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.

Paul MacDonald

Once you sign up for a trip, Paul will be handling all the details of your trip until you come down. Paul and his family emigrated from the UK to New Zealand in 1992. Having spent most of his life now in New Zealand he is extremely proud to be a Kiwi. Paul has lived and travelled the length and breath of the country and is very familiar with the varied culture and landscapes. He is here to pass on that knowledge – answering any and every question you may have about your upcoming ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND trip. Remember, there are no dumb questions, so fire away!

Mike Searchfield

Mike's been with us for years as a guide, but these days he takes care of the logistics that make your trip run smoothly. He's a keen hiker, cyclist, skier, fisherman and scuba diver with an enviable collection of stamps in his passport. A testament to his patience and professionalism is that he holds the record for guiding the slowest Milford Track walker in history - 18.5 hours for just one of the four days!