion for the outdoors, and began working as an adventure guide. After working for other companies for several years, I decided to put into practice all the lessons I learnt working for other people. ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND was the result.

I am an enthusiastic pilot, and a keen musician. As ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND has grown, I've carefully selected a small team of guides to lead our trips and had to get used to spending time behind a desk again. But I still get out and drop in on trips as much as possible, and hit the road periodically on my bike to scout out locations for new trips. I'm a great fan of exercise induced endorphins, and I am very proud to lead such a first-class team of adventure travel guides as you'll find running our trips. I am committed to running the best physically active trips you'll ever find in New Zealand, or for that matter, anywhere in the world!

Jodi Narbey

When you call us, you’ll most likely reach Jodi, a true Kiwi chick who's passionate about her home country! Having travelled and worked in many beautiful and interesting places in the world, including a long stint in the USA, Jodi knows exactly what it is about New Zealand that makes it so special. Give her a ring any time for a local’s perspective on putting together the perfect adventure vacation in New Zealand!

Matty Yates

Matty works with Jodi to help people from around the world plan their trips to New Zealand. Originally hailing from the UK, he came down to New Zealand at the tender age of 18 and spent a few years chasing the winters between New Zealand and North America, snowboarding in places like Banff, Canada and Breckenridge, Colorado, before settling down in Queenstown. When he's not organising trips for people, he can be found enjoying the New Zealand outdoors - hiking, snowboarding, or taking the boat out on Lake Wakatipu for some wakeboarding or fishing.

Lynette Warmington

Once you sign up for a trip, Lynette will handle all the details until you come down. She’s been in the ACTIVE family since 2003 and is a true veteran; first guiding for several years and more recently managing our trips behind the scenes. Lynette has spent three seasons ski instructing in California and has travelled throughout Europe, England and Australia. She’s also worked as a raft, canoe and hiking guide on the North Island of New Zealand. Nowadays based in the Queenstown office, Lynette relishes taking her adorable daughter, Sara, on family adventures and getting out mountain biking, skiing or tending her veggie garden. With so many years on the road under her belt, we’re pretty confident Lynette can answer any and every question our travelers fire her way!

Jon Singleton

Jon takes care of logistics and works with our guides behind the scenes to make sure each trip runs smoothly. He's a fifth generation Kiwi with over 25 years of tourism experience -- from guiding expeditions in Africa to managing in Australia - so it's always "no worries". After travelling extensively, these days he prefers camping with his family and getting out on his mountain bike.