The team here at Hiking New Zealand wish you an enjoyable festive season and a new year filled with lots of fun and adventures.
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The Year That Was 2012
We have had a relatively settled year this year at Hiking New Zealand - I think we all needed one. The earthquakes, Rugby World Cup and the merger with Active Earth in 2011 required lots of energy so we have relished a less eventful twelve months, although we did squeeze in a reccie pack- horse assisted hike. We are now spending our time and energy on planning celebrations for our 20th year in business. It is hard to believe that Mark started the business 20 years ago in February. We are kicking off our celebrations with a unique Which Way the Wind Blows Safari, it only seems right that Mark guides this safari. This is a 100% flexible itinerary that will be determined according to where the weather is best. As one past client (who fell in love with NZ and moved here) said "It is amazing watching how different the weather can be on each side of the Southern Alps and your "which way the wind blows" Safari is a stroke of genius!" We will have a series of celebratory one off trips throughout the year to commemorate this milestone. If you do not receive our newsletters visit our website and sign up so you can stay informed of the celebrations.
2012 For The Office Team
 Glenys Erskine – Sales and Administration: The Five Passes tramp Glenys completed over Easter was the absolute highlight of the year for Glenys. For six days she traversed passes, reached summits and followed routes (no tracks for this girl). It wasn't all South Island hiking this year. Glenys joined one of our Volcanoes and Rainforest Safaris at the end of last summer and finally got to hike in Tongariro National Park.
Jax Lee – Sales & Marketing: Jax has worked tirelessly this year on various branding projects. The latest safari map brochure is such an amazing resource and an absolute visual feast that they are disappearing from the NZ travel agent shelves faster than we can get them there. Jax will be joining nine other young entrepreneurs in attending an Entrepreneurship Development Program at MIT in Massachusetts in January. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is funding the study in recognition of Jax's Southern Cross Truffles enterprise.
Mark Brabyn – Director: It is renovations all round as Mark is going to spend the summer working on his house in Lyttelton. Mark made the most of the time before his youngest child, Matai, started school as they both headed off for a month long campervan holiday. Father and son enjoyed lots of great hiking, camp fires and tall stories!
Malcolm O’Neill – Director: Malcolm has spent a large portion of the year project managing some rather large renovations on their family home in Auckland. Malcolm has also been working on a New Zealand wide safari that will be launched as part of the 20 year celebrations.
Anne Murphy – Director: A two week trip to Borneo was the perfect break from the New Zealand winter for Anne. Lots of walking, swimming, orang-utan encounters and she couldn't help but take a few notes about the travel habits of those around her. It is always good to be on the other side of the fence and be the traveller and not the agent/operator.
 Daniel Murphy – Director: No home renovations for Daniel but he has completed some landscaping - creating a peaceful retreat with lots of native ferns, pungas, flaxes and grasses. The highlight of the year for Dan was his trip to Mongolia where he journeyed on horseback amongst the vast mountainous ranges and galloped through lush meadows. Watch the 20 year celebrations for a possible hiking tour to Mongolia.
Have a happy and safe Christmas and if you need any help any assistance is planning an adventure in Aotearoa please don't hesitate to give our helpful team a call.
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